Hands-on advantage
Only the best will do for a Kiwi co-operative sourcing farm machinery for its farmers and contractors. By Steve Mcmillan.
Arespected Kiwi farm machinery co-operative established 19 years ago continues to grow and supply farmers and agriculturalists with some of the best-quality gear from around the world.
And right now, with spring underway, along with mowing and cultivation requirements for harvesting of supplementary feeds, the demand for products imported and distributed by Originag in spring is as strong as ever.
Originag, New Zealand’s only farm machinery co-operative, was formed in 2004 by a group of New Zealand-wide independent farm machinery retailers to import products directly from overseas manufacturers – on exclusive market distribution agreements – and in doing so has given shareholder members and customers a competitive and growing range of products.
The co-operative distributes numerous leading European machinery brands like Pottinger cultivation, seeding and grass harvesting equipment; Alpego power harrows, rotary hoes, mulchers and sub-soilers; Bogballe fertiliser spreaders; Hatzenbichler air seeders; Joskin slurry tankers, muck spreaders, construction and grain trailers and pasture toppers, and Gascon disc harrows and cultivators.
More products will be added to the range to keep up with the steady growth of the business, says managing director David Donnelly. “Our success is contributed to the fact we adopted a co-operative business model with co-operative principles and an ethos which fairly represents the shareholder members and their customers' interests.
‘‘That is because co-operatives like ours are founded on strong values and we put them into practice every day,” says Donnelly.
“Relationships are built on trust and we believe our job is to work together to serve the needs of everyone, because trust is the glue that holds customers and member owners of a co-operative together.
“Our aim is to ensure customers get the best possible experience from quality equipment, great service and parts.”
Donnelly believes, unlike some larger organisations, Originag has an advantage as a smaller ‘hands-on’ company without a corporate structure, meaning his team can react and respond to customer needs quickly. “And we always welcome customer and shareholder feedback.”