| 61 Carrying stock from farm to processing plant is a large component of work, with Affco and Silver Fern processors. RURAL SERVICES » Kiwi Transport Constantly reviewing & updating eet Sue Russell Based in Frasertown, the capital of Wairoa, Kiwi Transport has been in existence, one way or the other since post-WW2. Bruce Martin has been with the business nearly 30 years and in 2017 bought into the company. Today, Kiwi Transport, operates a eet of 5 stock and 3 bulk carrying trucks. Asked how business has been of late Bruce says a severe shortage of drivers hampers any ability to grow the company bigger. “Driving trucks is long hours and hard work and these days I don’t think there’s the same work ethic of earlier generations. It’s also dif cult to attract people to move into the district.” Kiwi Transport moves stock and bulk supplies over a large geography, from right up the East Coast and south to the Wairarapa and even as far a eld as into the Waikato. Traditionally Bruce has tended to buy Volvo trucks, having had years behind the wheel. He says they are ideal for the road conditions and terrain the trucks travel and in terms of servicing are very reliable. “We’re constantly reviewing when to replace our eet. They do a lot of work and we have to know they’re going to pay for themselves in business generated.” A small portion of work, carting metal for forestry companies along with the mainstay stock and bulk work keeps the eet busy most of the year. Servicing of the trucks is undertaken at scheduled intervals, to ensure enough trucks are working at all times. Bruce has been in the game long enough to know what to look for when taking on new staff. “You have to be quite exible and get on with people and you need to have the skills to drive well. If I can see a person has the right attitude then I’m prepared to invest in them gaining their driver’s tickets. This is an expensive process in itself as drivers progress up through their license classes.” Bruce also says its good to nd young people keen to drive as they haven’t developed any poor driving habits to overcome. And maintaining a pro table business is an ongoing priority in these times of volatility in the cost of fuel. Like most established transport companies, Kiwi uses a Fuel Adjustment Factor calculation as a %surcharge added to freight costs. Carrying stock from farm to processing plant is a large component of work with Affco and Silver Fern processors two major clients. While the trucks go further a eld, the bulk of work is carried out over Hawkes Bay. September and October are generally quieter months at Kiwi Transport, while farms are busy with lambing and calving. “Our main time of the year for moving stock off farms is March to July, however if the grass growth kicks in well then we can get busier earlier.” Operating in a competitive sector over many decades relies also on establishing strong relationships with clients and Bruce says it is gratifying to have been in the sector long enough to be working for second or third generation families. Asked what factors, if any, may impact on changes in the district Bruce says it’s a shame so much good farming land is being swallowed up with pine forestry initiatives. “I do understand the reasons why forestry is taking hold, however we are losing really productive stock and arable farming land, which, once growing trees, will be lost forever.” “Our main time of the year for moving stock off farms is March to July, however if the grass growth kicks in well then we can get busier earlier. I do understand the reasons why forestry is taking hold, however we are losing really productive stock and arable farming land, which, once growing trees, will be lost forever.” P: 06 838 8282 M: 027 483 0644 | 027 230 8713 Proudly supporting Kiwi Transport Co. .
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