62 | Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wellington, and the King Country. Staff recruitment is a significant and worrying problem in the transport industry, generally. However livestock drivers are definitely in the minority, and responsibilities forced on livestock drivers contribute to this shortage. There is pressure around making decisions regarding animal health, and delivery times at freezing works, with drivers sitting at plants late evening through to early mornings, which impact on family life.” Despite these challenges, Ongarue Transport continues to provide its customers with the high level of service that it has built its reputation on over fifty years, living up to its motto ‘on time, every time’. Ongarue Transport on time, every time Richard Loader With an esteemed history spanning five decades, the longevity and success of Taumaranui’s Ongarue Transport Ltd can be attributed to its fleet of modern trucks and equipment, capable drivers and a moto of ‘on time, every time’. “That has enabled us to provide the service we are renown for and last but certainly not least is the loyalty given to the company by our farmer clients, many of whom are into the second and third generation,” says Managing Director Darryl Gulbransen. Ongarue Transport’s roots go back to 1973 when the company was founded by Bryan Adam. In those days the business operated from premises in the small village of Ongarue, a rural community in the Ruapehu District, and that is where its name was derived from. In 1998 the company was purchased by Darryl Gulbransen and the late Bryan Wood who grew the business from twelve truck and trailer units to twenty units at its peak. “At the time the farming sector was growing, and stock numbers were increasing, partly aided by the Governments stock incentive scheme,” says Darryl. “In the early days, the Ongarue Ewe Fair boasted up to twenty-four thousand ewes at its annual sale. However with the impact of forestry in the area, ewe numbers have been reduced to eight to ten thousands ewes. It is important to note that numerous farms have succumbed to forestry investment planting. In the last twenty-seven years about fifty farms have been put into plantation forestry.” With the growth in forestry planting and a decline in livestock numbers coupled with a serious shortage of truck drivers, Ongarue Transport’s staff numbers have reduced its work force from 20 to 15 employees. Ongarue Transport’s current premises are located at 168 Totara Street, Manunui, Taumarunui,. A two hectare site behind the Caltex truck stop, the facility houses stock yards and holding paddocks, fertilizer bins and a workshop where the trucks and machinery are serviced. Ongarue Transport’s operation is that of a general carrier, covering all types of transport services including freezing works cartage, bulk fertilizer, wool and store stock cartage. Travelling the well-worn roads, and smartly painted in their distinctive orange/red brand colour, the company’s well maintained fleet consists of three truck brands; Freightliner, Fuso, Mercedes (Bulk Spreader) with one owner driver operating a Volvo. “We currently transport fat stock to freezing works plants in the Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty, RURAL SERVICES » Ongarue Transport Qu ty B Tra i 8 Aerodrome Rd, Mt Maunganui Sth | 07 572 8009 office@nationwidecrates.co.nz | www.nationwidecrates.co.nz Ongarue Transport covers all types of transport services including freezing works cartage, bulk fertilizer, wool and store stock cartage.
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