Landmark has strengthened its fertiliser, merchandise and seed services in the South East, acquiring two independent agribusinesses – Jolpac Rural Supplies and Naracoorte Agri Services.
The deals were completed in the past couple of months, with the new entities trading as Landmark Jolpac in Bordertown and Landmark NAS in Naracoorte.
Landmark general manager for SA Craig Tapfield says the two well-established, successful busineses were a “good fit” for the company.
“We are continuing on what the Jolpac and NAS team have been doing,” he said.
“We are not here to change anything, just add to it and provide extra services to the local community.”
At Bordertown, Landmark Jolpac will run out of the current Jolpac site which Landmark have acquired, while the company’s Dalgety Wool depot will run from the existing Landmark site.
Fertiliser and seed sales will continue out of the NAS site in Naracoorte, with Landmark Naracoorte’s branch remaining the merchandise hub.
NAS also owned a site at Murray Bridge which is now being used by Landmark Murray Bridge.
All staff were offered full-time employment during the change of ownership.
Jolpac director Peter Jolly has become the new Landmark Jolpac branch manager.
NAS general manager Neil Nolan has taken on the role of fertiliser manager and agronomist at Naracoorte.
Mr Jolly says they are excited about becoming part of a strong national network, which can bring innovation and extra capital to their 36-year-old business.
“We were a profitable little business with a loyal client base but as a small business owner we could see ourselves being left behind (with technology),” he said.
“Everyone is talking about precision ag but in five years time it is just going to be ag because it will be adopted.”
Landmark Jolpac already has a new delivery truck and can offer seed cleaning through Landmark’s Seed Shield business.
Since the acquisition, it has employed sales agronomist Hamish Verco to work with senior sales agronomist and Jolpac co-director Jamie Weatherald.
Another local, Darcy King, Mundulla, who is studying an agriculture degree at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, has joined the team as a trainee agronomist.
“We have a history of supporting young ones through their agronomy degrees and Landmark has continued this,” Mr Weatherald said.