Proudly 3rd generation family-owned general engineering business with almost 50 years in the marketplace.
In 2000 Lew retired and his son Donald bought into the business. Donald, a qualified Fitter Turner, slowly grew the business and in the 25 years under his ownership, the focus moved away from wire projects into general engineering and maintenance work. This was finally reflected in a change of name to Johnsons Wireworks & Engineering – more recently shortened to JWEngineering. The business continued to prosper and in 2023 relocated from its original home in Eye Street, Invercargill, to a larger and better equipped workshop at 249 Bond Street, Invercargill - its current location.
Sadly, in May 2024 Donald passed away suddenly and his son Mike stepped into the leadership role. Mike had a good grounding in the business having worked alongside his Dad on and off since he was a teenager and then full-time since 2015 when he took up a full-time position as an engineer. More recently he had been in the office with his Dad learning the ropes with a view to taking over later in 2025.
Mike’s focus now is to continue to move the business forward utilizing his own unique skill set, to maintain the core family values upon which it was founded by his grandfather in 1975, and to uphold our reputation for always delivering quality products and service.
Lew Peterson bought the business in 1975 when he moved the family to town.
A truck driver for most of his working life Lew bought with him a keen interest in “knowing how things work” along with the drive and determination to make the business prosper. Although not formally trained Lew was a natural tinkerer and engineer who worked hard to grow the business.
Originally called Johnsons Wireworks (after the previous owners) the business primarily manufactured small wire products – like lamp shades and wire telephone seats – coupled with some light engineering work.