New Chairman for ATS Group

11 January 2017

Methven dairy farmer, Alister Body had been appointed the new Chairman of the Ashburton Trading Society.

The former Chairman of the Ruralco Joint Venture Board was appointed at Decembers Board Meeting and has been a Director of the co-operative since 2011.  He replaces longstanding Director and Chair, Phil McKendry, who retired from the Board in November last year.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead in what I believe are exciting times for ATS and Ruralco.  Our long term strategy, which has been embedded over the last couple of years, has ensured a clear path for future growth and we are poised to be a significant regional co-operative with national reach,” he said.

“We are seeing operational excellence and efficiencies in our store based offering, along with our seed, energy, fuel and fertiliser divisions.  This is complemented by the extended reach and growth of the Ruralco Card.”

Development of the Ruralco brand will become more apparent early next year with the highly visible repositioning of the brand as it becomes the outward facing and nationally recognisable brand of the co-operative.  “It will be introduced from February this year with buildings, vehicles and staff uniforms all set to be updated.”

The Board also appointed a new Deputy Chair with Jessie Chan-Dorman taking up the role.  The Dorie dairy farmer has been an ATS Director since 2013.

“All of the ingredients are in place for a positive future and I look forward to working with the management and staff of this great co-operative to ensure we continue working towards a sustainable future for you, your business and rural New Zealand.” 

Alister Body
Chairman
027 492 3997
Alister.Body@ats.co.nz