About Boeckmann

Boeckmann (NZ) Ltd has been the exclusive New Zealand importer for Boeckmann horse floats and trailers since 2012. We offer personal advice and great after sale service as well as being available to explain the benefits of the Boeckmann manufacturing technology over anything else on the New Zealand market. Based in Katikati in the Bay of Plenty, we always have a variety of horse floats and trailers in stock.

Made in Germany since 1956

It was back in 1956 that Anton Böckmann started his company together with his wife Brigitte. Obviously, there have been many changes since those early days - the workforce of just 4 employees has expanded to more than 400. To this day the vehicle factory has produced more than 500,000 floats & trailers - delivered to customers in 34 countires all over the world. A simple single horse float has developed into a wide product range offering floats, vans and trucks for all equestrian disciplines and demands as well as a range of domestic and commercial trailers. A love and passion for horses, a sensitive awareness of the animals and their needs, together with a wealth of technical know-how were regarded as a key element in the horse float development right from the start.

Leading in safety and innovations

One of Boeckmann’s most important innovations was to have the first horse floats with a fiberglass roof. But many small details that were an advantage for the horses were also developed and implemented by Boeckmann to reduce the risk of injury or simply to make traveling more comfortable. For example the tinted side windows or the height and length adjustable safety stall bar system (Anti-Panic System). Right from the beginning of production in the early 70’s, customers were convinced by the exceptionally high quality workmanship. To ensure this quality in every single model, all of the floats are designed, tested in practice and fine-tuned until they are ready for the market and then manufactured by skilled craftsmen in Lastrup, Germany.

Expanding into trailers

The experience that was gained in the process of developing horse floats was also utilised in the construction of trailers used for general transportation purposes. In the beginning these were intended just as a sideline but this branch has become a full success story of its own with many successful models from tipping trailers to special flatbed trailers for transporting construction machinery.

Horse vans & trucks

Another important line of the business is the production of horse vans and trucks. Here as well, tailor-made is the standard and since the middle of the 80’s Boeckmann has been making vans and trucks for 2 to 10 horses according to customer specifications. These vans not only provide a high degree of traveling comfort for horses, they also provide all of the comforts humans need during a trip: from exclusively equipped kitchens and bath rooms to TV in the living compartment! The reputation of these vehicles has spread all over the world and today many Boeckmann vans and trucks are delivered abroad.

A family affair

“You have to put your heart into the business to be successful in the long run.” This is the philosophy that Anton Böckmann taught his four sons at an early age. Gilbert, Tönne, Klaus and Roger still remember this well to this day. The father ﬁlled his children with enthusiasm for horses and ridin and went on to do everything in his power to support his childrens’ hobby. As the children grew older the ponies had to be transported to riding events. This prompted Anton Böckmann to design his ﬁrst horse float. The foundations for Böckmann Fahrzeugwerke GmbH were laid and are now into their third generation in the family. The brothers are just as succesful with their horse business - Tönne and Gilbert have focused on horse breeding and their training and competition yard. There is one thing that all of the company’s divisions have in common: a passion for horses. Daily life with their own horses has led to numerous product developments that all focus on the horses’ needs. And things will stay this way in future. This is the Boeckmann family’s commitment – for whom, as we know, horses have always been part of the family.