E. Hayes & Sons Ltd dates back to Central Otago beginnings late last century and has had a presence in Southland for close on 100 years.

The name Hayes is synonymous with farming and engineering and many of the Hayes' inventions can be found on farms throughout New Zealand.

The man who started it all was Ernest Hayes.

With his engineering skills, Ernest developed many inventions. His major achievement was that of the Hayes wire strainer in 1905. The Hayes permanent fence strainer would be on nearly every farm in the country.

Irving Hayes one of the Sons of Ernest opened the Invercargill branch of E. Hayes & Sons in Leven Street in 1934, in premises leased from the Railways Department for 28/6 ($2.85) a week.

Son of Irving and current Managing Director Norman Hayes started with the company in 1942.

"There were only three of us at that time in the old shop. I started as the boy on the bike, sweeping the floor, that sort of thing.

The first part of our present Dee Street premises were built in 1956 and the latest expansions give us  2000sqm of retail space.

Norman's son, Neville, the fourth generation of the family in the business, joined the firm when he left school in 1972 and is now general manager. Like his father, he started "on the bike", then graduated to driving the van.

Neville these days is assuming more and more of his father's duties.

The company today employs about 48.

We believe these small snippets from our past prove our commitment to old fashioned values, quality and service. We have enjoyed being of service in the past and look forward to being of service today and in the future.

Hayes Engineering Ltd was established in the Central Otago township of Oturehua in 1900

This windmill, built in 1909-10, formed the powerhouse for the original E Hayes Engineering firm. Built on an 18-metre tower the sails were 6.5 metres in diameter. The power was taken to the machines in the plant by an ingenious system of overhead shafts, belts and pulleys. Pictured on the Windmill are Gilbert & Irving Hayes

E Hayes and Sons Ltd's first motor vehicle, a 1910 Buick and is still owned by the company today. The company bought the car, second hand, in 1914 for use at its Windmill Works and was used to transport products from the factory to the railway station, about two miles away. Irving Hayes is pictured in the drivers seat.