76 | Strong work ethic drives rapid growth What began as a fencing operation expanded into bulldozing and earthworks, then into machinery hire. Kelly Deeks RURAL SERVICES » Walton Contracting After more than two decades working on other people’s farms, Haydon Walton has built a contracting business that now helps East Coast farmers tackle everything from fencing and farm development to heavy machinery hire, while steadily working toward a bold goal of running multiple stations of his own. The Walton Contracting owner began fencing in 2003, travelling to the Manawatu to help rebuild after major floods. What started as short-term work turned into a career, and eventually a move north to Gisborne. “I was only meant to stay a few years,” Haydon says. “But the farms here are big, the farmers are good people, and there’s plenty of opportunity if you’re prepared to work.” That work ethic has driven rapid growth. What began as a fencing operation expanded into bulldozing and earthworks, then into machinery hire when Haydon realised many farmers needed access to equipment they could not justify owning. “There wasn’t really anyone offering it locally,” he says. “So we started with three diggers and we’ve grown it to 50 machines.” Today the hire arm of the business runs a comprehensive fleet and combined with the contracting crews, gives Walton Contracting the ability to mobilise quickly across the region. If a job needs doing, Haydon says his team can usually handle it. “We do farm development, dams, tracks, water reticulation, fencing, cleaning wool sheds – whatever is needed. We’re set up so farmers can ring one contractor and get the lot.” Leasing land has become the next step in the evolution. Walton Contracting now leases several properties totalling thousands of acres, including Arowhona Station, which acts as a breeding block, while other farms are used to finish stock. Running multiple stations gives flexibility during dry periods and allows stock to be shifted to where feed is available. “If one place is dry, we’ll move them to the farm with grass,” Haydon says. “That’s the advantage of having a few options.” The model also supports staffing. Rather than carrying large numbers of permanent farm workers, Haydon can draw on his contracting team to work on the farms when required, then send them back out to fencing or development work. “It doesn’t take much to fix up these blocks when you know what you’re doing and you’ve got a big team,” he says. “We can pull in 20 guys, smash 0800 141 545 | onestock@carrfields.co.nz | www.carrfields.co.nz MORE THAN BUYING AND SELLING YOUR LIVESTOCK. Carrfields is proud to be associated with Walton Contracting. a job out, and then get them away and fencing again.” Walton Contracting currently employs about 20 people, supported by casual workers who move between mustering, shearing, contracting, and hire roles throughout the year. Experience gained from years on clients’ properties has been invaluable, Haydon says. “We’ve been watching farmers for 20 years, asking questions, and learning why they do things. We’ve picked up a lot.” That knowledge, along with specialised machinery and skilled operators, means the team can take on challenging hill country terrain and complete projects efficiently, reducing disruption for landowners. Haydon is proud of the culture he is building and says good staff are central to the company’s future. “I can’t do it without them. They’re important and I look after them.” Looking ahead, the aim is to expand further, securing more leases so the business can become increasingly self-contained, with teams living on and working from Walton-run stations around the region. For Haydon, the journey carries a personal message as well. “I didn’t do that well at school, but you can still make something of yourself,” he says. Turn up early, work hard, be tidy, and be good to people. That’s what counts.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=