60 Years of Service: The Remarkable Story of Bob Dalley

It’s not every day you celebrate a team member clocking 60 years with the business, but then again, there’s no one quite like Bob Dalley.

Born and raised in Putaruru as one of 16 children, Bob’s early years were defined by humble beginnings and a strong work ethic. With little money to go around, Bob’s drive to succeed was sparked early, both in life and on the cricket field. As a fast bowler for his school team, he once bowled out none other than Black Caps legend Bert Sutcliffe during a school coaching visit. The feat made it into the local paper and proved to be a surprising turning point in his life.

Shortly after, the Matamata regional cricket team came calling. Around the same time, Bob turned 15 and was eager to start earning. Ken Reid, founder of Matamata Machinery & Exchange, needed help and Bob moved to Matamata in 1965 to take on the role.

Bob’s work ethic quickly showed. But like many young men, he also had an eye for opportunity. After spotting a hay contractor with flash vehicles and promising returns, he left Ken’s business to give haymaking a shot. Unfortunately, the venture crumbled within weeks, with unpaid wages and even a repossessed car to show for it. Humbled, Bob returned to Ken who hired him back, but at half the previous wage. A tough but formative life lesson.

Soon after, Jack Harrison, a local farmer who liked the Yardmaster pump invented by Ken so much, he joined forces with Ken Reid to expand the Yardmaster pumps sales. The company became Reid & Harrison in 1968.

By 1980, with Jack having sadly passed away and Ken nearing retirement, two long-time employees approached Ken about buying the business. Ken agreed, but only if Bob Dalley was part of the deal. And so, Bob, along with Graeme Umbers and Bob Wilson, took over the company.

Bob and his wife Pat put in countless extra hours by working evenings and weekends and juggling side jobs to fund their share of the buy-in. By 1989, Bob Wilson exited the company, and Graeme offered Bob the opportunity to take full ownership. With Pat by his side again, they made it happen. Bob Dalley became sole owner of Reid & Harrison.

Their children, Seaton and Sharleene, recall family holidays that often included detours to deliver pumps. Work and family life were inseparable, but they made it work. Seaton eventually joined the business in 1994, but only after working elsewhere (including running the local bike shop) to learn the ropes. Seaton started sweeping floors and learning all aspects of the business from the shop floor.

Bob never officially stepped away. While Seaton took over running the company, Bob continued showing up, handling anything that needed doing, from handyman jobs to workshop support. To this day, he’s the first to arrive every morning, opening up the site and getting things ready for the crew. You’ll find him painting, fixing, or mentoring and often standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his grandson, who joined the company full-time in 2023.

Bob’s legacy at Reid & Harrison is more than years of service. He helped shape the company’s values of hard work, humility, loyalty, and looking out for your people.

Six decades on, Bob is still leading by example. Quietly. Consistently. Proudly.