When Bob and Marlene Taylor sold their Upper Moutere hop farm lease, she said,Good, now we can buy a house. He said, No, we can buy a bulldozer. The Taylorsand their three sons went on to turn a one-man forestry roading operation intoone of the best-known contracting companies in the Nelson Marlborough region.Bob developed his skills and his reputation as he moved from bulldozers to excavators, doing farm drainage work, laying pipes and building dams. He was alwaysan innovator, the first to take excavators into the forest and the first to modify andfabricate the buckets and attachments needed for the job. He built a skilled and loyalteam around him and supported others in the industry. When he died suddenly at theage of 56 his sons Charlie and Matt stepped up and took over, and with Marlenesguiding hand and their brother Arthurs support they built the company to what it istoday.
This is the story of Taylors Contracting Co Ltd and the companys fifty years ofshaping the landscape, from forest roads to subdivisions and motorways, dams,canals and water systems. Its a story told by its people, the operators, employees andfellow contractors. Above all, its about doing things the Taylors way.
