Horrell Engineering

📸 Flashback Friday – The Building

As part of our 75 year celebrations, this week we’re looking back at the building that has been home to Horrell Engineering since 1951.

Long before it became our workshop, the site had already built a strong engineering history of its own. Dating back to the 19th century, it originally operated as a blacksmith and wheelwright business under Childs & Sons. By the 1920s it had also become a garage, complete with a petrol bowser out the front.

Cliff purchased the property in 1951, using it as the base for the business while carrying out agricultural servicing and mobile repairs around Mid Canterbury. Over time the work gradually shifted more towards engineering and welding, and as the business grew, more and more precision machinery filled the workshop.

The building was extended and adapted over the years, but much of it still looks remarkably similar to how it did in the mid 1970s.

Now in 2026, after 75 years of Horrell Engineering, the old place has had a bit of a glow up with fresh paint, new signage, and the next chapter beginning with our engineering supplies store.

Some things change, and some things stay proudly the same.

📸 Flashback Friday - Kerry Horrell

As part of our 75 year celebrations, this week we’re remembering Kerry Horrell.

Born into the business, Kerry grew up around the workshop - starting at a young age cleaning up and gradually moving on to the odd machining job. After leaving school, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the RNZAF as an engineer.

When he returned home, Kerry came back to Horrell Engineering, and met and married Nicky. Together they raised four children, with the workshop continuing to be a big part of family life. Many will also remember Kerry for his signature haircut and moustache, a familiar sight both in the workshop and around town.

Kerry took over the business in 1990 and played a key role in growing the pulley and sprocket side of the business. He was also one of the first in Ashburton to adopt a computer based invoicing system - complete with dot matrix printer - which he stuck with right up until Blair took over!

Kerry passed away after a brief illness in 2020, but his influence on the business and the people around him remains a big part of Horrell Engineering today.

Great day for racing at the go kart nationals