| 51 Unique project for a QEII covenant The company has become known for its expertise on tricky jobs. Karen Phelps Agri-Fencing Taranaki is aiming to be a next generation fencing company, says director Susanne Rawson who owns the company with husband Jeff. “A lot of people don’t see fencing as a profession but it’s actually a very technical and skilled job,” she says. Agri-Fencing Taranaki was started by the couple, who met while working in Antarctica, in 2019. Drawing from their diverse backgrounds - Jeff’s experience growing up on a dairy farm and in mechanics and Susanne’s in logistics – Agri-Fencing Taranaki specialises in agricultural fencing services for farms, lifestyle blocks, commercial facilities, and stockyards, with a particular focus on stock control and livestock management. “Our vision is to provide innovative and sustainable fencing solutions for our clients that will last generations through expert workmanship, technology and environmental management,” explains Susanne. “We understand what it takes for a hard day’s work and how to get the job done. That’s why most of our clients are repeat business.” She says that the company has become known for its expertise on tricky jobs and that her and Jeff’s backgrounds are an important part of this: “Our backgrounds in mechanics, logistics, and field support roles means a lifetime of valuable skills in critical thinking and problem solving. We have a range of experiences providing field support and infrastructure installations from Antarctica to the Arctic and we apply that problem solving to find fencing solutions. This has meant Agri-Fencing Taranaki is known for challenging projects that might take out of the box thinking. RURAL SERVICES » Agri-Fencing Taranaki We take a solution-oriented approach to work within the terrain and budget of the client,” says Susanne. A good example is the company’s work on a unique conservation project for a QEII covenant block in Stratford. The challenging project involved installing an eight-wire batten fence across difficult rocky and wet terrain to protect native bushland. Working in collaboration with the landowner, QEII National Trust and the Taranaki Regional Council the team navigated complex conditions to deliver a great result. Susanne says the project showcased the company’s innovative problem-solving approach with the team utilising rock spikes along the entire fence line to secure posts in challenging conditions. The project became a family affair, with relatives helping to lay battens, embodying the company’s commitment to involving the next generation in conservation efforts. “It was a particularly rewarding project to work on,” says Susanne. The company’s forward-thinking approach extends to workforce diversity. Kim Coochey, the company’s fencing technician, stands as the only known female fencer in Taranaki, says Susanne. Breaking new ground in the industry Agri-Fencing Taranaki has also introduced bi-annual fencer lunches. “We saw after Cyclone Gabrielle that the community wasn’t prepared to respond to the fencing needs. We don’t want to be in a situation where fencers and farmers feel isolated; we need to be able respond and band together quickly. We want to be the next generation of fencers and form a collaborative environment. The lunches have come to become a valuable support network.” Operating from its New Plymouth base, Agri-Fencing Taranaki services clients across the region. “We saw after Cyclone Gabrielle that the community wasn’t prepared to respond to the fencing needs. We don’t want to be in a situation where fencers and farmers feel isolated; we need to be able respond and band together quickly. We want to be the next generation of fencers and form a collaborative environment.” Supporting your rural business Proud to support Agri-Fencing Taranaki www.tandemgroup.co.nz Office 06 278 0020 Steve Roylance 021 287 5335 Peter Laurence 027 252 2174 WilliamMoynihan 027 279 7099 CLAASHarvest Centre areproud tosupport Agri-FencingTaranaki 3872B Mountain Road, Stratford T 06 765 5348 M 027 376 1371 E dean.midgley@fonterra.com Weekdays: 8.00am - 5.00pm Saturdays: 9.00am - 12.00pm nzfarmsource.co.nz FARMSOURCE STRATFORD Agricultural fencing services for farms, lifestyle blocks, commercial facilities and stockyards Stock control and livestock management ∙ Innovative and sustainable fencing solutions Expert workmanship built to last generations. 027 235 6504 www.agri-fencingtaranaki.co.nz
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