| 65 Offering smarter, more efficient solutions Large silo system. Kelly Deeks From cow barns to feed mills, Rakaia Engineering (REL) continues to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions for New Zealand’s agricultural and commercial sectors. The long-established Canterbury company is expanding its offering across the country, helping clients boost productivity, reliability, and long-term performance through well-engineered, future-focused systems. REL’s expertise spans design, manufacturing, importation, installation, and after-sales support - all carried out from its Rakaia base. Known for innovation, the company has been at the forefront of integrated dairy and farming systems for nearly four decades, now adding large-scale feed mills and processing plant projects to its extensive portfolio. “We’re working on ways to make things smarter, better, easier, and more profitable - both on the agricultural and commercial sides of the business,” says business development and commercial manager Ross Soper. “Our job is to deliver efficient, reliable systems that stand the test of time.” A major growth area for REL is the feed mill and livestock nutrition sector. Over the past 12 months, the company has partnered with global feed mill specialist FAMSUN, opening new opportunities across New Zealand. “This partnership means we can deliver complete feed mill solutions - silos, handling equipment, and mill installations - for poultry, dairy, and livestock,” Ross says. RURAL SERVICES » Rakaia Engineering Ltd “We are close to signing up our first turnkey feed mill project, with more upgrades on the horizon as older mills are replaced with modern, efficient facilities.” Much of New Zealand’s existing feed mill infrastructure is outdated, he says, but technology has advanced dramatically. “I visited a mill in China producing 300,000 tonnes of feed a year with just three staff. That’s the level of automation and efficiency we’re heading towards here - not to eliminate abour, but to redeploy it where it’s most productive.” Founded by John and Janette Kuyf in 1987, Rakaia Engineering has grown from a small seasonal operation into a year-round enterprise with a team of 45 staff, plus contractors and seasonal workers. Their son, Hayden Kuyf, now leads the business as general manager, with Ross joining earlier this year to strengthen the commercial side. “We’re investing in management structure and capability to future-proof the business,” Ross says. “John and Janette are looking toward retirement, and we’ve been adding senior management across all divisions, along with other key roles, to ensure the company continues to thrive.” Ross says farmers and processors alike are becoming more strategic in their decision-making. “My grandfather always said dairy farming runs in peaks and troughs over a 7-year cycle. We’re near the top of the cycle now which is fantastic for the wider agriculture community, but how long will it be this way is, only time will tell. ® People are thinking smarter, planning longer term, and focusing on reliability rather than just the cheapest price.” With a reputation built on innovation, quality, and trusted relationships, Rakaia Engineering remains at the forefront of supporting both the dairy and commercial industries - ensuring every client gets a tailored, enduring solution designed for success.
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