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Whangarei Engineering Company
DescriptionThe Whangarei Engineering Company was officially registered in 1909 with Mr Frederick Foote, Mr Percy Reynolds and Mr Colin Bissett each owning a third share. The company had its beginnings in Foote and Bissett's engineering workshop in Whangarei. Mr Foote was involved in the timber industry. He wanted to build more efficient log haulers. Mr Reynolds was a skilled engineer. Mr Bissett, previously Foote's millwright, became the company secretary and managed the finances. They built a foundry and commenced business in 1908 not far from the Whangarei wharf in Walton Street. By 1910 they employed nine men and in 1912 they extended their work premises to 40 feet by 10 feet. The engineering work included timber mill equipment, small-gauge running stock, log transport devices, installing boat engines, erecting navigation lighting and dredge repairs, etc. They built 37 log haulers, designed by Reynolds and known as Foote Log Haulers.
In 1913, the company became the franchise owners of Ford. They sold and maintained cars and tractors from their base in Walton Street. Frederick Foote owned the first car in Whangarei which was a terrifying sight for horses, the main form of transport at the time.
Foote died aged 62 in 1914, but the business continued and thrived.
During the First World War, the company was producing munitions and servicing naval patrol craft.
In 1922 they became the sole agents for Moffat-Virtue milking machines, satisfying the demand from dairy farmers to automate their milking sheds.
Percy Reynolds retired in 1925 and died in 1940.
In 1962, the company split into four wholly owned subsidiaries; Whangarei Engineering Motors Ltd, Whangarei Engineering Refrigeration Co. Ltd, Whangarei Diesel and Precision Engineering Ltd and Whangarei Engineering and Construction (WECO).
In 1913, the company became the franchise owners of Ford. They sold and maintained cars and tractors from their base in Walton Street. Frederick Foote owned the first car in Whangarei which was a terrifying sight for horses, the main form of transport at the time.
Foote died aged 62 in 1914, but the business continued and thrived.
During the First World War, the company was producing munitions and servicing naval patrol craft.
In 1922 they became the sole agents for Moffat-Virtue milking machines, satisfying the demand from dairy farmers to automate their milking sheds.
Percy Reynolds retired in 1925 and died in 1940.
In 1962, the company split into four wholly owned subsidiaries; Whangarei Engineering Motors Ltd, Whangarei Engineering Refrigeration Co. Ltd, Whangarei Diesel and Precision Engineering Ltd and Whangarei Engineering and Construction (WECO).
Known Date(s)
Date Established1907Date Ceased1962
Date Ceased1962Relates to
Clippingshttps://wdc.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/2178?highlights=WyJlbmdpbmVlcmluZyJd&type=all&keywords=engineering#idx27830ObjectsWhangarei Engineering Company Ltd.
ObjectsWhangarei Engineering Company Ltd.Further Information
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Whangarei Engineering Company. Northland Room Digital Collections, accessed 13/11/2026, https://wdc.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5492
