THERE has been consolidation of machinery dealers in recent times but Wickham Flower & Co Pty Ltd has bucked the trend and grown from strength to strength.
It now services the South East and into western Vic with branches in Bordertown, Naracoorte and Keith, and is a significant employer in the area with 85 staff.
Earlier this year it reached another milestone, with its Bordertown agriculture division moving into a 3000-square metre purpose-built dealership at the industrial estate on Meatworks Road, Bordertown.
An official opening in February was attended by more than 400 people including John Deere Australia manager Peter Wanckel and many long-time customers.
Wickham is hoping its new premises will serve it well into the future, continuing its reputation for first-class personal service.
From modest beginnings in 1931 as a small general agency business at Bordertown, it has grown into a leading John Deere dealership.
It has been regularly recognised by the John Deere Managers Club in the top four Australian and New Zealand dealerships.
It is also a stockist of many other high-quality brands including Kuhn spreaders, JCB telehandlers and front-end loaders tractors, Goldacres sprayers, Gason seeding and tillage equipment, and K-Line tillage and hay rakes.
Wickham Flower is also one of Australia's longest-serving Nissan vehicle dealers, attaining the Datsun/Nissan franchise in 1965.
Dealer principal Vaughn Colwill, who has managed the new building project from bare land to completion in the past 12 months, is pleased with the result.
"There is good confidence in the region with consistent seasons, and a diversity of broadacre and irrigated properties which really gave us the desire to invest in the future," he said.
"With business growth and expansion in the Bordertown area, including Kaniva and Frances, we needed more space.
"We now have many more staff to be able to offer the services our customers require, which includes not only machinery repairs but spare parts and precision ag support."
Apart from selling high-quality brands and good customer service, another key to the company's long-term success is its business ownership structure.
This involves retiring directors selling their shares to other employees, providing incentive for younger talent to stick with the company.
There is at least one owner-shareholder at each of the five branches - three ag machinery dealers and two vehicle dealerships.
Wickham Flower has also been quick to adopt new technology and in recent times has become a leading supplier of precision agriculture equipment.
Its GPS RTK base station network across the area has outstanding 2cm-accuracy coverage across most of the area.
* Full report in Stock Journal, April 3, 2014 issue.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
