our story
Pinfold’s is a strong family business with strong family values. We were founded on family. Our founder, Walter, passed the business down to his son Podge, who later passed on the reigns to his own son Steve. Because of this strong history, we’re experienced and well equipped when it comes to transporting your livestock. Give us a ring today.
humble beginnings
Pinfolds started as a horse and cart carrier in Carterton back in 1919 after Walter returned home from the first World War. Walter decided to move off the family farm about 15kms out of Carterton at Ahiaruhe. He then purchased Shaw’s carriers, which had been operating for about 34 years. It wasn’t until 1922 that Walter purchased Pinfolds’ first truck, a Leyland with solid tyres, a four cylinder motor, and carbon lights.
Hard work and mateship
Back in the day we’d make our own trays and anything else required to get the job done. Everything was loaded by hand. Coal, gravel, clay pipes. It was very physical work. The local rugby clubs would even pitch in on occasion to help keep fit.
Steve still remembers his dad, Podge, telling stories of trips out to the coast over hills and dirt tracks. They’d leave at around 4am and get back late at night. And that was just for one load. Back in those days you’d be lucky to travel at 8mph!
It was Podge’s job to to run behind the truck with a block of wood to put behind the wheel to stop it from rolling back down the hill when it overheated. They’d have to sit and wait for the engine to cool down before they could head off again.
STRONG FAMILY VALUES
Podge took over the business until his passing in 2008. A good 61 years at the helm. In that time he saw and made many changes. He believed the reason for the business’ success was a strong family team.
Under Podge’s rein he had three generations of family working for him. Steve started driving in his younger years, and then helping with the running of the business in the late 90’s. Oldest daughter Christine helped out on the beef farm, while other daughters Alison and Maureen worked in the office. Podge’s wife June provided the drivers with morning tea every day and kept everyone in line.
Grandsons Scott and Alan were also part of the family business. With Scott working a driver and then later becoming an owner-driver with his Kenworth, and Alan milking cows on the Company’s Dairy Farm.
Steve’s boys, Troy and Adam, worked after school as the company’s truck washers. Troy now drives one of the feeder trucks and Adam went on to join the NZ Army, serving in East Timor and the Solomon’s. With Walter also serving the NZ Army in WWI and Podge in WWII, it’s only natural that Pinfold’s colours are derived from the New Zealand flag.
The Pinfolds have strong military ties. Daughter Christine was a driver in the New Zealand Air Force and Maureen also served her time with the New Zealand Air Force with her husband Stu. Their Daughter Aleshia has also recently joined up with the New Zealand Air Force. And Steve and Karen’s youngest boy is hoping to sign up when he finishes his last year at college later this year.
NEARLY A CENTURY AS LIVESTOCK SPECIALISTS
In the late sixties Pinfolds fleet grew to around 20 trucks.We transported all sorts of goods back then; fertiliser, wool, and even a beer run for DB. It wasn’t until the mid-70s that we moved to Clareville into the old Animal Enterprises depot. It wasn’t until the late 90’s we started specialising solely in livestock cartage.
Pinfolds still operates from Clareville today. It’s a great location that accommodates everything we need to make the job run as smoothly as possible. We’ve got a huge shed and workshop area, several paddocks to house stock overnight, and well litcovered yards which come in handy when trans-shipping from feeder trucks to the big boys.
The Pinfolds’ community
We’re lucky to have good experienced drivers. One of our longtimers, Caddy, started with us back in 1976 and now drives our smaller feeder truck. Mike started in 1981 and our mechanic, Toddy, started in 1988.
After Podge’s passing in 2008, Steve and his wife Karen took over. They’ve been running the business for six years now and have taken great pride in improving and upgrading our excellent fleet. Along with continuing with the strong family and community values as previous generations did.
At its heart, Pinfolds is built on strong family values and service. People are our greatest asset. Without our experienced drivers and strong community ties, we wouldn’t be the business we are today.
Link to Pinfolds Feature – Wairarapa Midweek
http://issuu.com/apn_mediaservices/docs/celebrating_pinfolds_95_years?mode=window
