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Words by Niamh McCarthy

Aakland Chemicals have been working with Ruralco for just three years but in this short time they have certainly made a massive impact with Cardholders. Their sales growth and exceptional customer service were just two of the many reasons for the company being selected as this year’s Ruralco Supreme Supplier of the Year award. “All of their customers say their service is second to none, they focus on delivering the right product at the right price and making sure their clients are happy” confirms Ruralco National Sales Manager Lester Chambers. Aakland Chemicals is a 100% NZ owned and operated business and its primary target is dairy farmers. The business manufactures and supplies detergent sanitisers, teat sprays, molasses, mineral supplements and feed solutions.

All of their products are manufactured on-site in Christchurch and are MPI approved and certified. They have an extensive sales agent network throughout the South Island and are busy extending their presence in the North Island. “One of the advantages of the Ruralco network is being able to extend our sales reach to new potential sales territories and Ruralco have been great to work towards that goal” confirms Stephen Glassey, Managing Director at Aakland Chemicals. Aakland also offer great value for money as they are one of the only retailers of chemicals selling from the factory direct to the farm gate which means significant savings for the customer. Ruralco cardholders also receive additional discounts ranging from bulk discount savings as well as percentage discounts up to 12% on certain products.

Convenience for busy farm operations is also a key point of difference at Aakland Chemicals. They offer a free delivery service on products and offer a recycling service for all their containers which the company believe in the current climate it’s important to be as environmentally correct as possible. Stephen and the team at Aakland Chemicals were honoured to receive the award and intend to keep up their commitment to looking after customers “we’re a family business and we like to think our values reach throughout the business and how we treat our clients. I also think our customers enjoy supporting Ruralco and accessing the many great products and services on offer, it definitely has mutual benefit” Cardholders can phone 0800 100 350 if they are interested in any Aakland Chemical products.

“Back to back, just like the Crusaders!” is how Alan and Ian Neumann proudly describe Neumanns Tyres winning the Ruralco Members’ Choice Award for the second year running. Technically it’s actually a triple win as the long-established family business won the Supreme Award in 2016, and if you take into account their 2011 People’s Choice win it’s obvious that Neumanns Tyres are continuously raising the stakes on customer service and exceeding cardholder expectations. Having been in business almost 75 years, Alan and Ian are immensely proud of their trusted local reputation and strive to pass it on to their staff, “we’ve got a great team here, they are good at their jobs, they know what’s expected of them and they have a great rapport with the Mid Canterbury community.”

Neumanns Tyres are committed to providing the best service possible and Alan and Ian give full credit to their staff for receiving the award. Alan acknowledges it’s the little things that go a long way for customers, “getting out of your chair and saying hello, giving our customers a coffee and helping people carry tyres from their cars are all small ways we like to keep our clients happy.” Looking after their employees is also something Alan and Ian believe is key to a winning formula, and they are obviously doing something right as there a few long-standing staff members who’ve started as school boys and decades later never left! They also take any customer feedback on board and do their very best to keep their customers satisfied.

The Neumann brothers confirm however that despite their multi award winning success they are always keen to improve, “we don’t want to rest on our laurels, we can do better.” These days in a changing tyre market Alan is keen to emphasise customers have a much better range of options depending on their aim whether it’s fuel economy or mileage and now even offer 4WD tyres that can do 100,000 kms before replacement. “Anyone can sell a tyre, but it’s a matter of putting the right tyre on the right rim at the right price that will do the right job.” Alan, Ian and the entire Neumann’s team would like to sincerely thank all the Ruralco cardholders for their continuing support and loyalty and contributing to their business success.