This site complements J Swaps’ existing operations in Mt Maunganui, New Plymouth, Matamata and Bluff and has the same advantages, including MPI certification, on-site weighbridge, and strategic location ensuring quick delivery to the farm.
Dean Weastell has joined the Swap Stockfoods sales team to help expand the company’s footprint. He previously worked in the renewable energy industry, then spent six years selling oil and meal to the stockfood industry.
He has also been involved in the racing industry as an owner-breeder.He will operate out of Swap Stockfoods’ recently opened store in Prebbleton, selling direct to farmers in all regions of Canterbury, the West Coast and further north.
“We’ll establish a similar model to what J Swap runs in the North Island,” he says. “My main role is to sell to the end user – farmers.
“The new store is strategically placed in Prebbleton, near the new motorway, so we can easily load out, either straight ingredients or blends, direct to farmers.
“Farming is a bit different here in Canterbury compared to the Waikato where Swaps are based; there is more access to water and local cereals. Even for guys growing their own cereals down here, we can complement that with our range of products.
“The customer base will grow over time now the service is available here in Christchurch. Customers will see value in our products and service, and the benefit of working with a family-owned New Zealand business.
“J Swap has robust, proven systems and processes, and they have good flexibility in their supply channel with full traceability.”
The company sees room for growth in the South Island. While about 28% of the country’s dairy herds reside in the South Island, bigger herd sizes mean about 42% of NZ’s dairy cows are located there. That’s a lot of mouths to feed.
