ATS Newsbrief June 2014
Neal Shaw, Group CEO
ATS’s vision is to lower input costs for farmers. We are always looking at our business to ensure we continue to deliver on this promise and it is for this reason we have recently restructured the way we serve our dairy farming members.
We have discontinued our on-the-road dairy rep service, and have shifted this facet of our business to the ATS Customer Service Centre. The Customer Service Centre is now the touch point for dairy farmers, and each member of the team has a dedicated list of farmers they will communicate with to advise them about promotions, pricing and relevant events. Generally, dairy reps are responsible for supplying commodity type items, which can easily be ordered over the phone. The cost of having reps on the road all day, every day is relatively high when compared to the business generated. Our aim is to lower costs to farmers and it is more efficient and effective to provide a high level of service through our Customer Service Centre than having dairy reps driving around the countryside. The other benefit is that it should enable us to put pressure on pricing now that our overheads have been reduced. This change does not affect our two arable and pastoral reps who deliver a different kind of service and have been able to demonstrate clear value to ATS Members. Commodity items such as dairy detergents, magnesium and milk powder can be dealt with through the Customer Service Centre, but if you want technical advice on how to control pests and disease and information regarding your brassica and maize crops, then you can talk to our arable reps. These reps provide an overall service to the ATS Members rather than being specifically aligned to Dairying. Customer service means different things to different people, but at the end of the day most agree it is about delivering on the promise of pricing and service. Our Customer Service Centre will continue to deliver a personalised, efficient and cost effective service via a phone call instead of driving out to the property. The value of field reps is not a unique issue, this issue is currently being faced by others in our sector who I understand are also reviewing rep servicing. Regardless of the outcomes of any such reviews, to continue doing the same thing just because everyone else is isn’t a good enough reason. As a co-operative we are here for the members—you own us. We have to enhance the service we offer you.
Upcoming Events
Farm Safety Training for Members 17 June 22 July 19 August 16 September 21 October 18 November For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety Upcoming Industry Events
Primary ITO Train the Trainer Workshops 11 June, Timaru 17 June, Glenavy For more information on this free workshop, please contact your local Primary ITO adviser on 0800 20 20 20 or email info@agservices.co.nz.
11–14 June National Field Days Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton. For more information visit www.fieldays.co.nz
17 June Rakaia Pasture Plus It is aimed at people who are currently controlling pasture management decisions on farm. If you are interested in joining, please contact Natalia Benquet on 021 2877 059 or email natalia.benquet@dairynz.co.nz.
26 June Ballance Farm Environment Awards: National Sustainability Showcase Location: Rydges Hotel, 30 Latimer Square, Christchurch
10 July
Have you got free grain for sale? ATS Seed is always looking for all types of grain to supply a wide range of end users. If you have free/ uncontracted grain that you would like to sell please contact ATS Seed. Drop in your sample at any ATS Store, with an ATS Rep or contact the ATS Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) to arrange sample bags or pick up.
Lincoln University Dairy Farm Focus Day For more information phone 03 423 0022 or email office @siddc.org.nz.
Is your Approved Handler Certificate valid?
Disconnection of your electricity account
Now is a good time to check your Approved Handler Certificate and Growsafe expiry status. If yours is about to expire it is important they are renewed so you can continue to purchase or apply chemicals. Please contact Peter Jacob on 03 307 5124 or 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) and he will be able to help you with the renewal process.
If you have staff or people moving out of one of your sites please ensure they have finalised their electricity account and that you have arranged for the power to stay on while the dwelling is vacant. As a guide, vacant disconnection normally occurs within 10 working days for most retailers. By ensuring you have organised final accounts and retained your electricity connection, you will have prevented the hassle and cost of having or organise a reconnection. For more information contact ATS Energy on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Have you booked your recovery bags for collection? Agrecovery is discontinuing the silage plastic recycling service. Farmers have until 30 June 2014 to book remaining recovery bags for collection in the usual way, either via www.agrecovery.co.nz or 0800 247 326. Plasback continues to offer a recycling service with the bags available from ATS stores. For more information contact ATS on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Are you moving? Don’t wait until you take occupancy of a new farm. Arrange your new electricity accounts ahead of time to ensure there’s a smooth transition from one property to another when you are moving. This will ensure accounts are set up ready to go, old accounts have arranged final reads, and power supply is not interrupted. Call Tracey at ATS Energy to manage this transition for you on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Charges of your account for late payment Please remember that under the rules of the Ashburton Trading Society, account payments are due strictly on the 20th of the month. A forfeit of rebate charge of 7.5% of the month’s balance will be incurred for late payment. This applies to both Shareholder/Parent accounts and sub-account holders. One of the benefits of being an ATS member is the discount you receive from Suppliers for goods and services. The continued success of this scheme relies on members paying their account by the 20th of every month, so ATS can forward those funds to suppliers on the due date according to its payment terms. If you have any queries regarding your account, please contact the ATS Finance team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) before the 15th of the month.
Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton
Put ATS on your Speed Dial Make it easier to contact ATS by putting ATS on your speed dial. Speed dial lets you place a call by pressing a reduced number of keys and is particularly useful for phone users who dial certain numbers on a regular basis. Why not put ATS on you speed dial today so you can get in touch with your trusted co-op at the press of a button! For any questions or instructions regarding speed dial, check online under your phone’s specific brand, for example iPhone 5s or Samsung Galaxy S5.
Ruralco Supplier updates Check out www.ruralco.co.nz for the list of new Ruralco Suppliers
New Suppliers
Invercargill
Please visit www.ruralco.co.nz for information on locations and contact details.
Des Gill Fencing 7% off labour only
Balclutha Unichem Grays Pharmacy 8% off, excluding prescriptions and films 100% Johnstone Electrical 10% off all recommended retail prices and electrical supplies, excluding computers
The 20th annual ATS Instore Days are coming up! 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 retail and Ruralco suppliers. It is also a great place to catch up with other members and farmers and their families from throughout the central South Island. Make sure you remember to bring your Ruralco Card along. Keep an eye out for the dates which are coming soon!
Change to ATS Freight Service Last year we made some changes to the freight free service where if your order was under $3,000 there was a charge for delivery. We have taken on board the feedback from members and are pleased to advise that if you order more than $1,000 of product within the same order it can be delivered free on farm. This change commences on 1 June 2014 for the coming season. For orders less than $1,000 dollars we are happy to continue arranging delivery on farm of your products but it will be on a user pays basis with our partner TNL. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter further please contact ATS on 0800 BUY ATS (298 287).
Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz
Jesco Hydraulic and Pneumatic Engineers 15% off general hydraulic, pneumatic and service 12% discount on oil products Southern Workwear 7% across the board Sale items and school uniforms—nett
Blenheim
Kaikoura
Avantiplus Blenheim 10% off excluding sale and promotional items
Kaikoura Hunting & Fishing 7.5% off firearms and ammunition 10% off all other goods Sale and promotional items—nett
Paper Plus Blenheim 7.5% off, excluding sale and promotional items Poolside Restaurant 15% off total bill
The ATS Instore Days are coming
Fisher Aluminium 5% off quoted jobs
Unichem Mortimers & Frasers Pharmacy 10% off excluding sale and promotional items, and prescriptions 100% Herkt Appliances 10% off, excluding sale, promotional and catalogue items
Bluff Jesco Hydraulic and Pneumatic Engineers 15% off general hydraulic, pneumatic and service 12% discount on oil products
Dunedin Jesco Hydraulic and Pneumatic Engineers 15% off general hydraulic, pneumatic and service 12% discount on oil products
Robbie’s Bar & Bistro 10% off total bill
Motueka Bay Pharmacy 10% off, excluding sale and promotional items, and prescriptions
Takaka Take Note Takaka 7.5% off, excluding sale and promotional items
Te Anau Fiordland Community Pharmacy 5% off all health and beauty products (excludes prescriptions and sale items) The Ranch 10% off food and drinks
Winton Winton Auto & Marine Upholstery 7% across the board
Golden Bay Ratanui Lodge 10% off lowest set rate
Winton Novus 10% off labour only
Gore Southern Workwear 7% across the board Sale items and school uniforms—nett 100% Selectrix Gore 10% off retail price, excluding sale items
www.ats.co.nz