Ritex International was founded in 1985 by a team of former Wrightson Textiles employees, following a management buyout of one of rural New Zealand’s most trusted textile suppliers. Their aim was to carry that legacy forward with a renewed focus on practical, reliable, and locally informed service.

Among the founding team was Peter Rutherford, who took on the role of Managing Director—a position he still holds today. Alongside David Stratford, also still actively involved, Peter has helped steer Ritex through decades of change in industry and global supply chains. The name “Ritex” reflects both WRIghtson and TEXtiles—honouring our roots while forging a new path.

Today, Ritex remains a proudly family-run business based in Nelson, New Zealand. Our nine-person team covers procurement, warehousing, accounts, marketing, customer service, and more. Though small and tight-knit, we operate at scale, supporting a loyal customer base across New Zealand and Australia.

What sets Ritex apart isn’t just the range of textile solutions we offer—but the depth of our expertise. We've built a global network of trusted suppliers so our customers don’t have to and we've evolved with our industries, adapting to changes in technology, regulation, and global sourcing—while staying grounded in the customer-first values we were built on.

\We take the stress out of sourcing, deliver clarity and consistency, and back it all with a team that understands your business.