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Horrell Engineering

Name: Horrell Engineering
Address: 126 Victoria Street, Ashburton, NZ
Telephone: +64 3-308 7695

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Horrell Engineering, 126 Victoria Street, Ashburton.

27/05/2026

We’ll be closed this Friday for an extended Kings Birthday weekend break. We’ll be back on deck and ready to help from Tuesday!

08/05/2026

📸 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.

24/04/2026

📸 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.

21/04/2026

🏆 Celtic Squash Club Update 🏆

Our Summer League has wrapped up for another season — congratulations to Alps Continuous Spouting & Horrell Engineering for taking out the 2026 Celtic Squash Summer League title! 👏

During the break between Summer and Winter League, we’ve been busy behind the scenes. Our social room has had a fresh repaint and brand-new carpet installed, helping keep our clubrooms a warm and inviting space for all our members.

A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors for coming back on board for 2026:
EuroAgri, J & N Hedgetrimming, Mastercraft Kitchens NZ, RMF Silva Lawyers, McCrea Painting & Decorating, Robbie's Under Car Specialists, Horrell Engineering, Kirsty Clay - Property Brokers Ashburton, Alps Continuous Spouting, Catalyst Performance Agronomy, McKain Quality Construction and Studio 108 Co .

It’s thanks to your ongoing support that we’ve been able to keep our subs consistent and continue investing back into our club. Please support these businesses whenever you can 🙌

📅 Don’t forget — our tournament is coming up at the start of May! Come along, support the players, and check out the renovations.

Best of luck to everyone heading into Winter League — bring it on! 💪

05/04/2026

Great day for racing at the go kart nationals

03/04/2026

No Flashback Friday this week, but we’d like to give a shoutout to the Ashburton Family Go Kart Club!

They’re hosting the National Championships this weekend at Le Bretons Road, Ashburton. If you’re looking for something to do, be sure to check it out.

Kart racing has always been a big part of our story. It goes right back to the 1960s when Cliff raced during the early days of the club. Blair also raced through his late teens and has had a few attempts to get back into it over the years - though a blown motor and other commitments have kept getting in the way!

We’re proud to be sponsoring the 0–130cc 2-stroke class and wish all competitors the best of luck for the weekend.

26/03/2026

📸 Flashback Friday – The Machines Behind the Work

As part of our 75 year celebrations, this week we’re shining a light on the machines that have kept Horrell Engineering running for decades.

Much of our machinery was purchased new in the 1960s and 70s and it’s still going strong today. From our reliable Colchester lathe, to the big Stanko Russian lathe, and everything in between - including what was once state of the art, the Dean Smith & Grace lathe.

Not a lot has changed in the workshop since the 80s - and we might look a bit retro - but these machines have stood the test of time for a reason.

With the help of quality measuring equipment and good old fashioned dials (no digital readouts here 👀), we continue to produce precision machined parts and reliable engineering work every day.

Sometimes the old ways are still the best ways.

22/03/2026

⚙️ Fitter/Turner Wanted – Horrell Engineering, Ashburton

Are you a keen fitter/turner looking to change things up? Come join our small but mighty team working in beautiful Mid Canterbury!

At Horrell Engineering, we’ve been delivering top-notch machining and repair services for over 75 years. We take pride in quality work, great customer service, and a good laugh along the way.

What we can offer you:
✅A huge variety of work - from agricultural implements and irrigator parts to obsolete car and motorcycle bits. No two days are the same!
✅Competitive pay with regular performance reviews
✅Monday to Friday workshop hours (no weekends or callouts!)
✅Flexible working hours or 3 - 4 day weeks for the right person
✅A positive, down to earth team with a boss who gets his hands dirty and enjoys a good yarn

What you’ll be doing:
Boring and keying, gear making, spline cutting, general machining, shaft turning and threading, milling, and lathe work - all to precise measurements and technical drawings.

What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience as a turner or machinist (qualified preferred, but experience is key)
- Solid knowledge of machining processes and materials
- Great attention to detail and pride in your work
- Good communication skills and a team mindset
What you’ll get:
- Competitive pay based on experience
- Support from an experienced team
- A well-equipped workshop with quality precision machines
- A workplace that values your skills and input

🕗 Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday to Friday
📍 Location: Ashburton, Mid Canterbury
🇳🇿 Applicants must be based in NZ with a current work visa or residency

How to apply:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Or call Blair directly on 027 404 9532

20/03/2026

📸 Flashback Friday – The Work Truck

As part of our 75 year celebrations, this week we’re looking back at a true workhorse of the early days - our original International D15 truck.

Purchased on 7 December 1950 from the Midland Dairy Co-op for £315, this truck was transformed by Cliff Horrell into a fully equipped mobile workshop.

Fitted with a compressor, gas plant for welding, and drawers packed with tools and fittings, it became the backbone of the business, travelling from farm to farm carrying out repairs on tractors, combines and implements.

It didn’t just serve the local area either. The truck made trips as far as Woodbourne to wreck aircraft, and later carried go-karts to race meetings all around the South Island.

As the business evolved more towards in house machining, the truck was eventually retired. In the early 2000s, under Kerry’s ownership, it was restored and has been carefully stored ever since.

These days, Blair would love to see it back out on the road again and on display at shows in the future.

A big part of our history, and maybe still part of our future.

Address

126 Victoria Street
Ashburton

Telephone

+64 3-308 7695

Website

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