78 | Kings Rural gear up to high working standard Sue Russell Taylor and Mike Swan own and operate Kings Rural Transport, based over three Southland locations, Pukemaori, Otautau and Tuataupari. Established originally by Dave King back as D T King Ltd in 1938, the company over successive decades grew into a very significant business, and when the original directors wanted to step back, it created the opportunity for that entity to split into four separate businesses, of which Kings Rural Transport Ltd is one. Taylor Swan is the company’s General Manager and has been with the business 8 years. He says, as a rural service company, the team of drivers tend to be dedicated to particular roles, however, when needed can jump in any of the vehicles in the fleet. Kings Rural Transport work across a wide array of rural-based services, including livestock, fertiliser, carting gravel, bulk supplies, stock food and general freight. When Rural South caught up with Taylor in December, the team were flat out spreading fertiliser and bulk cartage. “Within reason, we do the odd North Island trip with livestock, but usually we’re focussed on Southland work and up into Canterbury. We’re fortunate to have a very stable team, some of whom have been with us many decades now. They carry huge experience and understanding as to what their work entails to deliver it to a high standard for our customers,” says Taylor Fleet replacement is an ongoing programmed process, given the importance of keeping the trucks and gear up to high working standard. “We also invest in bringing new keen drivers on board. It takes many years to really come to grips with all the skills needed to operate our trucks and machinery, but it’s essential we keep creating opportunities for entry level operators to learn their skills.” Taylor is also responsible for the operation of all the fertiliser spreaders and a significant element of each working day is the overall smooth operation of all activities within the company. Underpinning the company’s success is a strong core of loyal customers who are always the priority, however Taylor says he’s always open to new business opportunities. “Some of our customers have actually been with us for generations, given how far the company stretches back, which is extremely gratifying to us. Something we value very much is this loyalty.” Given the nature of a lot of their work, relating to weather-conditions at any particular time, Taylor says, seizing opportunities and diversifying into new activities goes hand in hand with keeping the fleet and team busily engaged. “Historically there hasn’t been much of a push at school for students to consider driving as a career, which is unfortunate, given the opportunities that open up for skilled operators to make a real career out of it and do very well.” RURAL SERVICES » Kings Rural Transport Ltd “Operating a transport business comes with huge compliance costs and we battle suppliers who aren’t necessarily forthcoming with rate increases. Coupled with the current economic climate and driver shortages generally across the industry, it’s not easy to keep the bottom-line healthy, but fortunately we’ve been around so long in this region, our reputation speaks for itself.” Taylor acknowledges it’s a positive thing that large-scale operators such as Richardson Group are behind driver training education through S.I.T. He says more encouragement at school level to consider transport as a worthwhile career and trade would be very helpful. “Historically there hasn’t been much of a push at school for students to consider driving as a career, which is unfortunate, given the opportunities that open up for skilled operators to make a real career out of it and do very well.” Fert spreaders, as an example, are operating equipment worth upward of $500,000 and need to be strong in math and very logical thinkers. STOCK / BULK • FERTILISER • GRAVEL CONTRACTING • TRANSPORTING 173 Spey Street, Invercargill | 03 211 3355 Financial expertise for your rural business Get the support and advice you need to protect what you’ve built, strengthen your finances, and plan for the future you want. Talk to your local advisor today. For more information about Mobilcard contact us on: 0800 662 458 | mobilcardsales@exxonmobil.com Find us online at: www.mobil.co.nz/en-nz/mobilcard Whatever your fleet, whatever your need. Manage fuel for fleets of any size, shape or form with Mobilcard. Let’s go. Scan to learn more “Our livestock drivers have 54 pens on their trucks and can tell you exactly how to load the stock in the most efficient way.” Taylor says the most important aspect to operating Kings Rural Transport, is to continually deliver timely, efficient and the highest quality service to their valued clients. “We do this by investing well in our people and in our fleet. It’s a company wide culture to focus on quality service at all times.” Kings Rural Transport, is based over three Southland locations, Pukemaori, Otautau and Tuataupari.
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