Jared Sherburd's connection to the world of fencing goes back many years, thanks to his father being a fencing contractor for most of his life. “Growing up, school holidays and weekends often meant being out on fencing jobs with dad,” Jared recalls, “so, I’ve always had a bit of an affinity for it.”
Jared’s initial career path, however, took a thrilling detour into motorsport as a race car mechanic. He worked with Supercars in Melbourne, even traveling the world with Porsche. “It was an exciting life,” says Jared, “working towards one goal with a team of really driven individuals. It taught me a lot.”
The global halt brought on by COVID-19 ultimately led Jared to explore new avenues back in New Zealand. With his father's background, the fencing industry was a natural fit. “We saw a gap in the market in Hamilton for an outlet that made it easier for installers to get their products,” he says. In 2021, Modern Fence Supplies officially opened its doors, focused on supplying prefabricated fence panels and components to the local market.
“We’re an importer of some of our products,” but we also manufacture custom gates too.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, his background in race car mechanics lends itself well to fabrication. “The attention to detail and engineering precision I learned in motorsport are highly transferable,” he says. “Being precise and double-checking everything you do is crucial.”
What truly sets Modern Fence Supplies apart is their problem-solving expertise with custom gates and one-off items. “We love talking one-on-one with customers to figure out the perfect solution for them,” he says. This often involves guiding customers through the design process, asking the right questions to narrow down their vision, and showcasing previous projects. “Many people just have a vague idea, so we help them bring it to life.”
A family affair and future ambitions
Jared credits his wife Danielle as an integral part of Modern Fence Supplies' success.
“I couldn't really do without her. Her organisational skills keep everything in line. She ensures we get all the dimensions and measurements right so we're not second-guessing anything, and she keeps everything running smoothly.”
For Jared, the most satisfying aspect of his work is the problem solving that goes into the trickier jobs. A particular point of pride is a six-meter cantilever gate he engineered and installed for a residential property in Hamilton. “The whole gate floats three meters above the ground when open – it's quite a sight!” he enthuses.
His advice to young people considering a career in fencing or starting their own business?
“It's hard yakka, but if you put in the work now, you'll gain the rewards later in life.”
While the industry is still largely dominated by the “old guard,” Jared says there’s a growing number of younger managers and installers entering the field, bringing a fresh, “get in and get it done” attitude.
When it comes to the products he supplies, Jared is a strong advocate for D&D Technologies' gate hardware.
“It's a well-known, trusted brand,” he says.“Everyone knows the name, so you don't have to sell it to anyone. People come in specifically asking for D&D.”
Still in his early thirties, Jared has ambitious plans for Modern Fence Supplies. “Our goal is to be alongside the three or four big companies in New Zealand,” he says. Having quickly grown the awareness and the reputation of Modern Fence Supplies in just a few short years, Jared’s goals are well on their way to being realised.
