68 | A stalwart of region’s rural community The company’s transport fertiliser spreaders are a huge part of the business – supplying and servicing the industry throughout the country. ENGINEERING McMaster Engineering T T Aimee Wilson “Our store has been set up to help service dairy and general farming industry in our area and the store is still growing with a large range of parts and services.” McMaster Engineering prides itself on offering the Southland rural sector an instant breakdown service, and has a client base of well over 2500 loyal customers. Garth McMaster has been going strong since 1990 when he started the engineering business in Winton after the Doherty Brothers went under. Leaving Central Southland College to start his apprenticeship with the company, Garth now leads a strong team of 26 staff to service the engineering needs of the local farming community and industry. He also supplies engineering products and services all over New Zealand and manufactures a large range, including computerized hydraulic fertiliser spreaders, bulk handling plants, dairy sheds and dairy feeding systems. The company’s transport fertiliser spreaders are a huge part of the business – supplying and servicing the industry throughout the country. “Everywhere you drive in the country you see them out working,” he says. McMaster Engineering has helped build over 400 dairy conversions in Southland throughout the 35 years, and with that there is a lot of on-farm maintenance keeping his business humming along. “Our store has been set up to help service dairy and general farming industry in our area and the store is still growing with a large range of parts and services. There is a big emphasis on in-shed feeding for the dairy farmers and we are a one-stop-shop for that,” says Garth. The business’s breakdown service allows customers to either walk in and ask for their problem to be fixed, or a member of the team will go out to them – this is something their clients give them great feedback on. “We pride ourselves on getting things done as soon as possible,” Garth says. Rising costs are the company’s biggest challenge, and Garth says it is getting very expensive to run a business. Investing in the younger generation and employing up to three apprentices at any one time, ensures staff retention and the younger staff being able to learn from in-house role models. So, where to from here for this busy rural Southland company? “Cows will always need milking and feed, which follows back through to the fertiliser on the ground, which gives them a good grounding for the future going forward.” Garth says with the large range of equipment they have diversified into, there will always be something to do. With regard to future ownership of the business, Garth has opened up his company to allow some of his long-term employees to partner into the company. “These guys are the hub of the company.” Looking after staff that have been long-serving members of the team was important, ensuring not only the future viability of the business, but the security of the wider team to make everyone feel valued in their work. McMaster Engineering might have roots in Southland, but it can only get stronger as its name around the country and within the rural becomes even more widely recognised. Email: info@gmdesigns.co.nz Phone: 03 218 8910 Website: www.gmdesigns.co.nz Structural, Geotechnical, Civil & Architectural Design Proudly Supporting McMaster Engineering For all your building design needs, GM Designs delivers complete residential, commercial & rural solutions from concept to completion
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