{"id":11297,"date":"2020-04-01T09:04:46","date_gmt":"2020-04-01T09:04:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flarefires.com\/our-story\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T19:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T07:12:27","slug":"our-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/flarefires.com\/en_ca\/our-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"
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our story<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

Established 2001 by Torrey & Sue Hilton<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>
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Torrey Hilton, Founder: <\/span>“Creating a place to gather with our family was the desire that birthed the first Flare Outdoor Fireplace.<\/p>\n

Every year promises more convenience. More technology. More ways to save time. Yet somehow we find ourselves with less of it.<\/p>\n

The greatest moments in our lives don\u2019t happen by accident. They happen because someone decides to stop the momentum, light a fire, and bring people together. That was the challenge we knew well. As the directors of Kiwi Ranch, New Zealand’s largest Christian camping facility, we had learnt the importance of fire in the creation of connection. When it came time to do this for our own family, we took inspiration from fires we’d seen in our travels. The South African Braai, the Croatian Peka and the Argentinian Grill. We wanted something that could cook like that, but also stand like a piece of art.<\/p>\n

I built our first prototype in the summer of 2001. Whilst it was very functional, Sue insisted my second attempt be far more attractive. I built that first fire out of masonry, partly because of its permanence and clean modern lines \u2014 but also because concrete is a storehouse of heat.<\/p>\n

People loved it!<\/p>\n

Soon after designing that first fire, I started planning for ways to cook on it. With Sue’s help we developed a fully integrated cooking system: pizza, rotisserie, grill, smoker \u2014 all working together, seamlessly.<\/p>\n

Whilst not everyone wants to cook on their fire, having the option to do so is really important from our perspective. We want our customers to have every opportunity to create connection, gather friends, or simply provide a space that kids and grandkids want to be.<\/p>\n

So welcome to Flare Outdoor Fireplaces. I know the team will look after you! Every fire we’ve made since 2001 carries the same invitation: stop the momentum, light the fire, and be the one who brings everyone together.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Torrey & Sue Hilton, Founders<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

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Local Company to International Kiwi Brand<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>
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Mike Edwards, Business Partner | CEO<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

“Hi, I’m Mike Edwards the CEO of Flare Outdoor Fireplaces. In 2016 Torrey gave me the not so little challenge of working out how to export our large, heavy concrete outdoor fireplaces \u2014 and build an international business. Whilst our team is still working it out, we are loving the challenge!<\/p>\n

Flare is a New Zealand company and on top of ensuring we deliver world-class service to our New Zealand customers, we are enjoying doing this for our international clients too.<\/p>\n

We care a lot about our brand. It’s why we don’t just export raw concrete blocks. We are exporting a reputation. To do this well we are using more of our own people in our offshore bases, which include Australia, Canada and the United States of America.<\/p>\n

Below are just a few of the team that make it all happen. There’s also a few photographs to give you a sense of our factory. If you have any questions, just reach out to the team, the’y be happy to help!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

New Zealand Team<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>
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Karen Mackie | 2IC<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Conrad Wanoa | Operations<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Stephen Wood | Head of Sales<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Kristin Vermeulen | Logistics<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Blair Reeves | Operations<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Sam Edwards | Sales<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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NEW ZEALAND FACTORY<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>
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Drone shot showing the southern yard – by Phil Johnson<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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PHOTO FROM THE NORTH<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>
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Highlighting the newly expanded northern yard, previously used to graze livestock<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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