ATS Newsbrief October 2015
ATS, and I include Ruralco when I say ATS, is the only small rural supplies co-operative left in New Zealand— the rest are gone. They have all been swallowed up and yet ATS is still here, being disruptive, creating competition and ensuring your farm input costs are kept as low as possible. That is exactly what we Neal Shaw, Group CEO should be doing and it is why small players are so important. They keep meaningful competition alive in the marketplace and without them there is no one to keep the big players in check. Scale doesn’t matter so much—it is the impact we create that is important. If you took ATS out of the marketplace, you would also lose the local connection and the ability for individuals to have a real say in how their rural supplies co-operative operates. Farmers would become only one of the masses in a big group with little sway over what matters to them in their region and on their farms.
As we look to the future, it is worth keeping these questions in mind: Why are we still here? How can we possibly survive? What makes ATS so unique? Part of our success and longevity is down to people, our culture, our single-minded focus to reduce costs for our members, and some of it is due to the care taken by the people who have worked in the co-op over its 52 year history and helped to build its reputation. ATS’s staff and its members are a team; a farming family. We work hard to encourage and foster this approach and we do it by making staff always accessible to members and by providing opportunities for the two to come together. One such example is this month’s Ashburton A&P Show. The ring-side ATS marquee at the show is a popular meeting place and we are looking forward to seeing you there again this year. No matter how small we may seem in the rural supplies market, it is worth remembering the significance of our collective ATS family and the large impact it continues to make.
UPCOMING EVENTS
26 October Labour Day
ATS will be closed Saturday 24 to Monday 26 October. If members have any emergency requirements the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
30 October & 31 October Ashburton A&P Show
ATS are proud to support the 2015 Ashburton A&P Show. Please join us at the ATS marquee for lunch. Don’t forget your Ruralco Card as you’ll need it for admittance.
13 November
Canterbury Anniversary (Show weekend) ATS will be closed Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November. If members have any emergency requirements the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
16 November
ATS Annual General Meeting Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road, Ashburton
17 November
ATS Farm Health & Safety Training For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety.
Spring pasture requirements covered
Expanding the Ruralco fuel network We have been busy growing our fuel network; this means at select Allied fuel stops across the country you can now use your Ruralco Card. Have an Allied fuel stop near you? Look for the Ruralco acceptance signage or check the Ruralco Fuel directory or Ruralco website to see whether you can use your Ruralco Card or Ruralco Mobilcard at this site and save 12¢ per litre off fuel every day. To get your own copy of the Ruralco Fuel Directory contact Ruralco on 0800 RURALNZ (787 256). Terms and conditions apply.
ATS Seed has all your spring seed requirements covered. Talk to us now about your pasture seed options and advice on what to sow after your kale, cereal green feed and fodder beet crops. It’s also a good time to look at short term ryegrass to grow some quick feed, and now is the optimum time for sowing fodder beet, maize and kale. Secure your seed supplies early along with great early season prices from ATS Seed. Contact the ATS Seed team or your Arable and Pastoral Representative on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
STORE HOURS
Ashburton Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm Saturday, 9am–12pm
Methven Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm
Rakaia Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm If you have any urgent requirements during closed hours and public holidays, the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.