120 | nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » Stocker Dairy Services Stocker-Solutions-Building-Ashburton (above). The North Building (below). Russell Fredric Stocker Solutions co-director Shane Stocker is unapologetic for being “fussy” about the quality of workmanship and service the company offers its clients. Despite this, he is quick to add that his vision for the business is only as good as the staff the company employs. Shane owns Stocker Solutions with his wife, Cheryl; a story of classic Kiwi entrepreneurship, the couple started from a garage next to their home in 1995. The business was originally built on supporting dairy farming when it began to boom in the Mid Canterbury region, but now covers plumbing, mechanical, engineering and service. “In the Mid Canterbury area there was an opportunity to supply a good brand of milking equipment and service it,” Shane says. It was four years before Shane and Cheryl took on their rst employee, but having grown the business from strength to strength it now has a staff of 30 and operates out of a purpose-built premises on State Highway 1 in Ashburton. The company is a dealership for GEA and Houle equipment. Shane readily endorses the bene ts of quality equipment, even at higher cost than some of alternative brands. “You get what you pay for and we also offer the appropriate back-up to go with it too. We service and we’ve got a massive stock for all the products we carry as well. “The initial cost is always forgotten pretty quickly, but equipment that gives trouble is never forgotten.” Quality is especially important in the harsh dairy environment which can be particularly be hard on equipment, as can some users. “That’s why we service equipment and make it reliable for farmers too.” Top quality workmanship and service Shane has noticed a consistent trend towards automation, especially with farm owners facing staff shortages in recent years. Although some of the growth has been a natural evolution, the serious labour shortages coupled with immigration dif culties have been strong drivers for automation in dairy sheds during the past two years. The company is tting automatic cup removers “all year round” while other automated options such as plant wash systems and drafting all reduce the manual workload. Mixers & Pumps for Effluent 43 Phillips Street, Phillipstown Christchurch, New Zealand www.liquidprocess.co.nz Effluent Irrigation Pumps Slurry Distribution Partnered with
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