RURAL NEWS // JULY 14, 2020
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS / RURAL TRADER 35 Made in NZ...
Businesses MADE IN NZ
Sebco
A LOOK AT HOME-GROWN COMPANIES
Made in New Zealand is a feature that looks at the wealth of design and manufacturing ability we have in New Zealand, producing productive and cost-effective products for the agricultural sector. This issue, machinery editor Mark Daniel takes a closer look at Sebco, catching up with owner Ed Harrison. Q - When was the company founded, by whom and why (was it to solve a problem or market a product)? Sebco was launched back in 2007, by Ed and Leah Harrison to solve the issue of having to bund old style overhead diesel tanks. There was a need in the market for a new type of storage vessel, bunded and with a modern pumping. One that protected the environment from spills and that kept fuel clean, safe and secure. Q - Where are you located is it single or multiple sites and how many people are employed? We are in Ashburton, Mid Canterbury. At any time, there can be up to 15 people employed in the sales, manufacture, dispatch and delivery of Sebco products all over New Zealand. Q- What are your key products and which markets do they serve? Sebco diesel stations, serving the agricultural and industrial markets for the storage and dispensing of diesel fuel. Sebco Blue stations, serving agricultural and transport operations. These units are used for the storage and dispensing of AdBlue. Sebco Waste oil collection tanks, serving various markets, from ag, industrial and others such as the Defence Force
through to marinas – all needing a clean tidy collection of used oil. Q- Are your products unique? If so, what are the four key benefits? If not unique, what are the four unique selling points? Our unique bunded design stops any condensation build up in the main tank. This design stops any rain or debris entering the bunded area so protection of the environment is enhanced. As there is no condensation, and the tanks are not constructed of steel, there is no rotting or rusting. This means the cleanest possible fuel holding – great for common rail diesel engines. All pumping equipment and fuel management systems are locked up inside the secure bunded area when not in use. The pumps are high capacity with auto shut off nozzles. Delivery to our tanks is on ground. There are no ladders to climb, so they are very safe to use. Q - Looking at an everevolving market, what changes have you made over the last few years, or what will you have to do moving forwards (this might have required design or manufacturing changes, reworks to enter new sectors or the incorporation of electronics)? We have now designed
a specialist chemical range of tanks for the storage of industrial chemicals. We have upgraded our fuel management system to now interface with a user’s smartphone via Bluetooth, providing better security and cloud-based reporting. Q- What has been the company’s greatest success since its formation? When we launched, we won the South Island Field Days Innovation award and then also won the National Fieldays Innovation award. We also won numerous Plastics NZ awards for design and environmental outcomes. Our greatest success, though, would have to be the sheer numbers of Sebco diesel stations that we have sold all over New Zealand. Also, just how extremely happy the users of these are with them. The feedback we get from operators has been as good as: “it’s the best thing I have bought for the farm.” Q - In contrast, what has been the biggest “Oh Bugger” moment or the steepest learning curve? When starting out, trusting that others in the supply chain would do as they say, or work to the same high level of quality was a learning curve. Q - If you were approached by someone looking to start a business, what would
be your three key pieces of advice? Get a good team of advisors around you. Possibly start with your council’s business development officer or someone with business acumen and go from there with advice. People will always help if asked in a positive way. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Test, test and test again. The last thing any new business needs is failures in the field. Know your market as best you feel you can. Q - Where do you see the company in the next three, five and ten years? What changes do you foresee to keep relevant and grow your business? We see the growth in
Sebco managing director Ed Harrison.
technology with regards to reporting information as our area of specific growth. We are introducing new management systems with Bluetooth capability that report direct to smartphones and computers as an example. We will continue to grow our product offering in an organic manner, as and when market forces dictate. With growing environmental requirements coming upon industry our solutions provide an economical and easy to use solution.
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