Industrial dust extraction systems, designed and built in New Zealand
If you’re looking for an industrial dust extraction specialist who will understand your application, design the right solution, and stand behind their work - you’re in the right place. DUSTEX is a New Zealand-owned engineering company specialising in industrial dust extraction systems, industrial fans, and air pollution control.
Founded in Auckland in 2009, the DUSTEX team designs, manufactures, and installs solutions for clients across a wide range of industries throughout NZ - from large-scale industrial plants to smaller, specialised applications.
Every system is engineered specifically for the application. Every installation is backed by the team who designed it.
Our story: How DUSTEX came to be NZ's dust extraction experts
DUSTEX was founded in 2009 by Ken Skinner, a mechanical engineer with 50 years of engineering experience spanning industrial ventilation, filtration, and dust collection. The business was built on a straightforward proposition: that clients in need of industrial dust extraction systems deserve direct access to experienced engineers, and solutions designed specifically for their application rather than adapted from a standard catalogue.
Since then, DUSTEX has built a reputation across New Zealand as a practical, client-focused team with the engineering capability to handle complex projects as readily as smaller, specialised jobs.
Clients include Fonterra, NZ Steel, Winstone Wallboards, AgResearch, and Graymont - alongside a broad range of manufacturers, processors, and industrial operators from Northland to Southland.
In 2015, DUSTEX expanded its operations by acquiring Industrial and Commercial Fans Limited (ICF) - a company with origins dating back to 1993 and an established reputation for the supply of axial and centrifugal fans to New Zealand industry.
The acquisition extended DUSTEX's capability to cover the full spectrum of dust control and air filtration requirements, and means that fans can be supplied as standalone items or as integrated components of a complete industrial dust extraction system - making DUSTEX one of the most comprehensively equipped dust extraction companies in New Zealand.
Ken Skinner
Director & Senior Design Engineer
NZCE (Mechanical), Auckland University of Technology
Ken has been solving mechanical engineering problems for 50 years, with hands-on experience across industrial ventilation, filtration, and dust collection.
His career began as a draughtsman with the New Zealand Post Office, and over the following decades he built expertise across increasingly complex engineering disciplines. As a project engineer at ABB Fläkt NZ, he delivered paint finishing systems for Mitsubishi, Honda, and Toyota, and industrial drying systems for the pulp and paper industry. Sixteen years as Engineering Manager at Filtercorp International followed, overseeing filtration and dust collection design, R&D, project management, and commissioning across a wide range of industrial applications.
Ken founded DUSTEX in 2009, and acquired Industrial and Commercial Fans Limited in 2015, giving DUSTEX the capability to design, manufacture, and supply complete industrial dust extraction systems and fan solutions from a single Auckland base, for clients throughout New Zealand. At DUSTEX, he has designed and delivered solutions for clients across manufacturing, food processing, mining, and heritage applications.
He still takes the technical lead on complex projects - so when you call DUSTEX, there's a good chance you'll be speaking directly with the engineer who designed your solution.
Outside work, Ken can usually be found on or near the water - sailing, kayaking, or fishing - or playing guitar in a covers band.
Perry Mundell
Director & Senior Design Engineer
BBA (UNISA) | DipPM (Damelin) | DipChem (Intec College)
Perry has been working in dust extraction and air pollution control since 1997, and managing engineering and capital projects since 1995 - experience that spans both the technical and commercial sides of complex industrial projects.
His career began at Mikropul, where he spent almost seven years managing turnkey engineering projects, before moving into project engineering roles at McAlpine Hussmann and Filtercorp covering ventilation, air conditioning, and dust extraction and air pollution control systems. He progressed to Engineering Manager at Filtercorp before joining DUSTEX as co-director in 2015. His experience with larger engineering firms gives him the capability to manage both large industrial projects and smaller, specialised ventilation systems.
At DUSTEX, Perry co-leads the business alongside Ken Skinner, and is actively involved in the design and delivery of industrial ventilation, dust extraction, and air pollution control systems. His role covers system design, industrial fan selection, project management, client liaison, and overseeing projects through to commissioning.
Perry brings both technical depth and commercial pragmatism to every project - a combination that comes from nearly 30 years in the industry and qualifications spanning engineering chemistry, project management, and business administration. His goal is always a solution that is practical, reliable, and straightforward for the people who use it every day.
WAYNE HOPKINSON
Project Manager & Estimator
Wayne Hopkinson has been part of the DUSTEX story since the very beginning. When Ken Skinner founded DUSTEX in 2009, Wayne - alongside his business partner Peter Johns - played a key role in supporting the fledgling company from their sheet metal workshop in Warkworth, providing fabrication expertise and practical encouragement during its formative years.
Following the sale of that business, Wayne held management and supervisory roles across several sheet metal workshops, deepening his industry knowledge and leadership experience over many years.
Rather than stepping away from work entirely, Wayne chose a gradual transition into retirement - continuing to contribute his skills and experience to DUSTEX in a flexible capacity. It brings his journey with the company full circle.
ANDRE SKINNER
Draughtsman & CAD Modeller
Andre first worked with DUSTEX before taking time out to travel and explore other opportunities - an experience that broadened his perspective before bringing him back to the team in 2025. His return was a welcome one, and having previously worked with the business he settled back in quickly, drawing on his existing knowledge of the work and the people.
His primary focus at DUSTEX is draughting and CAD modelling, alongside contributing to day-to-day operations.
Outside work, Andre is a qualified audio engineer and multi-instrumentalist - he plays drums and bass in local cover bands, and performs solo on guitar and vocals at venues throughout the district.
The principles we build every solution around
Engineering integrity
Every system we design is engineered specifically for the application, with the right solution for the job.
Direct access
When you contact DUSTEX, you speak directly with the engineers who design and build the systems.
NZ craftsmanship
Designed, manufactured, and supported right here in New Zealand, by a team that stands behind every installation.
Practical problem-solving
Every site is different, and every DUSTEX solution is designed around your specific constraints, space, and budget.
Why choose DUSTEX for your industrial dust extraction systems?
Design and engineering capability
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Standard designs:
DUSTEX maintains a range of standard industrial dust extraction systems, components, and filters to meet most applications - available for fast turnaround where a custom solution is not required.
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Customised solutions:
Where equipment needs to fit around existing industrial dust extraction systems, or where a special function is required, DUSTEX excels at designing and manufacturing components to meet those specific constraints.
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Collaborative design service:
DUSTEX works alongside your own design engineers when developing specialised equipment, so that the result fits your requirements precisely.
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3D modelling:
All design work is modelled in 3D, giving you a clear picture of the proposed solution before manufacture begins.
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Retrofits:
Retrofitting existing dust and fume extraction systems is often less disruptive and more economical than full replacement - and it is an area where DUSTEX has extensive experience.
How we work
Direct access to senior engineers
When you work with DUSTEX, you’re talking directly to the engineers who design and install the systems. There are no sales representatives or intermediaries - just direct access to experienced people who understand your problem.
Ease of service is a design priority
Every DUSTEX system is designed with serviceability in mind. Because the team services equipment themselves, they understand what is involved and build that knowledge into every design from the outset.
New or used equipment
Many clients need to work within tight budgetary constraints. DUSTEX is happy to supply new or used equipment - when available - to suit your needs.
Our commitment
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Manufactured in New Zealand:
The industrial dust extraction systems designed and manufactured by DUSTEX are made in New Zealand. This means a higher quality product, from a local supplier who is accountable for their workmanship and stands behind every installation.
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Nationwide service:
DUSTEX works with industrial clients throughout New Zealand, from Northland to Southland.
Industries we work with
DUSTEX works with industrial and commercial clients across more than 20 sectors throughout New Zealand - if your operation generates dust or fumes, there is a good chance we have worked in your industry:
- Asphalt production
- Blast freezing operations
- Boat building and composite works
- Cement, lime, and aggregate plants
- Chemical plants
- Construction, including plasterboard manufacturing
- Consulting engineers requiring specialist solutions for their clients
- Fertiliser and feed processing and manufacture
- Food manufacturing and dairy processing plants
- General nuisance dust
- Glass manufacturing
- Grain storage and processing
- Metal industry: aluminium smelters, foundries, steel mills, and galvanisers
- Mining
- Paint manufacturing and spray booths
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetics
- Recycling plants
- Rubber and plastics
- Timber, joinery, wood processing, and paper plants
- Wine production.
Industrial dust extraction systems and equipment we supply
DUSTEX designs, supplies, and installs a comprehensive range of industrial dust extraction systems and related equipment. Our product range includes:
- Industrial ventilation systems
- Industrial fan supply, repairs, and replacement
- Filtration
- Dust collectors and mobile dust collectors
- Diverter valves
- Bag dumps
- Ducting
- Cyclones
All equipment is available as part of a fully engineered, installed system or as individual components to integrate with your existing setup.
Professional services
Beyond the supply and installation of industrial dust extraction systems, DUSTEX offers a range of professional engineering services for clients who need more than a product - they need expert advice, analysis, and project delivery.
These services include existing system evaluations (airflow testing, performance reporting, and recommendations), project management, design services including manufacturing drawings and custom designs, 3D printing, and rapid prototyping.
See our industrial dust extraction systems in action
The best way to understand what DUSTEX does is to see it. Here’s a selection of case studies from across our client base:
Industry Membership
DUSTEX is a member of ASHRAE - the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. ASHRAE is one of the world's leading professional bodies for engineering standards in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and related disciplines.
Membership signals a commitment to staying current with international engineering standards and best practice - directly relevant to the design of industrial dust extraction systems and ventilation solutions.
Frequently asked questions about DUSTEX
Where is DUSTEX based, and do you work outside Auckland?
DUSTEX is based in Rosedale, North Shore, Auckland. The team designs and installs all equipment from its Auckland workshop and installs and services industrial dust extraction systems for clients throughout New Zealand.
How long has DUSTEX been operating?
DUSTEX was founded in 2009 by Ken Skinner. The company acquired Industrial and Commercial Fans Limited in 2015, extending its capability to cover industrial fans as well as dust extraction and air pollution control systems.
Does DUSTEX design and supply its own equipment?
Yes. Every industrial dust extraction system supplied by DUSTEX is designed in-house by the DUSTEX engineering team, then manufactured to those specifications locally in New Zealand. Because DUSTEX controls the design process from end to end, quality is maintained at every stage, and the engineers who designed your system are the same people who oversee its delivery and installation.
What industries does DUSTEX work with?
DUSTEX works across more than 20 industries, including food manufacturing, cement and lime production, metal processing, timber and joinery, pharmaceutical and cosmetics, mining, recycling, and chemical plants, among others.
Can DUSTEX work with my existing equipment?
Yes. Retrofitting existing dust and fume extraction systems is often more economical and less disruptive than full replacement, and it is an area where DUSTEX has extensive experience. The team is also happy to evaluate your current system and provide recommendations before any work begins.
How do I get started?
Call 09 948 1664 or email sales@dustex.co.nz. You will speak directly with one of the DUSTEX engineers, who will ask about your setup and requirements before recommending a solution.