Business Rural North Summer 2021

52 | Rural Fergus intent on making a real Fergus Rural’s core customers are sheep and beef farmers from the owners of smaller farms through to large corporate farms. Richard Loader “The East Coast is a very traditional area and it takes a long time to build a solid client base from scratch” RURAL SERVICES » Fergus Rural G oing out to the farms, getting amongst the stock, drafting, doing the deal then enjoying a cuppa with the client is what Rob Fergus and the team at Fergus Rural love to do, it’s their passion and it’s why they do what they do. From a background in livestock management Rob founded Fergus Rural along with Gisborne farmer Dan Griffin back in 2013. Joined by experienced stock agents Daryl Fergus and Ross Mitchell, the team have based themselves in Gisborne, Wairoa and Tolaga Bay covering from Hawke’s Bay to the top of the East Cape. Rob saw an opportunity to make a real difference to the sheep and beef farmers in the region and the way stock was bought and sold. “The East Coast is a very traditional area and it takes a long time to build a solid client base from scratch,” says Rob. “You have to do that right by building trust, client relationships and reliability. Building trust and relationships is about honesty. Business is more difficult if you’re not transparent and don’t eliminate the margin for error.” Customising the administration system and capitalising on the team’s past experience Rob and his team specialise in on-farm sales and the ability to move large numbers of livestock quickly through a network of trusted stock agents throughout the country. Fergus Rural’s core customers are sheep and beef farmers, from the owners of smaller farms through to large corporate farms and the ability to be agile and move stock quickly is very important when markets or the weather can be unpredictable. “We increased the farmers opportunity to sell their stock on farm, reducing their risk and cost. We assess the stock, discuss the market, price them, 183 Carnarvon St, Gisborne. 4010 FREEPHONE: 0800 428 429 P: 06 867 9811 | F: 06 867 3963 E: office@ehinsurance.co.nz www.ehinsurance.co.nz REAL PEOPLE HONEST ADVICE Monthly PremiumOptions a vailabl e TRUSTED AS THE LEADING PROVIDER OF INDEPENDENT INSURANCE SOLUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY • Commercial • Farm • Livestock • Forestry • Insurance • Domestic • Marine • Liability • Travel Mazda & Suzuki Dealer Holden Service & Parts