92 | nzdairy Demand for services Sue Russell Missy and Brett Duncan are owners and directors of dairy sector services business Waitaki Dairy Solutions. As of ce administrator and general gopher Missy is kept busy every day. The couple have operated seven years now and successfully grown the business year on year. Evidence of that growth can be seen in their decision to demolish their old workshops and build a new operating base, which Missy says, will serve their purposes so much better. “We had three separate workshops and we were just bursting at the seams, so now we’re going to be set up for good. It’s been a very nerve-racking but exciting time.” The team consists of eight, including Missy and Brett. Brett concerns himself with procuring new business, pricing, client engagement and also works on the tools. Waitaki Dairy Solutions are agents for GEA NZ milking plant but the company undertakes a wide range of engineering-type work, including new plant installations, repairing and maintaining milking shed technologies, manufacturing and tting aluminium boxes, crates and trailers and dairy plumbing and machine testing. One team member has successfully gained his general engineering quali cation and Missy DAIRY SERVICES » Waitaki Dairy Solutions - Servicing North Otago - 24/7 Callout Service - Electrical Plant Maintenance, Repairs & Upgrades Proud to work alongside the team from Waitaki Dairy Solutions 0800 277 244 | 0277 288 002 says one other employee, new to the company, is successfully working through their apprenticeship pathway, which is very good to see. “It’s very important to bring new fresh youth into this sector. We’re always looking for young ones who show the right attitude to work and are a team player to join us.” Missy adds its extremely satisfying when staff nd themselves really engaged in the sector and go on to gain quali cations, giving themselves a meaningful and much in-demand career to progress through in the future. Based near Oamaru the staff travel throughout the region and up into South Canterbury. Missy says sometimes the work can be further a eld than that. Brett has been brought up in the company, purchasing the business from his parents who he had worked for the previous eight years in their Temuka branch. Asked whether there are any tensions or stresses impacting the company, Missy says the ongoing hike in prices is a constant strain. “We’re not too bad on the supply side though because Brett loves spare parts so we have a lot in stock. The cost and reliability of freight is another factor. With our new premises, due to open in March 2023 we’ll be able to store more parts which is a big positive for us.” New Advert GEA Waitaki Dairy Solutions’ Brett and Missy Duncan with family, Cody, Lockie and Sophia. % aH0I& %Qa m, mm aØ Cow collar technology FIL hygiene and animal health Dairy and udder health automation Rotary and herringbone systems Whether you’re looking to increase cow throughput, combat labour challenges, gain more insights or improve udder health, GEA offers a range of innovative solutions to meet the demands of every kind of farming business. For better farming, contact your local GEA Service Partner or call us on 0800 GEA FARM.
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