ZILCO
The Zilco company has an interesting story spanning time and several countries. Zilco originally started in 1962 as a small business in Sydney, Australia, making lightweight horse racing products in its small factory. The use of synthetic materials for racing tack was innovative and successful. Zilco began exporting its lightweight, durable synthetic horse tack to other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Kuwait, the United States, and major European nations. By the early 1970s Zilco was well known as a top source of synthetic saddlery as well as a wholesaler of other horse products.
The company later moved its manufacturing base to Christchurch, New Zealand when it joined forces with Trist & Small in the early 1980s. The family business of Trist & Small had been making horse tack in New Zealand since 1872. That legacy of expertise and an expanded business operation helped Zilco grow and develop more. Zilco extended its wholesaling operation throughout New Zealand, becoming very popular in the equestrian market for its ingenious designs and long-lasting quality. Zilco continued to grow, acquiring the International Saddlery of Melbourne in 1990 and Gymkhana Equestrian Products in 1997. In 2002, the company launched Zilco Europe, expanding the reach of its products considerably.
Zilco's philosophy has always been that combining innovative design, high tech materials, traditional skill, and efficient manufacturing will result in a quality product that horse owners will seek out and appreciate. Zilco has retained that core philosophy as it continues to develop new products today. Zilco relies on the knowledge and experience of equestrian specialists from a variety of riding disciplines as well as continual market research to determine its newest products and innovations. Here at Mary's Tack, Zilco is well represented with our Western endurance tack. The Zilco biothane synthetic bridles, reins, breastplates, and other strap goods come in a variety of colors and styles to suit the long distance rider's needs. With Zilco, horse owners know they are getting a product that has decades of research and innovation built in, with the quality and durability that makes it an outstanding value.
