About Us / History

Tirau Earthmovers Ltd. is a local, privately owned company that has been serving farmers, the dairy and timber industries, councils, and many more for over 50 years. The family owned-and-operated business has grown from its humble beginnings as one man with a single truck to the point where we now run a comprehensive fleet of trucks, excavators, rollers and earthmoving plant.

You don’t survive 50 years without a great reputation, and the Tirau Earthmovers of today continues our company’s proud history of outstanding workmanship, honesty, and integrity.

Our company history stretches back to the 1940s, when Alan Hole returned to the Waikato from World War II and as a sole trader with one truck worked for the Public Works Department. In 1957 as the company grew, Alan Hole Limited was formed. Soon Alan’s business had expanded to the point where he was operating three bulldozers. William Ensor bought the company in 1960 when Alan retired. The company continued as Alan Hole Ltd. at 34 Main Road, Tirau, until 1964 when it was renamed Tirau Earthmovers Ltd.

Tirau Earthmovers operated from the Main Road, Tirau, site until 1972, when the office was relocated to 18 High Street. A workshop was used in Pitt Street, Putaruru between 1972 and 1990.

In 1985 William’s son Steve joined the business, and in 1990 the company purchased the State Highway 1 site in Putaruru, which finally became a single location from which the business could base its entire operation.

Since moving to the State Highway 1 site, we have gradually expanded workshop, storage and other facilities as demand required (and as finances allowed!)

Steve bought the company from his retiring Dad in 2003 and has continued as Managing Director since. His own 4 sons are all currently working for the business, and sister Karen has also been working there since 2001 as Finance & Administration Manager. We can confidently say we are definitely a family business!

Tirau Earthmovers have a current field staff of 20, all of whom are fully experienced in their roles.  Several operators have been with the company for over 30 years.

Steve Ensor, Managing Director comments that “another very important part of our business is the guys employed – the truck drivers, machine operators and maintenance staff. We have had a core group of guys with us for a long time now and that makes a huge difference in knowing that any job is going to be done to a certain standard.” 

• Truck and trailer units and bottom dumper

• Transporters for excavators, bulldozers, etc

• Track and wheel excavators from 3 to 23 tonnes, fitted with rock breakers and buckets, root rakes, and standard weed buckets

• 12H grader and rollers for road race and drive construction

• Small trucks for local deliveries or working in confined spaces