New owners for milking equipment company

 

Llaurellee and Steve Darrah understand farming from “all sides of the fence” which is among the reasons they’re the ideal new owners for Whakatane’s Bay Milking Equipment Ltd.

The couple, originally dairy farmers from the Hauraki District, have bought the business from Rick Finucane and Lynley Bedingham who founded it 26 years ago.

Describing themselves as “proud Kiwis with a strong rural background”, Steve and Llaurellee are delighted to be embarking on a new adventure with the well-respected Whakatane business.

The couple bought the business after returning from Australia where, after leasing out their family dairy farm, they had intended to stay for just 12 months. However, they enjoyed the change of lifestyle so much it was seven years before they came home. While there Steve worked as a seasonal tractor driver and most recently was a tractor salesman for a Case IH dealer.

The couple have two young grandchildren in Thames and spending more time with them was among the motivations to return. The Darrahs say they’ve also found the ideal business in Bay Milking Equipment 2016 Ltd.

“It is a great fit with our backgrounds, as we have been on all sides of the fence in terms of farming,” says Steve.

Previous owners Lynley and Rick are also delighted to be handing over the business they founded to its new owners, in the knowledge its customers are in good hands. While Llaurellee and Steve are new to the business all the staff are staying on, ensuring the same service, experience and an on-call 24 hours a day service to all new and existing customers.

Bay Milking Equipment2016 Ltd is the local agent for Waikato Milking Systems NZ, which is the only NZ-owned milking machine company. Based in Hamilton, it manufactures components and exports milking systems around the world.

Bay Milking Equipment 2016 Ltd offers new milking systems, extensions and alterations to all systems, electronic cup removers, effluent and irrigation systems, drench systems, and its experienced dairy and water technicians provide a 24-hour callout service.

The company also stocks a wide range of farm and orchard products including water tanks, water pumping systems, UV and domestic water filtering systems. In addition it is Whakatane’s only specialist pool, spa pool and pool accessories shop.

Steve and Llaurellee are enjoying meeting existing and new customers and welcome visitors to their Gateway West premises.


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