Frank Brugger

Franz "Frank" Brugger, OBE (7 March 1927 — 27 February 2000) was a New Zealand businessman known for his car parts factory in Wainuiomata and production of a highly efficient wood burning stove. then emigrated from Austria to New Zealand in 1956. After working for Mobil, he set up his own welding business in Petone in 1959. Noting that car assembly plants were required to increase the amount of locally manufactured components, he took the opportunity and built a factory in Wainuiomata in 1970. Wainuiomata at the time was growing rapidly and a number of Brugger's staff already lived there. where he had the honorary title of Toleafoa. By 1983 the company employed 600 staff and had an annual turnover of $20 million. It was also known as the 'Ugly Duckling wood stove' or the 'Pyroclassic'.

In 1985, Brugger received an Air New Zealand Enterprise Award. Brugger retired in 1986 and died in 2000.