ATS Newsbrief August 2013

ATS Newsbrief August 2013

By now you will have received your new Ruralco Cards in the mail and will be starting to enjoy the increased benefits now available to you, your farming business and your family across wider Canterbury and beyond.

The new Ruralco Cards replace your existing ATS cards and within a month your old ATS cards will Neal Shaw, Chief Executive be deactivated. While your new Ruralco Card looks different, it has all the benefits of your ATS card plus more. If you had a pin number on your ATS card, your new Ruralco Card already has that pin loaded and is ready to use immediately. If you didn’t have a pin on your ATS card, then at the time of your first purchase the first four numbers entered will become your new Ruralco Card’s pin number or you can continue to sign for your purchases Launched in July, Ruralco marks an exciting new era for the co-operative which will set ATS up for the future. Ruralco provides ATS with the platform to expand business opportunities and grow the business without having to invest in the expense of establishing stores nationwide or compromising ATS’s existing culture.

Ruralco is a 50:50 joint venture between ATS and Ravensdown, utilising ATS’s card service experience and technology, nothing more. It’s simply about two co-operatives working together for the mutual benefit of their cardholders, while leaving other core business interests unchanged. ATS will continue to do what it’s always done, with Ravensdown’s focus remaining on delivering nutrient management services and fertiliser.

ATS has operated a successful card services business (your old ATS card) since 1963 which has provided members with unprecedented charging abilities and discounts through a growing number of accredited local and national suppliers. While this essentially hasn’t changed, joining together with Ravensdown under the Ruralco banner gives ATS access to their substantial farmer shareholder base nationwide, which in turn will allow expansion of the Ruralco Card nationally. Over time, shareholders of both co-operatives will see the real benefits from a combined purchasing power of 20,000 real farmers (as opposed to ATS’s 3000+) through broader, improved discounts on offer than ever before, across a wider geographic area.

As members of ATS you will receive your ATS bill monthly including all purchases on your Ruralco Card as usual. Ravensdown shareholders will be able to take advantage of all Ruralco discounts. Purchases made on their Ruralco Cards will appear on their next Ravensdown account. You will not receive a separate Ruralco bill or statement.

The success of Ruralco will filter back to ATS and ultimately create additional revenue to you as shareholders through your member rebates.

From the outset our supplier network has been supportive of the initiative, and nationally we have received great interest from potential suppliers across a wide range of products and services who are keen to join in the Ruralco family.

It is a very exciting time for members and I look forward to sharing the success of Ruralco with you in years to come.

Upcoming Events

20 August and 17 September Farm Safety Manual and Training for Members For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/ farmsafety

21 August ATS Celebrates its 50th Birthday

29 August ATS Seed Grain Growers Evening For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or email atsseed@ats.co.nz

Upcoming Industry Events

5–7 August New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management Conference: Lincoln Supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, this three-day conference runs from Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 August.

For more information, go to NZIPIM website www.nzipim.co.nz

14 August Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards: Invercargill If you are interested in attending the second annual showcase of New Zealand sheep farming excellence, contact Paul McCauley on 027 522 3499 or paul.mccauley@beeflambnz.com

12 September Dairy Holdings Canterbury Discussion Group The purpose of this group is to discuss relevant seasonal topics to aid decision making on farm in a CELEBRATING timely manner.

For more information contact Juliette Lee YEARS on 021 323 834 or email juliette.lee@dairynz.co.nz

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Improving Direct Debits The ATS improved Direct Debit process that excludes returns means that the amount on your statement will now be the same as the amount taken from your bank account. If you have a query on a Supplier or ATS Retail invoice we are able to hold this amount from the Direct Debit. If you would like a Direct Debit Authority form or require any further information please contact Niki-Lee Francis, Office Manager, on 0800 BUY ATS(289 287).

Do you have grain that you want to buy or sell?

Then the new ATS Trader is perfect for you: • As a grower you can list your grain for sale while you also have access to all the buyers who have listed their requirements for grain • As an end user you can list your requirements while you also have access to all the sellers who have listed their grain for sale • Payment and quality guarantees • Scaled commission rates for volume sales The ATS Trader is exclusive to ATS members. Talk to the ATS Seed team today and try out the new ATS Trader on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).

Today’s farmers and land owners are required to actively manage all aspects of on-farm health and safety. To assist with this process, ATS is offering members access to a farm safety manual and relevant training. Upon completion of the training, members will be able to apply for a discount on their ACC levies.

Next training dates are 20 August, 17 September & 22 October 2013 at a cost of $550 (GST and member discount inclusive). Seating is limited, so get in fast. For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Peter Jacob on 03 307 5124 or 0800 BUY ATS (289 287), or online at www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety

Updating your ATS account Following the recent dairy changeovers, it may be timely for you to update your information with ATS. This can include: •

Ruralco Card authorisation and the names of those you allow to use your ATS number;

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The holders of an Approved Handler Certificate, Dangerous Goods Licence or a Toxic Substances Licence.

Where staff have moved on, it may also be necessary to advise ATS of those no longer entitled to use your ATS number or their sub accounts.

Notice to Southern Cross members paying quarterly As from 1 September 2013 all members whom are currently billed quarterly in advance via their Ruralco Card will be billed monthly in advance. This change has become necessary to allow us to make any adjustments on a more regular basis which in turn will provide a better service for affected members. An example would be providing credits for adjustments in Southern Cross premiums. This means the next payment which will show on your August ATS statement for premiums due on 1 September will be for a one month in advance payment. Further invoicing will continue in this manner. Thank you for your understanding with regards to this matter.

Is your Approved Handlers Certificate up to date?

Your Approved Handler Certificate may be expired or about to expire. Please contact Peter Jacob on 03 307 5124 or 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) and he will help you with your renewal process.

Telecom Billing Please note that the “Identifier” on your ATS statement for your Telecom charges is now your Telecom account number instead of your telephone number. This will be effective from your July statement onwards.

Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton

Farm Safety Training for Members

All of these useful details can be updated on your account by contacting the Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).

Check your electricity is in order Electricity Door Knockers—Please be aware when you are approached by a door knocker that the majority do not work directly for the electricity company so are not aware of all the options available. Please check with ATS Energy if you want to put payment through ATS to ensure there are no problems going forward before signing any contract.

Pre-Season Checks - With the busy season starting it’s a good time to check you are on the best option for the new season. Call ATS Energy to have a check done on your electricity account on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287)

Protecting your account Please protect yourself from fraudulent use of your account by presenting your Ruralco Card at the time of making a purchase.

Suppliers you deal with may not be able to process your transaction if you cannot produce your Ruralco Card at point of sale, so please remember to have your card with you.

Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz

Ruralco Suppliers Check out www.ruralco.co.nz for the list of new Ruralco suppliers

Use your Ruralco Card now It’s everything ATS members appreciate plus some.

The only change for members is that your Ruralco Card will replace your ATS card. The rules around its use remain the same, so put the Ruralco Card in your wallet, cut up your ATS card and away you go.

If you have not received your Ruralco Card yet or need extra cards for your account, please contact Ruralco on 0800 RURALNZ (787 256).

The Ruralco Card is accepted at Mobil Service Stations in the Central South Island. Purchasing is as simple as swiping your card, hitting “credit”, entering your pin, and collecting your receipt. However, currently there are some Mobil Service Stations that have unattended payment terminals for after-hours purchases, or on their truck stop pumps where the Ruralco Card is not yet accepted. To purchase fuel at these unattended payment terminals you will need a Mobilcard (either an ATS Mobilcard or a Ruralco Fuel Card). Ruralco is working to enable you to use your Ruralco Card at truck stops and unattended payment terminals. We will advise you when this is complete.

For more information regarding your Ruralco Card or to check out new suppliers, please visit www.ruralco.co.nz

Cancelling Cards Reminder to all cardholders that if you have any cards that you want cancelled then you do need to let us know. Cutting up the card will not take it out of the system, it will keep being reissued until we are notified. For more information or if you would like to know what cards are held under which accounts you can contact Ruralco on 0800 RURALNZ (787 256).

ATS Seed Grain Growers Evening ATS Seed invite you to a Grain Growers Information Evening on Thursday 29 August 2013. More information on the industry speakers will be available soon. To RSVP contact ATS Seed by calling 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or emailing atsseed@ats.co.nz before Monday 19 August.

www.ats.co.nz