| 69 Quietly carving out a solid reputation Spread test day. Kelly Deeks Mid Canterbury’s Midland Spreaders is quietly carving out a solid reputation during its almost 25 years in business, not only for its professional and reliable service, but also for the strong relationships it builds with both staff and clients. Owned by Graeme and Maryann Blair and Kane Freeman, the business has been steadily growing since Kane came onboard in 2016, starting out as a spreader driver before becoming a co-owner. The company now runs a tight-knit team that’s committed to doing the job right, with a focus on efficiency, innovation, and trust. One of Midland Spreaders’ most significant partnerships is with Dairy Holdings, a long-term client that continues to expand. “Our drivers spend a lot of time on their 50 odd Canterbury farms,” Kane says. “They’re on those properties six or seven times a year, driving through every paddock. It’s probably the closest relationship some of those farmers have with any one contractor and they have come to know each other well.” Dairy Holdings is set to bring an additional 1200-odd hectares online this season, which has prompted Midland Spreaders to also expand, adding a new staff member and an extra truck to the fleet. “We pride ourselves on our commitment to support local, and have again engaged Engineering Repairs as our bin builder of choice.” Recently Midland Spreaders began a deliberate strategy to invest in younger operators that have shown a keenness to learn and gain their licenses, providing a pathway for them to get from class 1 through to class 5. “It’s great to help them get their licenses, teach them the ropes, and give them the same opportunity I had,” Kane says. Longtime team member Ricky, who’s been with the company for more than 16 years, plays a key mentoring role, passing on farm knowledge and best practice to newcomers. Technology plays an increasing role in the business, and younger staff tend to embrace it, with GPS systems, soil data, and digital record-keeping now essential parts of the job. “The younger ones are great with the tech, and we’ve got one young woman on the team now who’s sharp, reliable, and brings a good balance to the team.” Midland Spreaders is also investing in onboard scales with the new truck to improve efficiencies, especially when loading products to spread across multiple farms. Also, there could be future opportunity to install silos on remote properties for better load management. RURAL SERVICES » Midland Spreaders Ltd In another move to sharpen efficiency and future-proof the business, the partners recently bought a property just outside of Rakaia to serve as their base of operations. A disciplined maintenance regime keeps the fleet fresh and breakdowns to a minimum. With a goal to keep the average truck age under four years, Kane says it’s all part of the plan to keep the business lean, efficient, and ready for whatever comes next. “It’s been tough at times, but we’ve had a good run,” he says. “We’ve got a great team, great client relationships, and we’re proud of what we’re building.” PROUD TO SUPPORT MIDLAND SPREADERS LTD Safeguarding rural businesses for nearly 50 years Connect with us 03 307 7454 | AJG.co.nz Locally owned & operated family business for 72 years South Street, Ashburton PHONE (03) 308-3147 Email o ce@blacklows.co.nz Your one stop engineering & supplies shop. Proud to support Midland Spreaders Ltd. Zone Ashburton Trade “It’s great to help them get their licenses, teach them the ropes, and give them the same opportunity I had.”
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