Urban Effects

What Urban Effects does

Urban Effects is a New Zealand-based designer, manufacturer and supplier of commercial street furniture and outdoor infrastructure, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Whanganui — a UNESCO City of Design — with a second manufacturing facility in Rangiora on the South Island. The portfolio spans more than 60 SKUs across seating, picnic and table settings, fixed and removable bollards, public litter and recycling bins, bike and scooter parking systems (racks, lockers, vertical parking), shelters, commercial BBQs, drinking fountains, tree protectors, planters, portable grandstands, accessible outdoor furniture, table tennis tables, and playground equipment, organised into branded ranges including Legend, Metro, Woodlands, Kiwi, Citistyle, Urban Legend, Nazareth Suite, FUNiture, TimberImage and Futurewood finishes.

Core technology centres on heavy-duty fabrication using marine-grade aluminium, stainless and powder-coated steel, hardwood timber, concrete, and reconstituted granite or marble, together with two notable proprietary or licensed technologies: SmartBeam, a solar-powered smart bench integrating LED lighting with Qi wireless device charging; and 3P Technology, a removable bollard mechanism licensed from an external partner and integrated into Metropol and Routiero products. The company also holds exclusive NZ distribution rights for Italian designer-manufacturers Metalco and Bellitalia, providing designer-grade granite, marble and concrete collections.

Commercially, Urban Effects operates a sales-led, consultative go-to-market targeting architects, local and district councils, schools and developers, supported by dedicated outdoor-space specialists on each island and a five-step process from enquiry through to ongoing support. Products are quoted per project with a 40% deposit prior to manufacture and net-7-day payment terms on installation; a smaller e-commerce storefront covers selected stock items. Customer evidence includes named projects with University of Otago, OneSchool Global NZ, Broadway Radiology, Nelson Hospital, Far North District Council and Clutha District Council. The company is privately held, has no disclosed revenue, funding or headcount figures, and serves exclusively the New Zealand domestic market.

Name

Urban Effects

Legal name

Urban Effects

Website

https://urbaneffects.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Urban Effects is a privately held New Zealand street furniture manufacturer founded in 1994, based in Whanganui with a second plant in Rangiora, serving councils, architects, schools, developers and healthcare providers with seating, bollards, bins, shelters, BBQs, bike parking, and related outdoor infrastructure including the SmartBeam solar bench and Italian designer collections.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wanganui

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Street Furniture Sales: One-time sale of manufactured street furniture products including seating, bollards, bins, bike racks, shelters, and outdoor furniture. Products are sold directly to councils, architects, schools, and developers with pricing based on product specifications and customisation requirements.
2. Custom Design Services: Custom design and manufacturing services for bespoke outdoor furniture solutions. Working collaboratively with clients to refine and adapt product designs to meet specific project requirements.
3. Installation Services: Delivery and installation services for street furniture products, with payment terms of net seven days after installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Urban Effects manufactures and supplies commercial street furniture and outdoor space equipment for New Zealand public spaces, including seating, bollards, litter bins, bike racks, shelters, commercial BBQs, drinking fountains, planters, and playground equipment. The company combines local manufacturing in Whanganui and Rangiora with exclusive imports of Italian designer ranges (Metalco and Bellitalia), offering custom design and installation services alongside standardised products. Customers include councils, architects, schools, developers, and commercial clients across both North and South Islands.

Product overview

Urban Effects is a New Zealand street furniture manufacturer and outdoor space specialist offering a broad portfolio of physical products rather than a unified software platform. The portfolio spans multiple product categories including seating (benches, seats, modular benches), picnic and table settings, street bollards (fixed, removable, illuminated, timber), public litter bins and recycling bins, bike and scooter parking (racks, lockers, vertical parking systems), shelters, commercial BBQs, drinking fountains, tree protectors, planters, portable grandstands, playground equipment, and granite/marble/concrete furniture. Key sub-brands and collections include the Legend Collection (modular alloy seating with LED and Qi charging), Woodlands Range (timber/steel combination for parks and schools), Metro Range (marine-grade alloy furniture), Kiwi Range (NZ-made bollards and bike racks), Citistyle Range, Bellitalia organic collection (Italian granite/marble designs), and the Nazareth Suite and Urban Legend Collection. Notable technology features include SmartBeam solar-powered benches with device charging, 3P Technology removable bollards, and LED lighting integrations. Products are targeted at councils, architects, landscape architects, schools, developers, and commercial clients across New Zealand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartBeam Solar-Powered Smart Bench Solar-powered smart bench with integrated LED lighting and Qi device charging (mains feed or standalone solar options) for public spaces in New Zealand.
• Parkvale Pedestal Table Setting Single-leg wheelchair-accessible picnic table with heavy-duty hot-dip galvanised frames and hardwood timber slats, 1.8m standard length, for parks and reserves.
• Parkvale Plus Pedestal Picnic Table Set Enhanced version of the Parkvale pedestal table with upgraded features for parks, reserves, and rest homes.
• Dana Picnic Set Outdoor picnic table and bench combination suitable for parks and public spaces.
• Liffiton Table Setting Outdoor table and seating configuration suitable for parks and community spaces.
• Woodlands Classic Pedestal Table Setting Classic timber pedestal table with streamlined design and robust steel frame for parks, reserves, and school grounds.
• Woodlands Deluxe Pedestal Table Setting Premium version of the Woodlands pedestal table with enhanced durability and finishes for high-use environments.
• Legend Epic Curved Bench Curved bench from the Legend Collection featuring modular design with sleek alloy frames, hardwood timber slats, optional LED lighting and Qi charging.
• Legend Epic Straight Bench Straight bench from the Legend Collection featuring modular design, alloy frames, hardwood timber slats, surface or in-ground mount, optional armrests, backrests, Qi charging, and LED lighting.
• Millennium Alloy Seat Classic bench with cast aluminium frames, hardwood slats, stainless steel fixings, surface-mounted for parks, bus stops, schools, and commercial spaces.
• Millennium Timber Seat Timber bench with cast aluminium frame and corrosion-resistant stainless steel fixings for traditional and modern outdoor spaces.
• Millennium Timber Double Seat Extended version of the Millennium Timber Seat providing additional seating with cast aluminium frame and stainless steel fixings.
• Woodlands Classic Park Seat Timber park bench with unobtrusive steel frame and pine timber slats, 1.8m standard length, for parks and recreation clubs.
• Chatterbox Seat Public seating designed for social interaction in parks and urban spaces.
• Legend Curved Seat Curved bench from the Legend range with sleek design and modular options.
• Legend Epic Curved Seat Double Double-width curved bench from the Legend Epic collection with alloy frame construction.
• Harmony Seat White granite conglomerate bench with curved shape, continuous crossing surfaces, seating up to five people, part of Bellitalia Organic Collection.
• Agata Bench HPC (High Performance Concrete) bench with steel central support, available with wood or steel seat/backrest, designed by Alfredo Tasca.
• Austen Seating and Planters UHPC trapezoidal element usable as flower box or wood seat, with optional LED lighting, designed by Metalco Department.
• Lorenz Modular Bench Modular seating collection made of reconstituted granite or marble with integrated wooden seat, including short seat (1000mm), long seat (2200mm), and Y-shape configurations.
• Metro Seat Marine grade alloy playground seat with three-step powder coating, reinforced extrusions, available in 1.8m, 3.0m, and 6.0m lengths.
• Liffiton Seat Customised hardwood seating for parks and public spaces.
• 3P Metropol IRK Bollards Cast aluminium cylindrical bollard with 3P Technology removable option or fixed in-ground installation, 870mm height, for urban metropolitan areas and CBDs.
• Urban Removable Bollards Heavy-duty stainless steel or galvanised steel bollard, 900mm high, allowing quick removal for access control in parkscapes and streetscapes.
• Urban Bollard Hi-Viz Stainless steel bollard with reflective strip for enhanced safety, surface-mount or removable options, NZ-made.
• 3P Routiero LED Illuminated Bollard Cast aluminium cylindrical lighting bollard with LED, IP66/67 protection, 870mm high x 98mm diameter, low 24V voltage for reduced electric shock risk.
• Coaster Timber Bollard Classic timber bollard made from treated radiata pine, customisable height and size, 150x150 nominal.
• Kiwi Bollard NZ-made bollard in 76mm, 114mm, or 140mm steel tube diameters, 900mm standard height, with surface mount, in-ground, or removable options.
• Urban Bollard Simple stainless steel bollard for urban landscapes and parks.
• Smeraldo Bike Rack Spiral bike rack with ends made from granite or marble stones, protected steel tube spiral, 370mm high x 2140mm long.
• Kiwi Bike Rack 5-berth bike rack with hot-dip galvanised steel frame, double-sided access, designed for NZ conditions and tyre types.
• Carters Bike Rack Modern square steel frame bike rack available in powder coated, galvanised, corten, or stainless steel finishes.
• Citistyle Semi Hoop Bike Rack Single semi-hoop bike rack in stainless steel or hot-dip galvanised steel, AS2890.3:2015 compliant, double-sided access.
• Reset Bike Rack Double-sided architectural bike rack using 40mm steel tube on cast aluminium feet.
• E3VR-45R 45 Degree Vertical Bike Park Angled vertical bike rack reducing wall extension by 25%, AS2890.3 (2015) compliant, heavy-duty steel, front wheel cradling design for indoor or covered areas.
• ST-H Dynamic Bike Rack – High Post Dynamic upper-tier bike rack with gas assist lift for double-tier systems, requires 2700mm minimum ceiling height, ceramic powder coat finish.
• ST-L Dynamic Bike Rack – Low Post Low-post dynamic upper-tier bike rack with gas assist lift, requires 2400mm minimum ceiling height, pairs with ST-H for 400mm spacing.
• CBL-DT Class A Double Tier Bike Locker Security Level A two-tier locker for two bikes, AS2890.3 (2015) compliant, flat-packed for easy assembly, multiple locking options.
• CBL2 Heavy Duty Bike Locker Two-door security Level A bike locker for two bikes with secure divider, quick assembly, multiple locking options, galvanised or powder-coated finish.
• CBLV Light Duty Vertical Bike Locker Single-door vertical locker for one bike with space-saving design, Security Level A, light-duty version for indoor applications.
• Legend Litter Bin Double NZ-made rectangular litter bin with powdercoated alloy frames, 90L capacity per container, available in hardwood timber, TimberImage, or steel deluxe door options.
• Legend Litter Bin Triple Triple-bank litter bin with 3x90L capacity, NZ-made with powdercoated alloy frames.
• Yes Litter Bin 100L litter bin with 45-degree sloped cover, steel frame, spring steel blade slam-lock, available with vertical timber slats or steel doors.
• Tulip Litter Bin – Corten Steel 70L litter bin with steel petal design on stainless steel base, available in corten steel, stainless steel, or powder-coated steel finishes.
• Coaster Timber Rubbish Bin Hardwood timber exterior bin with galvanised steel frame, 100L capacity, customisable timber and powder coating options.
• Pack Recycling Bin Metal sheet litter bin in 50L or 100L capacity, fixed and openable door with triangular lock, optional ashtray.
• Doggy Doo Tilt Bin 30L tilt-action bin for pet waste with galvanised liner and simple tilt mechanism for easy emptying.
• Spencer Bin – R – Rectangular 65L rectangular litter bin in powdercoated steel, corten steel, or stainless steel with stainless steel base.
• Spencer Bin – Round, Stainless Steel Cylindrical litter bin in 80L or 120L options, all stainless steel construction.
• MODO60 Steel Double Tilt Bin Double tilt bin with 60L galvanised liners, powder-coated steel body, HD stainless steel slam locks.
• MODO100 Stainless Steel Double Tilt Bin Double tilt bin with 100L capacity, stainless steel body, galvanised liners for tough environments.
• MODO100 Timber Double Tilt Bin Double tilt bin with hardwood timber slats, stainless steel covers, 100L capacity.
• Kawatiri Double Bin Enclosure Full aluminium bin enclosure for two 240L wheeled bins with dual-colour powder coat, optional advertising panels.
• Metro Bin Enclosure Aluminium bin enclosure for 240L wheeled bins with stainless steel chute, fire-retardant design, and vandal-resistant lock.
• Citistyle Timber Bin 60L round timber bin with smooth lines and curved edges, stainless steel lid, galvanised liner, 100L option available.
• Fu Cigarette Bin 1.5L steel tube cigarette bin with stainless steel liner and triangular key opening.
• West Iron Litter Bin 55L tilt bin with gas-style key slam lock, 16mm steel support frame, curved design.
• Bund Multi-Stream Waste Station Rectangular bin with 3x80L bag holders and 3x45L inner liners, powder-coated steel, for separate waste collection.
• Neo Shelter – Medium Outdoor shelter structure for public spaces providing weather protection.
• Urban Contour Double BBQ Double electric BBQ unit with easy-access design for public outdoor cooking areas.
• Urban Contour Single BBQ Single-unit electric BBQ with easy-access wheelchair-friendly design and stainless steel preparation bench.
• Hydrate Accessible Drinking Fountain Wheelchair-accessible drinking fountain designed for public spaces.
• Metro Outdoor Learning Table High-pressure compact laminate flat-top table for schools, available in 8-seat or 12-seat models, designed for outdoor eating and classes.
• E3VR-P Mounting Post Galvanised mounting post for E3VR Series bike racks, allows wall-free installation, pre-drilled for alternating heights.
• Legend Collection Modular seating and shelter range featuring sleek alloy frames, hardwood timber slats, and customisable options including LED lighting and Qi charging.
• Urban Legend Collection Collection emphasising style and sustainability in urban furniture design.
• Woodlands Range Classic timber seats and tables combining hardwood timber with robust steel for parks, reserves, and school grounds.
• Metro Range School and park furniture range featuring marine grade alloy construction, available as tables, seats, and learning tables.
• Kiwi Range NZ-made bollards and bike racks designed for NZ conditions and tyre types.
• Citistyle Range Street furniture range including bike racks and bins in various styles.
• Nazareth Suite Seating Suite of seating products designed to connect people and place.
• Bellitalia Organic Collection Organic collection of street furniture including granite and marble products from Italian design, distributed exclusively in NZ by Urban Effects.

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Playground CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company that provides playground equipment. Cross-promotional relationship where Playground Centre is referenced for outdoor classroom solutions. Both companies share expertise in outdoor learning and play equipment.
• MetalcocoreTechnology or IntegrationItalian furniture designer and manufacturer. Urban Effects imports contemporary urban furniture from Metalco, providing access to European design expertise and exclusive product ranges for NZ market.
• BellitaliamajorTechnology or IntegrationItalian manufacturer of the Organic Collection including Harmony seating and other designer pieces. Provides exclusive designer street furniture products through Urban Effects for the NZ market.
• 3P TechnologymajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for removable bollard systems. 3P Technology provides the innovative removable bollard mechanism used in Metropol and other bollard products, allowing strength with versatility.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Landscape Forms: US-based premium designer and manufacturer of outdoor site furniture for public spaces, campuses, and streetscapes. Highly comparable to Urban Effects' premium positioning and design-led product lines (e.g., the Legend Collection and Bellitalia Organic Collection), with overlapping customer base of architects, universities, and municipalities.
• Maglin Site Furniture: North American manufacturer of street/site furniture including benches, litter and recycling bins, bollards, planters, and bike racks for public spaces. Comparable to Urban Effects in product category, target customer (municipalities and institutions), and project-based sales motion.
• Bellitalia: Italian designer/manufacturer of street furniture in reconstituted granite, marble, and concrete, including the Organic Collection (Harmony seating, Agata bench) that Urban Effects distributes in NZ. Directly comparable as a peer manufacturer of street furniture with overlapping product categories and council/architect customer profiles.
• Metalco: Italian designer/manufacturer of contemporary urban street furniture (seating, planters, bike racks) supplied to Urban Effects for the NZ market. Comparable as a peer manufacturer with overlapping premium-design street-furniture products and similar public-sector client base across Europe and beyond.
• Street Furniture Australia: Australia's leading manufacturer of street and outdoor furniture, supplying benches, bins, bollards, shelters, and bike racks to councils, architects, and developers. Directly comparable to Urban Effects in product mix, target customer (local government), and consultative sales-led model, with adjacent geography.
• Dumor: US manufacturer of commercial outdoor site furniture (benches, tables, litter receptacles, planters, bollards) for parks, streetscapes, and campuses. Comparable to Urban Effects' product mix and target customers, with similar project-quote-based sales approach.
• Playground Centre: NZ-based playground equipment provider that is a sister company to Urban Effects, sharing outdoor learning and play equipment expertise. Comparable as a peer in NZ council/school outdoor-furniture procurement, with a complementary (rather than overlapping) product portfolio.
• Streetlife: Dutch designer and manufacturer of high-end street furniture for public spaces across Europe. Closely comparable to Urban Effects' design-led Bellitalia/Metalco offering and consultative architect/specifier sales approach, serving a similar premium segment of public-space projects.

Broad incumbents

• Kompan: Denmark-based global manufacturer of playground equipment and outdoor fitness/public-space solutions for municipalities and schools. Comparable to Urban Effects as a peer in NZ outdoor public-furniture supply, though Kompan operates at much larger global scale with a broader product portfolio beyond street furniture.
• Landscape Structures: US-based designer/manufacturer of playground equipment and outdoor site amenities for parks, schools, and communities. Comparable to Urban Effects' playground equipment category and shared council/school customer base, though Landscape Structures is primarily playground-focused rather than full street-furniture breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/urban-effects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Urban Effects