Monday, 23 July 2018 10:54

Standout blue by any name

Written by  Mark Daniel
Landcrusier deck-mounted sprayers are popular with contractors. Top left: New logo. Landcrusier deck-mounted sprayers are popular with contractors. Top left: New logo.

Farmers, fruit or vege growers, vineyard owners or rural contractors -- most either know of or own gear made by Bertolini, whose distinctive blue tanks make them a standout in any field. 

The company has recently changed its name: from June 1 it was renamed BA Pumps & Sprayers, under the same ownership and business model.

Bertolini Australasia was formed in 1989 by Mark, Penny and Guy Rendle, with Richard Skeates, when they secured the rights to sell Bertolini pumps in New Zealand from Iddromeccanica Bertolini SpA of Italy. 

They went on to develop a range of equipment using the large range of agricultural and industrial pumps available to them, and developed a wide range of sprayers and pressure cleaning equipment.

Today the range includes sprayers, pressure cleaners and fertiliser spreaders, and the company is the sole distributor of Iddromeccanica Bertolini pumps, Collard vineyard equipment, Boisselet under-vine equipment and TeeJet agricultural products. 

If customers can’t find what they need, the in-house design and engineering team can custom build gear to order.

Custom-built sprayers are popular with rural spraying contractors, especially those built for truck or Toyota Landcruiser; an extensive array of options includes 1000L or larger tanks, hydraulic spray booms with wing lift, GPS, ABSC autorate controllers and airbag suspension. 

The business has remained loyal in using as many New Zealand suppliers as possible, rather than outsourcing manufacturing and quality control overseas; most products are certified as NZ-made.

Growth prompted a move in 2017 to a new, purpose-built facility 5km from Cambridge; staff numbers grew and production capacity expanded.

More like this

BA Pumps expand

Cambridge based BA Pumps & Sprayers, specialists in New Zealand-made spraying equipment, has acquired Tokoroa Engineering’s product range, including the iconic Milk Bar mobile calf feeder products, alongside calf and feed trailers.

Spraying smarter to grow better

In a competitive and dynamic landscape such as viticulture, the ability to effectively trial, evaluate and embed innovations can provide a distinct advantage.

Made in NZ: BA Pumps

Made in New Zealand is a feature that looks at the wealth of design and manufacturing ability we have in New Zealand, producing productive and cost-effective products for the agricultural sector. This week, we take a closer look at BA Pumps and Sprayers, catching up with directors, Mark, Penny and Guy Rendle.

Featured

IrrigationNZ warns RMA reform may miss water needs

Irrigation NZ is warning that the government's Resource Management Act (RMA) reform risks falling short of its objectives unless water use for food production and water storage infrastructure are clearly recognised in the goals at the top of the new system.

Jessica Kilday wins BrightSIDE dairy scholarship

The South Island Dairy Event's BrightSIDE has named Jessica Kilday as the recipient of the BrightSIDE Scholarship, recognising her commitment to furthering her education and future career in the New Zealand dairy industry.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Happy Days

OPINION: The good news keeps getting better for NZ dairy farmers.

Begging Bowl

OPINION: With export of livestock by sea dead in the water, opponents of the Gene Technology Bill think they can…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter