Business Rural North Winter 2021

58 | Family transport business all started Sue Russell F lipp Transport is a family-owned rural trans- port company based in Oroua Downs just north of Foxton. The company’s fleet extends to eight 9-axle units, four 8-axle units and two 2-axle trucks; with a mix of American, Japanese and European vehicles. From its small beginnings when the Flipp family purchased a second-hand Bedford truck from Jolly and Mills in Palmerston North for $4000 in the early 80’s it was used for cartage of conven- tional bales of hay for local farmers. In time the company began carting conventional straw and hay that was bought and sold to supply the horse- racing industry, calf rearers, strawberry growers and movie industry, during the making of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The work soon outgrew the Bedford and the first 6-wheeler truck and 3-axle trailer was purchased, both second-hand. By this time large square and round bales were more common and large numbers of these were carted locally and around the lower North Island. Even today the trucks are still involved in shifting about 12,000 conventional bales compared to 50,000 bales in those early years. The Flipp’s were approached to help with the cartage of bulk silage and in the 90’s the first silage bin was built. Work began carting for Feild- ing based Daljet Singh of Rural Contractors which has continued to this very day with Flipp Transport now providing five trucks with silage bins and auto covers. The company’s first livestock unit, also second hand, was purchased in 2014 and used for carting for other transport companies. In 2016 Bill Dono- van Transport was also purchased by the Flipp’s and with that came work from a local stock agent. This resulted in the business operating with a total of seven trucks, as Flipp Hay and Straw. RURAL SERVICES » Flipp Transport In mid-2017 the family was approached by John Seymour, of Seymours Transport, a well presented and respected company in Opiki. The purchase of a further eight trucks followed and in October 2017 Flipp Transport was formed. With this came the building of a new office and dispatch facility adjacent to an existing staff room and farm stay accommodation block. A team of four staff run the office and dispatch operation. Flipp Transport employs 14 drivers. “The old saying goes ‘You are only as good as your staff’ and this is certainly true in our case. We try our best to provide a safe and enjoyable working environment for all our team members,” Flipps says. With the constant goal of continuing to provide great service and sustaining good working rela- tionships with clients, Flipp Transport is a business that works hard to maintain its solid reputation. We are proud to support the team at Flipp Transport Phone 06 356 7191 Mark 027 245 2896 Brent 027 637 1116 Email advanced.panelbeaters@xtra.co.nz 465 Rangitikei Street - Palmerston North PANEL & PAINT