Friday, 29 January 2021 08:55

NZ ag machinery sector looks to brighter times

Written by  Mark Daniel
TAMA president Kyle Baxter. TAMA president Kyle Baxter.

While some parts of the New Zealand economy have been damaged beyond repair by the Covid-19 pandemic, the country’s ag machinery sector is not one of them.

“There is a large swath of businesses that continue to show massive resilience to everything that has being thrown at them in the past year,” Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter told Rural News. “With the agri sector, certainly one of the strongest performers.”

However, Baxter notes that many TAMA member companies are seeing first-hand the challenges that European suppliers have to deal with on a daily basis. This includes both regional and country-wide lockdowns that are changing on a daily / weekly basis, causing huge upheaval to supply chains – all of which is affecting supply to NZ.

At present, global shipping is causing the greatest upheavals for the industry. Baxter warns that this might result in delays to the supply of parts and equipment into and out of NZ during the first half of 2021.

“I encourage each of our members to discuss the impact of these potential shipping delays with staff and more importantly, their customers,” he says. “The sooner a business can identify potential supply problems, the more time they will have to look for alternative solutions to keep your customers operational.”

He also adds that the annual discussions around “indent ordering” appearing to be happening quite a bit earlier than previous years, with many customers already making a commitment on spring 2021 equipment to secure delivery in a timely manner.

Looking ahead, Baxter says the organisation is well into the planning of its second bi-annual TAMA Conference in Christchurch on 27 August. Running the theme of “Growing our World”, the event – with principal sponsor Rural News – will bring member companies up to date with industry trends, best practice and innovative solutions.

It will also see three Emerging Talent Awards presented for sales, parts & service staff working in the ag sector.

Additionally, TAMA is also looking to give boost to people just starting their careers in the industry. It recently announced scholarships for industry trainees, who are studying towards a certificate or diploma standards, the chance to pick up a $500 bonus.  For more information visit: https://tama.org.nz/industry-training-scholarships/

More like this

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this season.

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting the most from each pass of the paddock.

Kioti carves out a miracle among the big boys

Distributed by Power Farming Group, the Kioti tractor brand has carved a niche for itself over the past two decades by offering productive, reliable and well- priced machines in the sub-compact, compact and agricultural utility sectors, from 22 to 115hp.

Featured

LIC Space folds for good

Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Are they serious?

OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter