30 | Norwood Farm Machinery Centre: CEDA - Regional Development T T Karen Phelps Norwood – best brands, best service Norwood supplies machinery and equipment from world-leading agricultural brands catering for farmers, lifestylers and specialty operations like horticulture and viticulture. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Norwood has spent a long time getting to know New Zealand farmers and growers: where they farm, what they grow, and what they need to get the job done, says Aaron Smith, Norwood Chief Executive. “A lot has changed since Norwood started in 1948, and it has grown and changed. Through it all, our commitment to bringing the best brands and machinery to New Zealand farmers and growers and providing the best service to their customers has remained the same,” he says. Norwood supplies machinery and equipment from world-leading agricultural brands like Kubota, Väderstad, KUHN, SKY Agriculture, Breviagri, Vredo, Pichon, Ferrari and StocksAg. The product portfolio caters for farmers, lifestylers and specialty operations like horticulture and viticulture. It includes tractors and implements used in cultivation and forage production as well as attachments that get down to business at the business end of a tractor. Norwood also supplies a large amount of Kubota construction equipment that plays a vital role in the development of land and the building of homes. “Our aim is to keep our customers moving by importing, selling and servicing the best machinery brands in the world. Our brand partners know exactly what farmers and the construction industry need from their equipment, and we select the products best suited to New Zealand’s conditions,” says Aaron. “Our commitment to customers doesn’t end with the delivery of a piece of machinery. We service everything we sell, and a good deal of machinery that we don’t, because downtime is costly. We get our customers back up and running as fast as possible when breakdowns do happen.” Norwood’s National Support Office is based in Palmerston North along with an assembly plant and the largest agricultural parts warehouse in the country. It is very much a national company though with nearly 400 staff in 22 locations – from Whangarei in the Far North, to Mosgiel in the deep South. “Relationships matter to us,” says Aaron. “We organise our people around our customers so that each region is staffed by locals who understand the farming operations in their area. Each dealership offers a range of equipment and brands chosen to meet the needs of the farmers and contractors that do business there. We have product specialists on the “Our aim is to keep our customers moving by importing, selling and servicing the best machinery brands in the world.” ground as well, so farmers get expert advice and support along with quality equipment and machinery.” Norwood’s social connections in the regions run deep, he says. Local initiatives are supported from the National Support Office, whose activity includes raising over $380,000 for Farmstrong since 2019, and providing free storage space at their Palmerston North assembly workshop to Just Zilch, New Zealand’s longest running food rescue operation. Aaron says that as an importer, Norwood recognises its responsibility to provide expertise and equipment for better management and improved environmental outcomes, as well as increasing farming productivity. Norwood was one of the first companies to sign the Biosecurity Business Pledge, is still a committee member for the Pledge, and is MPIE accredited with approved transitional facilities. It supports the Ballance Farm Environmental Awards programme with sponsorship of the Norwood Farming Efficiency Award, which acknowledges farmers or growers who are actively focused on resource use efficiency. Aaron says that the brands Norwood represents are at the cutting edge of sustainability and innovation, saving costs on farm, and Norwood’s maintenance programmes ensure that equipment maximises output, minimises input, and reaches its potential life expectancy. “Norwood aims to keep their customers moving right now and in the future. We work in some dynamic industries. Customer preferences, regulations, work practices and technology changes. One thing is for sure, Norwood will be there, changing alongside it.” WE’LL KEEP YOUR BUSINESS MOVING For over 85 years, we’ve been supporting local businesses like Norwood Farm Machinery. UDC provides equipment finance to businesses like yours to help you grow. We’ll make it easy for you to get the finance you need, with flexible terms and a competitive rate. BECAUSE WE’VE GOT MONEY TO LEND. TALK TO OUR TEAM TODAY 0800 322 888 | udc.co.nz Scan for more information UDC Finance Limited. Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply.
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