Company aims for 30 p.c. of stock and station market

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 22

Company aims for 30 p.c. of stock and station market

In just two years of operation in New Zealand, Elders Pastoral has become well established as a national rural servicing organisation. Mr Bob Giffen, the Elders executive director for New Zealand, says that the company is aiming to capture 30 per cent of the stock and station market in the short term. He heads a recently formed team of top executives who have been drawn from a wide background, mainly from New Zealand. Mr Giffen started in the industry as a junior branch salesman (stock agent) rising through the Elders organisation to his present position, which he took up in November, 1986. Since Elders came on to the scene in New Zealand

in 1985 (the parent company is Elders IXL, Ltd, of Adelaide), considerable expansion and progress has already been achieved, and the organisation now comprises more than 1100 staff and services, all New Zealand. Guiding the establishment of Elders in New Zealand is an advisory board, chaired by Mr Bob Gunn, who is a member of the Elders IXL Board.

Mr Brian Palmer, a prominent farmer from North Canterbury, is also an advisory board member, which ensures local input and direction. The development of Elders in the South Island has involved the extension into stock and station commission activities such as woolbroking, livestock agencies, real estate, and insurance agencies in all areas north of Balclutha.

Previously, the branches at Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton, Leeston, Hornby, Belfast and Blenheim were mainly involved in grain and seed activities with associated farm inputs. In addition, branches have been established in some areas where there, was no previous activity. These include Mosgiel, Greymouth and Nelson.

In Christchurch, a reorganised branch structure has been introduced to establish one branch to service those areas previously covered by Hornby and Belfast.

The Hornby store and staff has been transferred to the main branch on Blenheim Road, while the Belfast store will be maintained and developed as a second merchandise outlet.

Heading a small team of area staff who are responsible for the development of Elders Pastoral in the South Island is Mr Keith Whiteside, area manager.

“We have almost achieved our initial objective of full coverage for all our services throughout the South Island and our next step is to develop our market share to a minimum of 30 per cent within two years,” Mr Whiteside says.

“We have been delighted with the initial reception we are receiving in all areas, and we are confident that with the financial backing and innovative servicing which we intend to provide, we will attain our market share objective,” he said.