Changes underway at CablePrice

CABLEPRICE CHAIRMAN, DAVID HARVEY, SAYS IT’S BUSINESS as usual in CablePrice’s equipment divisions and its South Island Daimler dealerships, following the end of its 30-year partnership with Scania New Zealand.

“Our business is going through a period of change as we exit our Scania agreement, manage impacts from the end of our dealer agreement with John Deere Forestry and Construction, deal with the ongoing effects from COVID-19 and optimise our operating costs.”

He adds that the changes are aimed at positioning the business for a more sustainable future. CablePrice is proposing to close its branches in Whangarei and Gisborne, close its North Shore site, and close its commercial vehicle operations in Auckland, Rotorua, Palmerston North and Hastings. It is proposing to establish local service dealer agents in Whangarei and Gisborne to support customers there, and to focus its North Island operations on expanding its construction machinery retail business.

“Our Japanese owners, Hitachi Machinery Construction Company, are supportive of our plans and are backing us to turn the company around and secure new business growth and opportunities.”

The company is in a strong position in the South Island, where it has been experiencing significant growth through new agreements with Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Fuso and Detroit, he says.