Livestock restructured to increase efficiency with three area managers appointed

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 27

Livestock restructured to increase efficiency with three area managers appointed

In a move towards even greater efficiency, Challenge Meats has restructured its livestock division to include area managers for its three chief procurement regions between Invercargill and Ashburton. The regions have been named Southern, which takes in Invercargill, Lumsden, Otautau, Winton and Wyndham; Eastern, which covers all Eastern Southland and South Otago; and Northern, encompassing Central Otago, North Otago and Canterbury. George Kelly is southern area manager, Lindsay Tweedie heads the eastern area team and Peter Grieve takes charge of the northern area. Alistair Cowan, with more than 30 years in the industry heads the 20strong team of experienced company representatives who are totally committed to Challenge’s aim to be an industry leader. Alistair says that commitment is reflected in Challenge’s performance in the industry last season, and in the years before. "All Challenge drafters are well recognised in their areas as knowledgeable, genuine, and dedicated. "They are committed to their work and know it well.

“They are also committed to earning the trust of suppliers and of the farming community in general.” Alistair points out that having farmer trust is very important to Challenge as it strives for a partnership relationship with its suppliers. “In today’s market, stock drafters have to be more a true company representative than ever before, and Challenge drafters are working to be just that,” he said. The following are pen portraits of Challenge’s livestock department representatives. Alistair Cowan: Live-: stock manager. Alistair has worked in livestock in Southland all his working life as stock agent, lamb drafter and livestock manager. Alistair is married with three children and enjoys trap shooting, fishing and gardening. He has an interest in most sports, as well as a keen interest in the share market. George Kelly: Area manager. Southern region. Based in Invercargill, George is entering his third season with Challenge Meats as a stock buyer. George has worked in the livestock industry for many years and, before joining Challenge, was an agent for Dalgety’s for 12 years. George is married

with two children and his spare time interests are hunting, fishing and general outdoors. Lindsay Tweedie: Area manager Eastern region. Lindsay is based at Gore and this will be his fifth season with Challenge Meats. Prior to this he worked in the Eastern Southland region for Wrightson. He is married with three children and has a keen interest in rugby at all levels. A former Southland senior rugby representative, Lindsay now coaches the Eastern Southland rep. side. He also runs a small farmland enjoys racing. Peter Grieve: Area manager Northern region. Peter is based at Dunedin and has worked in the farming and livestock industry in Southland and Otago since leaving school. Peter is entering his second season with Challenge Meats after some years working for Wrightson’s as agent, supervisor and auctioneer. Peter is married with three children and enjoys all sports, particularly rugby which he played for many years, and now coaches at senior level. lan Williamson: Administration manager. Based at Challenge head office in Invercargill, lan has only recently joined Challenge Meats following some 20 years with Borthwicks in Southland.

He is responsible for all Challenge livestock administration. lan is married with three children and is a keen squash player, fisherman and gardener. Dick McArthur: Based in Alexandra, this will be Dick’s second season with Challenge following a successful first season last year. Dick worked in Central Otago for the prevous 12 years for Borthwicks and is well known in the area. He is married with four children and enjoys curling, with other interests in rowing, rugby and the production of fine wool. Wayne Cook: Based in Alexandra, Wayne came to Challenge Meats last year following 14 years with Canterbury Frozen Meat. He too had a very successful first season with Challenge in Central Otago region last year. Wayne is married with two children and has interests in jet boating, fishing and racing. Bede McKenzie: Based in Invercargill, Bede is entering his second season for Challenge. Previously he worked in the mercantile industry. Bede is married with three children who occupy most of his spare time. He is also a keen follower of rugby. Shane Dickson: Shane is based at Tapanui and enters his second season with Challenge after some five years with Farmers Co-op. He has had a successful career in boxing with many titles to his credit, and is also a rugby fan. Shane is recently married. Neil Hanning: Based in Lumsden, Neil is another entering his second season with Challenge. He joined after many years working for Waitaki in the Gore area. Neil is married with two children and has a small farm which keeps him busy in his spare time.

Peter Watt: Peter is a Southlander now based in Timaru who has always worked in the livestock industry. He joined Challenge Meats last year after some 15 years in Clinton buying stock for Waitaki International. Peter is married with three children and involved with the Lions Club, rugby and follows the trots. He also keeps an eye on the sharemarket. Peter Nimmo: Peter has spent all his working life as a stock agent in the Otago region. Prior to joining Challenge he worked for Wrightsons and DMBA (now Challenge owned). Peter is married with three children and is a fitness freak with special interests in running marathons, tramping and playing golf. Alan Stalker: Alan is based at Mossburn and enters his third season with Challenge. Previously he worked in the same area for Elders. Alan is married with three children and farms sheep in partnership with his wife. Alan is also a keen squash player and follower of dog trials and rugby when time allows. Graeme Macßeth: Based in Otautau in Western Southland, Graeme worked for many years for Dalgetys before joining Challenge three years ago. He is married with three children and describes himself as a community . minded family man who enjoys squash and the following of children’s athletics. Murray Pryde: Heriot based, Murray has worked for Challenge for the past 11 years. Prior to that he worked for Borthwicks in the Central Otago region. Murray runs a small farm, plays golf and likes to go boating in his spare time. He is married with three children.

Jim Gray: Based in Winton, Jim this year enters his seventh season with Challenge, and is therefore well known in the area. He is a keen family man with three children and is interested in rugby and cricket administration. Jim joined Challenge after years In the mercantile industry. Ron McDonald: Ron is based at Gore and worked for many years for PPCS before joining Challenge Meats nine years ago. He is well known in the Eastern Southland area having spent most of his working life in the region. Ron is married with three children and lists his interests as golf, dog trialling and farming. Tony Brun: Now based at Timaru, Tony has worked for Challenge for the past six years from Clinton. Prior to joining Challenge he worked for Farmers Co-op at Gore. Tony has spent all his working life in the industry. He is due to marry in February, and lists his interests as water-skiing, softball, rugby, tennis and all water sports. He was, until his move to Timaru, a Clinton town councillor.

Struan McCrostle: Struan is based at Riversdale and this will be his fourth season with Challenge in that area. Prior to this he worked for Elders also in the Riversdale area. Struan is married and is a keen sportsman with special interests in rugby (he has represented Northern Southland), and cricket. Bruce Campbell: Bruce has spent all his working life in the livestock industry, firstly with Dalgetys before joining Challenge four years ago. He is well known in the Wyndham region where he is based. Bruce is married with two children. He is keen on rugby and is heavily involved in parent/teacher activities. Dave Matheson: As chairman of the Clinton town council, Dave is a well known figure in the South Otago region and this will be his fifth season with Challenge. Formerly from Dalgety, Dave has always worked in the livestock industry. Married with two children, Dave is interested in local affairs, rugby, and his family. He runs his own small farm in Clinton.