ATS Newsbrief July 2015
Recent articles in the Ashburton Guardian during June have been very misleading and deserve a response. Senior Management and the Board of Directors have reviewed the articles and we have chosen to communicate with you directly. Unfortunately the reporter involved did not contact me to fact-check any of the financial information and as a consequence much of the detail is wrong and many incorrect assumptions have been made. While ATS’s group turnover decreased by 50%, this was because we sold our card business into the Ruralco joint venture, therefore we could not count 100% of that business as ours. Now that ATS has 100% ownership of Ruralco, our turnover will double in the coming financial year.
Neal Shaw, Group CEO
The decrease in overall spend from $85,000 per ATS shareholder to $42,000 was a calculation based on excluding the card business from the ATS business. There were also “non cash” adjustments to the previous year’s Annual Report
and this was also incorrectly reported, once again because the facts were not checked before the article went to print. The conversations and speculation around merging with Farmlands have been entirely driven by the reporter phoning Farmlands and asking them that question. The reporter likewise asked “un-named sources” why farmers were leaving ATS in their droves. This is also factually incorrect and once again driven by the reporter. If ATS has issues with its business it will most certainly front-up to Shareholders and will not debate such matters through the Guardian or any other media outlet. Members have been extremely positive in terms of their responses to us and I believe they have been able to see through the sub-standard level of reporting displayed in these three articles. As always I make myself completely available to anyone who wishes to discuss any ATS matters with me. Please feel free to pick up the phone or send me an email.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ATS Instore Days 9–10 July
Check out www.ats.co.nz/ ATSInstoreDaysCatalogue2015 for more information
PrimaryITO sheep and cattle level 4 course 13 July, Timaru
Supported by B+LNZ, this course covers: Feed allocation, budgeting skills, pasture production, mating, calving/ lambing, animal nutrition, and health. For more information or to enrol, email Rachael Handy at rachael.handy@primaryito.ac.nz or call her on 0800 20 80 20.
Resilient Farmer Road Show 14 July, Cheviot 15 July, Rangiora 16 July, Christchurch
Doug Avery’s Resilient Farmer was created to ensure farmers and their communities are ready for tomorrow’s challenges. Using seminars and ongoing mentoring, it aims to support farmers across three pillars: financial, environmental, and social. For more information or to sign up visit www.resilientfarmer.co.nz
ATS Farm Health & Safety Training Dates 2015 18 August 22 September 17 November
For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety.
More options for paying your account Don’t forget you can now pay your ATS account by credit card. This convenient payment option can create up to 55 days credit depending on when purchases are made during the month. Plus by paying your account with this option, you can also take advantage of any loyalty programme your credit card has. Surcharges for this service apply (1% for regular recurring payments and 1.75% for payments made on an ad hoc basis). All surcharges will be charged by ATS to your credit card at the time payments are processed and will appear on your ATS statement. The surcharge shown on your statement will be offset by the credit card payment you have already made. All Visa and MasterCard’s are accepted. For more information and to take advantage of this option, call the ATS Finance team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Would you like your statement emailed? We now have the capability to email statements and invoices on the 5th working day of each month. If you have an unreliable postal service or simply prefer your statements electronically, please contact ATS on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) to arrange this. Hard copies will still be posted.
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.
Keeping safe with ATS ATS in conjunction with Unique Solutions are running Farm Safety Training Courses, designed to ensure you meet the new health and safety requirements due to take effect this year. The courses include relevant documentation and information on how you can lower your ACC levies. The next courses will take place on 18 August and 22 September and cost $550 (GST and member discount inclusive). Seating is strictly limited. If you would like to know more please call Peter Jacob on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287), or to book a spot on our training courses email book@ats.co.nz or visit www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety.
Have you got your Calving Checklist? A Calving Checklist is a great tool to use when you visit us at the 2015 ATS Instore Days. You can fill it in at home and use it as a shopping list on the day to ensure you get the best deals available. Your checklist can also be given to your account manager in the Customer Service Centre to arrange timing and delivery according to your onfarm requirements. For more information or to get your free calving checklist contact our Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
RURALCO SUPPLIER UPDATES Please visit www.ruralco.co.nz for more new suppliers and information on locations and contact details. Real discounts for real farmers
NEW SUPPLIERS
Ashburton
Are you paying too much for your electricity? ATS Energy can provide you with a free no obligation comparison from our energy partners so you can see if there are any potential savings to be had for your home or farm by paying your electricity accounts through ATS. Contact ATS Energy Account Manager Tracey Gordon today on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Future proofing your herd Giving calves the best possible start is a great way to future proof your herd. ATS can help and has all the options you need to optimise your calves’ potential. We have a range of products, calf feed and calf milk replacements that will ensure your calves stay healthy, minimizing death and disease losses so you can raise quality replacements for your herd. Come in and see the team at ATS and make sure your calves get the best start to life. We can also help with your calf drenching needs and can generate a quote based on your on-farm needs. Contact ATS today on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) for all your calving requirements.
The ATS Instore Days 9–10 July The 21st annual ATS Instore Days are here! For those of you unfamiliar with them, it has been described as a mini-field days, and is a great opportunity for you to come along and make the most of some fantastic deals on offer from both ATS Farm Supplies and Ruralco suppliers. It is also a great place to catch up with other members, farmers and their families from throughout the central South Island. Make sure you remember to bring your Ruralco Card. Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton
Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz
DOAKY’S PLUMBING LTD Nett-10% discount
Use your Ruralco Card and save these Instore Days
ARTHUR CATES RADIATORS Nett-10% discount
Christchurch
Receive 25¢ discount per litre of fuel at selected Mobil service stations from 9–11 July 2015 only. Participating Mobil service stations are: Amberley, Ashburton, Aranui, Bealey Avenue, Creyke Road, Hagley South, Madras Street, Papanui, Redwood, St Martins, Sydenham, Wainoni, Wigram, Woolston, Methven, Rakaia and Omarama Service Station. A limit of 200 litres per transaction applies. Check out www.ruralco.co.nz for more info.
ASURE AMALFI MOTOR LODGE Best deal of the day
Dunsandel DUNSANDEL CAFÉ & STORE Nett-7% discount
Pleasant Point PLEASANT POINT SUPERMARKET Convenience
South Island Wide
New neighbours? Do you have new neighbours? Then let them know about ATS and why they should join your local farm supplies co-op. If you are on the move please let ATS know so we can keep our database up to date, and to make sure you don’t miss out on any important information. To update your details or to help your new neighbour join ATS please contact the Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Making sure your wet weather gear fits Having correctly fitted wet weather gear is crucial over the winter months if you want to keep warm and dry. ATS will now arrange for either Line7 or Betacraft over-trousers to be altered free of charge. All we need to know is the amount you need taken off the bottom and we will order the corrected length. Both of these companies also offer free repairs on their garments. These items must be clean and dry before they are brought into ATS. Please be aware courier fees apply for items being sent away. If you have any questions call the Gift and Homeware shop on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
MITRE 10 Nett-10% discount
ATS Seed has all your spring pasture options ATS Seed has all your spring seed and treatment requirements covered. Talk to us now about your pasture seed options to sow after your kale, cereal greenfeed, and fodder beet crops. We can also help with short term ryegrass if you are looking to grow some quick feed. Contact the ATS Seed team, your ATS Arable and Pastoral Representative or the ATS Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) for more information.
www.ats.co.nz