Perth business, Growers Agrishop has joined leading independent rural group AgLink Australia.
AgLink Australia CEO Ian Scutt said, “Growers Agrishop is a well-established and highly respected business. It’s well known in the Western Australian market as a leading provider of horticulture agronomic services.
“Focused on a ‘value adding’ product-based model, Growers Agrishop has developed strong relationships with both its customers and suppliers since it was established.”
Mr Scutt said AgLink Australia’s members had welcomed the Growers Agrishop business earlier this year as an “excellent fit”.
“AgLink Australia has a strategic priority to grow membership by way of new members who have a ‘fit’ in values and business approach.
“Growers Agrishop’s philosophy and overarching values – along with geographic location, agronomic expertise, stewardship, support of R&D companies, preparedness to contribute and commitment to true independence, are some of the fundamental elements that both Growers Agrishop and AgLink align well on.”
Solid foundations
Growers Agrishop was founded in February 2009 with roots from Growers Rural, a long-standing and respected horticulture business in Perth.
Directors Julian and Debra Baker said Growers Agrishop was established to combine the experience and knowledge from Growers Rural, with the energy and new direction of key staff, including general manager David Buckley, together with Scott Mason and, later, Elvis Nguyen.
Growers Agrishop has continued to grow since, with Mr Buckley saying their customer base now covers all key horticulture regions of Western Australia, from Bunbury in the south to the Kimberley in the north.
“While we have expanded over time with new customers, a significant amount of our expansion has come from the organic growth of current customers. Our focus is mainly on intensive vegetable production, and we hold a highly significant market share of this horticultural market.”
Mr Buckley said Growers Agrishop is a technically focused business, with an emphasis on bringing technology to their customers.
“We also pride ourselves on long-term relationships that are underpinned by consistent supply, and quality products, staff and service.”
Mr Scutt said the business operates over two locations, has a total of 13 staff, including three agronomists offering technical services based on data and standards generated from more than 40 years of WA coastal plain sands experience.
“The length of service by key staff is testimony to the business’s strength. David Buckley is a second-generation agriculturalist, with 20 years’ experience across both resellers and suppliers, while technical sales manager Scott Mason has 21-plus years’ horticulture experience on the WA coastal plain and is undoubtedly one of the most experienced and knowledgeable horticulture agronomists in the state.”
Mr Buckley said Growers Agrishop has been independent from any buying or member group since 2011, believing no group option available at the time represented additional value for their business. Until now.
“While we understand that Growers Agrishop strengthens AgLink Australia’s horticulture market position in both WA and nationally, we see that being part of this truly independent group will, in turn, strengthen our business. Our values align very well with AgLink’s and we’re looking forward to being part of this group with its strong focus on innovation, R&D and true partnership approach with suppliers.”
