The Airflow Story
We are Uniquely Airflow
Precision in Every Cut, Perfection in Every Design

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Built on Family, Backed by Experience

Airflow Engineering (SI) Ltd — known simply as Airflow — is a Christchurch-based family business specialising in HVAC solutions, custom manufacturing, sheetmetal fabrication, and precision laser cutting.

Established in 1988, we support installers, builders, manufacturers, and homeowners with practical advice, reliable service, and quality products made for real-world applications.

We believe in a straightforward way of doing business. We earn customers through the way we work, not by taking them for granted. That means treating people with respect, patience, honesty, and clear communication.

We are small enough to care about every job and experienced enough to take on projects of all sizes. Our customers rely on us for practical knowledge, consistency, and a genuine willingness to help.

Our Founder

Airflow was founded in 1988 by Derek Thompson as Derek Thompson HEVAC Sales, originally supplying filters and heating elements. In 1992, the business became Airflow Engineering (SI) Ltd.

Derek built the company on strong relationships, trust, a handshake, and doing what you say you will do. Those values still guide the business today.

In 1994, Derek passed away after a battle with cancer — a significant loss for both the family and the business.

Following this, his daughter Cherry stepped in to lead the company. Through resilience, hard work, and consistency, she carried the business forward and laid the foundation for what Airflow is today.

Cherry has now led the business for over 32 years, continuing the values her father started while guiding Airflow through decades of change and growth.

A Family Business Moving Forward

Airflow has always been family-driven.

2003 — Cherry's husband Kevin joined as a director, managing warehouse operations and light manufacturing.

2021 — Their youngest son Chris became a director and part-owner, bringing fabrication expertise and expanding Airflow's workshop capability. Chris established the sheetmetal division and developed the company's in-house manufacturing capacity.

2021 — Eryn, Chris's wife, joined the business in administration, supporting the day-to-day operations of the company.

2023 — Alex, Cherry and Kevin's eldest son, became a director and part-owner, strengthening sales, business development, and the next stage of growth.

2025 — Kevin retired from his role at Airflow and as a director, while remaining involved as a legacy shareholder.

With the next generation now actively involved, Airflow continues to grow while staying true to the values it was built on.

What We Do

Today, Airflow Engineering combines HVAC expertise with in-house manufacturing capability.

Our products and services include:

• HVAC products and components

• Ducted system design

• Ducted heat pump plenums

• Ducted heat pump zoning solutions

• Fresh air ventilation products

• Ducting and air distribution products

• Custom sheetmetal fabrication

• Precision fibre laser cutting

• Workshop manufacturing and assembly

By bringing design, manufacturing, and supply together under one roof, we are able to provide practical, reliable solutions backed by real industry experience.

Whether we are supplying HVAC components, manufacturing a custom plenum, producing a laser-cut part, or helping an installer plan a ducted system, our focus remains the same: doing the job properly and being easy to deal with.

Our Workshop & Workplace

In November 2026, Airflow Engineering relocated to 20 Abros Place, Burnside, Christchurch, marking an exciting new chapter for our family business.

Our new premises provide the space to bring our HVAC products, warehousing, sheetmetal fabrication, and precision laser cutting operations together under one roof.

With fibre laser cutting, CNC machinery, press brake forming, and a range of sheetmetal fabrication equipment, we continue to invest in the tools and people needed to support our customers.

We've kept the things our customers appreciate:

• Easy access and off-street parking

• A showroom where customers can visit

• Practical advice from people who understand the products

• A friendly, no-fuss way of working

Whether you're collecting an order, discussing a custom manufacturing job, or looking for HVAC components, you're always welcome to visit us.

And yes, the coffee is still on!

How We Work

We keep things straightforward:

• Do the job properly

• Be easy to deal with

• Communicate clearly

• Support our customers

• Stand behind the work

Most of our relationships are built over time, and that is how we prefer it.

We work closely with installers, builders, contractors, manufacturers, and homeowners, providing support without making things more complicated than they need to be.

Looking Ahead

With the next generation actively involved in the business, Airflow is looking towards the future while remaining proud of where we started.

Our move to larger premises in Burnside is another step forward, giving us room to develop our manufacturing capabilities, improve our operations, and continue supporting our customers.

The business has changed considerably since Derek first opened the doors in 1988, but the foundation remains the same: family, experience, practical solutions, and doing right by our customers.