X marks the spot
While many car manufacturers set out to cater for all sectors of the market, it’s fair to say that Subaru has “stuck to its knitting”.
"It's the perfect way to make your ute or SUV stand out and offers more protection at the same time," says Best Bars chief executive Stephen de Kriek.
Steel may be the real deal when it comes to tough bars and accessories for protecting a work ute or city SUV, but it's often the shiny looks that seal the deal.
In spite of the recent popularity of the matt black finish, more utes and SUVs are going onto New Zealand roads sporting brightly polished bars and fittings made from stainless steel than at any time in the past 30 years.
"It's the perfect way to make your ute or SUV stand out and offers more protection at the same time," says Best Bars chief executive Stephen de Kriek.
"Stainless steel keeps its shine and good looks for much longer than other materials and it's very robust."
Best Bars, also known for its towbars, has expanded the range of stainless steel products offered under the Advantage accessory brand name to meet the demand of the buoyant ute and SUV market.
The latest Advantage stainless steel range now includes a variety of sports bars mounted behind the cab of a ute, cab protectors, front nudge bars, rear protection bars and side bars or pipes.
The stainless steel range differs from similar imported products, because they are designed and manufactured to a high standard, especially match vehicles and their style, and take account of the safety critical components of these products such as nudge bars and their potential interaction with safety airbags.
"Best Bars sources the best grade and thickness of stainless steel possible for automotive outdoor use – the 304 grade," says de Kriek. "Good quality stainless steel is very resistant to light scratches and knocks and it keeps its appearance."
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks says while it's still early days in terms of the kiwifruit harvest, things are looking pretty good.

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