| 51 Strong family culture sets company apart Based in Raetihi, Lilburn Transport carts wool and transports fertiliser for Balance to farms and Permapine fencing products to farmers. RURAL SERVICES » Lilburn Transport Karen Phelps A family company culture is what sets Lilburn Transport apart. This comes from the fact it is a long established family business passing to three generations of the Lilburn family, all with the same name of Robert. Opportunities for confusion have been mitigated with each ‘Robert’ being referred to by a slightly different variation, says present company owner Robbie Lilburn with a laugh. The company was started 40 years ago when Robert Lilburn and brother Stuart purchased two truck and trailer units, which were based at Kakatahi, to carry livestock, fertiliser, wool and stockfeed between their Parapara and Taupo farms. Robert’s son Bobby later came on board and the move was made into general transport. Robert and Bobby purchased the company in 2008 and in 2013 it passed to Robbie – Bobby’s son. Bobby is still on the pay role as a driver and Robbie’s wife Niketa takes charge of the of ce rounding out the family team. Robbie says the family culture extends to staff and clients. “You build relationships up with three generations of family having worked in the business. We had one staff member who was with us for 33 years. It’s the same with clients – we have many long term customers. It’s that good foundation of relationships with staff and customers that have enabled us to be where we are today.” A great team is important because at the end of the day they are what makes the business a success, says Robbie. He says that Lilburn Transport tries to help staff improve their skills and give them opportunities to progress. “This good company culture starts at the top and ows down resulting in great customer service. Nobody is just a number; we know all our team well and their families too. Staff health and safety is important and Lilburn Transport has achieved its bronze WorkWell accreditation. Robbie explains that WorkWell provides a framework that supports workplaces to develop and implement an effective and sustainable workplace wellbeing programme. This has involved helping a staff member to try to quit smoking and Robbie has also focused on his own health. It’s easy for things like health to fall by the wayside in a busy business but he says it’s a matter of constantly trying to move forward, even when you might slip backwards at times. Based in Raetihi, Lilburn Transport works in the Waikato area to King Country and Manawatu. It transports fertiliser for Balance to farms, Permapine fencing products to farmers and carts wool. It also offers landscaping supplies locally such as stone, bark and sand, bags of coal and lime cartage for farmers who can enquire to see if delivery is possible to their farm. “We offer direct cartage and stock the lime at our yard as consignment. This cuts out the middle man and makes it much more cost effective with savings passed onto our customers,” says Robbie. He says that in today’s competitive world, for transport it is no longer just a matter of moving products or livestock from A to B, but rather providing customers with full electronic and seamless reporting. “Traceability and veri able compliance is an essential element in the food chain and especially so when it came to products for export. At Lilburn Transport we try our best to ensure our customers get the very best service from start to nish.” Proud to Support Lilburn Transport Call 0800 PermaPine ( 737 627 ) www.permapine.co.nz • Roundwood • Poles • Piles Timber rails • SelfLok fencing for your nearest Stockist info@onla.co.nz | 06 355 1606 The preferred truck and trailer tyre by LILBURN TRANSPORT 0800 236 587 • www.momentumtyres.co.nz
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