Friday, 06 December 2024 10:55

Origin Ag clocks up 20 years

Written by  Mark Daniel
Origin Ag was formed as a co-operative to introduce European machinery brands to the New Zealand’s farm machinery market. Origin Ag was formed as a co-operative to introduce European machinery brands to the New Zealand’s farm machinery market.

With roots dating back to 2004, Origin Ag was formed as a co-operative business model that removed the traditional distributor, using the backing and support of farm machinery retailers, to introduce European machinery brands to the New Zealand farm machinery market.

Managing director David Donnelly, already well known in the industry as Double D, says “We knew that simply starting up a new company to import farm machinery and introduce new products would be difficult, so we needed a ‘point of difference’ that would benefit both the farm machinery retailer and their customers.”

Twenty years on, the company imports Alpego cultivation and seeding equipment, Bogballe fertiliser spreaders, Gascon cultivation equipment, Hatsenbichler air seeders and tine arrows, Joskin effluent tankers, muck spreaders and trailers, and Pottinger harvesting and cultivation equipment, cumulatively covering the agricultural, viticultural, horticultural, and civil construction trailer markets.

Origin Ag’s founding dealers are typically family owned, like the majority of its European suppliers, with both parties focusing on a customer- centric approach, who in turn are also largely family enterprises.

Currently, 28 individually owned and operated farm machinery dealer retailers cover NZ from Whangarei to Invercargill for after sales, spare parts and servicing requirements.

“We pride ourselves on providing dealers and customers a one-on-one experience, with questions, answers and solutions addressed straight away,” says David.

Darryl Russell, managing director of Piako Tractors, one of Origin Ag’s founding shareholders says, “Our customers enjoy the close-knit relationship we have with Origin Ag, meaning they can pick up the phone to Piako or Origin Ag and have an answer in a matter of minutes – a huge point of difference in the agricultural business today.

In terms of the Origin Ag products, our customer base really likes the idea that we are directly associated as a shareholder in Origin Ag, and the quality, which is second to none in many areas”.

Robby Smith, director of Stevenson and Taylor, who were one of the first dealers to sign-on back in 2005, explains: “We were excited by the access to a wide variety of gear that was not offered in New Zealand at the time. Being part of its unique cooperative structure has given us a significant advantage in the industry. Being a family business, their values align closely with ours, making our partnership all the more meaningful. Origin Ag’s motto of “We have you covered” reaffirms the company’s values and that they can provide backup service for their products all over New Zealand”.

More like this

Claas keeps investing despite tough times

Despite conditions in the farm machinery industry, which can only be described as difficult, the German-headquartered Claas Group has reported net sales of €5 billion for the 2024 financial, around €1.1 billion, or 19% lower than the corresponding period in 2023.

LDC looking to raise its game

While the LDV brand has been available in New Zealand for a number of years, it’s typically been recognised as a second tier offering. That has started to change after distribution passed to the Inchcape Group in 2023, who are on a trajectory to improve that public perspective, and in due course, push sales upwards.

Ceat buys Camso

Mostly associated with conventional tractor tyres, Indian tyre manufacturer Ceat is reported to have bought the Camso off-highway tyre and track business from Michelin for about US$225 million (NZ$400 million).

Quadtrac takes high horsepower award

Announced at the end of the year at the EIMA 2024 Event in Bologna, Italy, the Case IH Quadtrac 715 - the new flagship model in the Case IH tractor range - has won the Tractor of the Year 2025 High-Power Category for models of 300-plus horsepower.

Featured

Major shakeup for the NZ science system

The government has announced a major restructuring of the country's seven crown research institutes (CRIs), which will see them merged into three public research organisations (PROs).

Putting theory into practice

Hamish and Rachel Hammond jumped at the chance to put their university learning into practice by taking up a contract milking offer right after graduation.

Workers a big part of the farming business

"We couldn't do this without our team. They are integral to everything." That's the first thing that Te Awamutu dairy farmers Jayson and Stacey Thompson have to say about their team.

Editorial: O Canada

OPINION: The Canadian government's love affair with its lifestyle dairy farmers has got it into trouble once again.

Tough year for UK farmers

Volatile input costs, fluctuating commodity prices, a reduction in direct payments and one of the wettest periods in decades that resulted in a disastrous harvest, have left their mark and many UK farming businesses worse off.

National

New insights into rural fire risk

New student research from the University of Canterbury in partnership with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) could improve knowledge…

Embrace mechanical weeding now

Mechanical weeding is exploding in Europe because increasing resistance means they have "run out of herbicide", says Canterbury agronomist Charles…

China still a good option

The ongoing rise of the Chinese middle class will drag up demand for New Zealand products there in the future.

UAE FTA signed

New Zealand’s free trade deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has now been signed.

Machinery & Products

Batten Buddy - cleverly simple

Stopping livestock from escaping their environment is a “must do” for any farmers or landowners and at times can seem…

U10 Pro Highland a step up

A few weeks after driving the CF MOTO U10 Pro ‘entry level’ model, we’ve had a chance to test the…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Drunk on power!

OPINION: The end-of-year booze-up at the posh Northern Club in Auckland must have been a beauty, as the legal 'elite'…

Time has come?

OPINION: It divides opinion, but the House has passed the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter