| 81 T T Rosa Watson Ashburton adds to mix The move into the Ashburton district has allowed NC Equipment to better serve its customers in Mid Canterbury NC Equipment CONTRACTING Setting up a branch in Ashburton was natural progression for family-owned agricultural supplier NC Equipment, and it has been well-received in the district. The long-standing farm machinery retailer and importer, based in Amberley, is well known in the region for its experience in major brands such as Huster feedout equipment, Krone hay gear and the French brand, Agrisem. Seeing an opportunity to serve Mid Canterbury, it opened the doors to its Ashburton branch a year ago, bringing the same quality service and expertise for which it has forged a name. It purchased the well-known local business The Mower Shop Ashburton Ltd in September 2023, and in December 2023 it moved its premises to 460 West Street, Ashburton. The move into the Ashburton district allowed NC Equipment to better serve its customers in Mid Canterbury and become more established in the region, managing director Jim Bassett says. “We have been selling equipment in Mid Canterbury as a family for over 30 years. The new branch helps us to support our existing customers better and expand to meet the needs of other farmers and contractors. It’s certainly been a positive move.” There are four staff members now employed at the branch, assisting and supporting local customers. “One of the key reasons for setting up in Ashburton was the fact that Mid Canterbury has large- scale arable farms, which has allowed us to diversify from our typical dairy and livestock mix. “This tied in very well with our Agrisem cultivation range; but also helped us expand into Agrisem’s more specialist equipment, including their mechanical striptills, inter-row weeders and disc drills. We’re thankful to say we’ve had a great response from farmers in the region and think the fact that we specialise only in agricultural implements (no tractors or civil equipment) means that we have great offerings in the fields we play in along with specialist knowledge.” He says with both branches situated strategically, there are four territory managers spread across Canterbury to service the region adequately. NC Equipment also distributes a large range of other farm equipment, including the Bale Baron bale accumulators, Walter Watson folding Cambridge rollers, Berti mulchers and the New Zealand-made Fencepro and Kinghitter post drivers. The company also has an Outdoor Turf Equipment division called TurfForce, which is New Zealand’s largest retailer of Ferris commercial ride-on mowers. Alongside Ferris for the side- discharge mowers, they also supply and service the Walker Mower Range, which provides a large offering of catching mowers. It also has a full range of spare parts, including the recent addition of the Proforge equipment, plus all wearing parts and consumables needed on farm, including its own brand of grease. The company also imports its own line of Bale silage film from Europe and distributes this across New Zealand. Established in 1965, NC Equipment was purchased by the Bassett family in 1990. One of the original owners, John Bassett, is still a director and his four sons – Jim, Ryan, Mark and Cameron – are now shareholders and actively involved in the business.
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