| 17 nzdairy life a buzz for award winner DAIRY AWARDS » Andrew Macky Andrew with children and the jersey herd at Paterangi. They say ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and that term can certainly be applied to the story and success of Cambridge-based Shoof International Ltd. Growing up on a dairy farm practicing pioneering management systems owned by father Vern Laurent, Shoof founder Geo Laurent was always more interested in farming technologies and inding solutions than in milking cows. When a solution needed to be found for removing surplus manure from the feed platform Geo invented a tractor mounted scoop. Judges at the second ever Fieldays were so impressed with this touch of genius the scoop received an inventors award. Supported by bucket-loads of enthusiasm and patience fromwife Bev Laurent, Shoof Ltd, now Shoof International Ltd was born. With a practical, no nonsense approach to researching, developing, testing and marketing a whole raft of animal health products Shoof extended the business to also importing and marketing specialised veterinary equipment. To supply a huge market, subsidiary companies have been established in Melbourne and Chile. General Manager of Sales Matt Bailey is relishing his role in a company with a ‘can-do’ culture. “I was looking for a new challenge and Shoof International Ltd o ered the perfect situation. Full of entrepreneurial lair and positivity.” An innovative approach is always driving new product design, with on-the-ground testing of new technologies undertaken by established farmers, such as AndrewMacky. It’s this sense of collaboration, always with a view to delivering farmers the very best tools to make their farming more productive, that underpins Shoof’s successful track-record in a very competitive market. “At our head o ice in Cambridge we have a dedicated teamwhose mission it is to develop new ideas that will make our clients farming businesses better.” Once a product has been thoroughly tested to meet the company’s exacting standards Shoof International Ltd’s comprehensive network of distributors make access to their products as simple as a phone call or on-line purchase. Asked why, through the ups and downs of Covid, the company’s sales have been at record levels Matt puts it down to the values that permeate all elements of the business. “It’s a really strong culture led by a couple who genuinely care about the sta . We have many here who have worked over 20 years. They feel invested in the company and everyone wants to see it continue to thrive.” Customer support and advice is only a phone call away and on-line there’s a team ready to answer any questions. A comprehensive range of product booklets can also be accessed from the website www.shoofdirect.co.nz Innovation in animal health
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