74 | Cropping & dairy are the two biggest sectors A focus has been on building the after-sales service division. Sue Russell RURAL SERVICES » Power Farming - Ashburton Thirteen years ago, Simon Jackson took the plunge and accepted an offer to start, own and operate a Power Farming dealership in Ashburton. “The founder of the brand, Geoff Maber from Morrinsville, approached me and my wife and I saw it as a great opportunity to set up our own dealership in the district, supporting the agricultural sector which is the backbone of this region,” Simon says. Cropping and dairy are the company’s two biggest sectors, however Simon says that horticulture is a growing farming type in the area. “We’re a joint-venture ownership, owning 50% with Geoff owning the other portion of the business and what’s great is that behind us is a great group of people supporting the company in terms of accounting ,HR , service and product support.” Asked how business has been, Simon says the last three years have been pretty tough, but acknowledges this has been industry-wide. This year, however, he’s seen a significant improvement, but still not back to former levels. “When things get tight, it comes down to the basics of the quality of your equipment and the service offering and we believe we’re the best in the county. We’ve grown our service people this year and made sure our after-sales service is second to none. Our customers need to know they can rely on us with back-up support and regular machinery maintenance and that’s what we deliver.” Currently twenty people work in the Ashburton SMART, SIMPLE DESIGN THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME. The McIntosh Bale Feeders range handles tough bales like they’re nothing. No fuss, no second try, just feed out and move on. It’s the kind of kit you hook up without a second thought and know it’ll do the job. www.mcintosh.net.nz BUILT TOUGH TRUSTED EVERYWHERE 0800 622 276 sales@mcintosh.net.nz Proud to supply Power Farming - Ashburton PROUD TO SUPPORT POWER FARMING - ASHBURTON 03 308 1506 www.engrep.co.nz . r . . • CNC machining – lathe & mill • CNC profile and HD plasma cutting • Earthmoving machinery • Alloy and stainless steel mig and tig • General repairs • Fertiliser spreaders • Transport decks • Certified welding Engineering Repairs (2012) Ltd is a family business situated at 14 Watson Street, Ashburton, we specialise in manufacturing and repairs. business, with four more joining by the end of January. Power Farming Ashburton sells and services a wide array of farming and agriculture equipment, from tractors, telehandlers, loaders, excavators, cultivation machinery, feed mixers, seeding machinery, grass machinery to crop management technologies. The business has always been located on Alford Forest Road, in what Simon describes as the best road for customer access and getting into and out of. The road is a main thoroughfare between Ashburton and Methven. And this year has represented something of a milestone for the business which has added JCB Agriculture alongside the JCB construction equipment , which Simon says, came with a great customer base. A focus has been on building the after-sales service division and Simon’s achieved this by focusing on attracting the right people to join. “This year we’ve managed to add five really top operators to our service department.” He likes to think by offering multiple brands he’s a one stop shop with a quality sales and after-sales service team. “Our business is very much grounded on establishing long-term relationships with our customers and this can only be achieved when we deliver consistently high service and support. It begins with sales but the back-up we offer is equally as important.” Simon says he doesn’t sell machinery, he sells ‘solutions’ to specifically meet the unique needs of each customer in the district. “We’re a team that work hard but we have a lot of fun when we do it. Team work makes the dream work. We invest in our people because I know it makes a huge difference when they feel they’re being supported to grow their knowledge.” Service support is available 365 days a year 24 hours a day. Harvesting in Canterbury is a 12 month activity and the works intensive. Simon knows Power Farming’s success is built on two important factors - great customers and his awesome team. “I also have an amazing supportive wife, because when we started, we were a new business in a very big pot and it takes a lot of hard work and a long time to cement your position in the region.” With a positive outlook, buoyed by a stronger dairy pay-out and farmer investment, Simon says he’s looking forward to the opportunities and challenges 2026 will undoubtedly bring. “You’ve got to have passion for this industry and for the people. That’s what makes you get out of bed each morning and makes it all so worthwhile.”
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