ATS Newsbrief November 2013
By now you should be aware of recent changes to our ATS freight free on-farm delivery service. Introduced in 2006, the freight free delivery service was initially driven by a change in regulations surrounding agri-chemicals, and was ATS’s way of assisting shareholders with delivery free on-farm. Originally no minimum purchase was required. By and large shareholders have used the service in the manner it was intended, but like anything, there have been some incidents of abuse. That, together with Neal Shaw, Group CEO substantial increased costs caused predominantly by rising fuel and Road User Charge charges in recent years led to an internal review of the service’s structure. After much deliberation ATS decided it was no longer able to offer the free freight service to members in its current form, not only because it was uneconomic, but unfair to those shareholders who did not use the service. From 1 October 2013 the new structure came into play, adopting a user-pays system for orders under $3,000, eliminating the suggestion of cross subsidisation. ATS’s freight free delivery now only applies to individual orders more than $3,000 in value, with delivery to one address. For those orders less than $3,000, ATS is happy to continue to arrange delivery on-farm of your products, but it will be on a user-pays basis with our partner TNL. The delivery service itself remains unchanged and has not been compromised any way because of the changes; we believe the freight service delivery times will improve because of a reduced number of deliveries. Where the freight free delivery service has been a condition of this season’s quoted business, ATS will honour this commitment.
Upcoming Events
15 November Canterbury Anniversary ATS will be closed Friday 15–Sunday 17 November. If members have any emergency requirements, the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
22 November Moisture Meter Clinics The NZ Moisture Meter team will be instore at ATS to test, calibrate and advise on replacement if necessary. 10am–12pm ATS Methven 1pm–4pm ATS Ashburton Unable to make it on the day? Drop your moisture meter in at an ATS branch prior and we will arrange it to be checked and returned to you upon completion. For more information contact Bill Cabout on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287)
24 November ATS Longbeach Coastal Challenge Come and experience the spectacular Mid Canterbury coastline on the historic Longbeach Estate with a great range of events to suit all levels of fitness. For more information visit www.longbeachcoastalchallenge.com
05 December Christmas with Ruralco
S h o p , s a ve &
WIN $1000!
WORTH OF d r a C Use your Ruralco draw e h t n i e r and you’
VOUCHERS
Shop, Save and Win For the months of November and December, use your Ruralco Card and you could be in with a chance to win one of three $1,000 prizes per month. Prizes are $1,000 worth of vouchers to use at the Ruralco Supplier/s of your choice. For more information check out www.ruralco.co.nz/shopsaveandwin
Pack up the family and come into Ashburton for a full day and night of shopping fun with great deals from ATS and other participating Ruralco Suppliers 9am-9pm. For more information visit www.ruralco.co.nz/ christmaswithruralco
Upcoming Industry Events
06 November Winchmore Farm Systems Group For more information, contact Juliet Lee on 021 323 834 or email Julie.lee@dairynz.co.nz
11 November Tectra advanced shearing course—Mt Hutt For more information, please contact Mark Herlihy, on 027 292 4767.
50 CELEBRATING
YEARS