Our Journey

The owners of Inline Group – the Forrest brothers – come from a contracting background in construction and forestry. Our “get stuff done” mindset has shaped how Inline looks today.

Some key moments in the history of Inline Group include:

1992
Forrest Contractors was founded.
2002
The second generation entered management to reinvigorate the family business.

Forrest Contractors re-branded as Inline Marking, primarily focusing on providing a spectrum of line marking services.
2004
Inline Marking acquired Works Infrastructure Gisborne’s road marking division.
2005
Inline Marking expanded into road sweeping services with a new Johnson sweeper truck and sweeper tractor. Initially to provide a complete post-seal service to the roading company re-sealing teams, going on to win the Gisborne District Council street sweeping contract.
2007
Our new, industry-leading, highway road marking equipment was designed and built.
2009
Inline Marking re-branded as Inline Group to reflect the expanding nature of services provided – now including crack and joint sealing, and coloured surfaces.
2010
Continuous excellent service was rewarded with resecuring long-term contracts for all road marking requirements in the East Coast region, under NZTA and local council maintenance contracts.
2012
The third generation of the Forrest family joined the management of Inline Group, allowing for further business growth.
2015
Inline Group expanded into roadside vegetation control and was awarded a contract as a key supply partner to Downer in their Western Region Noc contract.

Accreditation Health and Safety and Environmental standards were added to our existing ISO Quality accreditation, and we also achieved the ACC secondary accreditation.
2016
Inline Group diversified into roadside drainage services, adding excavators and trucks to the fleet, enabling us to carry out culvert renewals, side water channel maintenance, and storm damage repairs.
2017
Our water jetting crew was set up for culvert flushing services.

We expanded our premises into the yard next door to accommodate our quickly growing fleet of modern equipment and machinery.
2018
The acquisition of ArborCare Tree Company, a leading tree care company in the East Coast region, gave Inline Group the capability to broaden its service portfolio and expand its customer base in the roading maintenance sector.

Upgraded our Johnson sweeper truck.
2019
Refreshed the brand of ArborCare Tree Company to be cohesive with our existing Inline Group brand.

Added a new hydroseeding unit to the fleet – the first in the East Coast region to provide efficient, reliable application of grass to large unstable areas.

Won the rural delineation contract, installing roadside marker pegs across the East Coast region.
2020
Obtained a post driver to add guardrail installation capabilities to our existing excavators and our ever-growing list of services we provide.
2022
Inline Group won the Vegetation Control and Line Markings contract for the Gisborne District Council.

The third generation of the family brought out the business to continue as a reliable, responsive resource to clients across the region.
2023
Inline Group worked alongside Downer to open and maintain our roads during the ongoing Cyclone Gabrielle aftermath.

With the recent string of weather events, a new culvert flushing unit was added to the fleet to strengthen our service of culvert flushing, an essential service for maintaining positive water flow.
2024
Inline Group assisted with the extraction and safe stockpiling of over 5,700m³ of large woody debris from the Waimatā River, between Monck Road and McNaught’s Bridge — a high-risk area impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.

This work helped protect key infrastructure from future flood events and supported recovery efforts in one of Gisborne’s most affected catchments.

OUR CLIENTS

Inline Group are a very competent and safe contractor, with proven ability to get the job done. They understand their work impacts our customers… always looking for the best outcome for the region. Photographic evidence is provided for all maintenance works, and our internal quality checks always produce satisfactory results. From programme preparation, service delivery and claiming, Inline Group give us no issues at all.

Director Community Lifelines, Gisborne District Council
Inline Group has always demonstrated reliable quality in their work. They consistently fulfil commitments, ensuring all tasks are completed to the required standards and specifications. They provide clear evidence of completed jobs and implement comprehensive Inspection and Test Plans on projects as needed. Their leadership has shown a commitment to transparency and embraced opportunities for improvement.

Gisborne Branch Manager, Fulton Hogan
They’re highly reputable and do a good job every time.

Tairāwhiti Roads
They’re quick, efficient, and really reliable.

Downer, Gisborne
Always willing to accommodate my requests even at a moments notice. The work is always to a very high standard and staff are always polite.

Fulton Hogan, NZTA State Highway Maintenance
They turn up when you want them to, and they do what you want them to do.

Gisborne Airport
They always do what they say they’ll do and to the correct standard and specification. Inline Group are ISO accredited (14001) which demonstrates a genuine interest in protecting their environment and is clearly evident in their risk assessment process. Inline have continued to invest in new plant & equipment and training for their team to keep up to date.

East Coast Regional Manager, Downer
Inline Group consistently invests in training and modern equipment to ensure their team and systems remain up-to-date. Inline Group’s approachable nature and understanding of the contract from the outset made them easy to work with… consistently acting in the best interests of the project. When unexpected budget cuts arose, they responded by offering practical value engineering solutions for the maintenance specifications.

Gisborne Branch Manager, Fulton Hogan
Appreciate the level of work done and the willingness to do the work. Great reporting – Head Office very happy with report sent on work to be done.

Harvey Norman, Gisborne
A partner of choice with good systems and reputation.

QRS, Wairoa
Inline Group understand our needs and clearly have very high expectations around quality. We have a very collaborative partnership. Inline understand our contractual requirements and responsibilities and through effective communication including regular in-person meetings, we have absolute comfort that their works are delivered to ensure their reputation, and ours, are of upmost importance. Inline Group are a safe pair of hands.

Contract Manager, Fulton Hogan
Have consistently received good service and appreciate the flexibility shown when urgent jobs occur, also able to communicate effectively… to achieve best results for Downer, Inline and our Clients.

Downer, Gisborne