Fresh focus for Diesel Tech Fernside

Alastair Malcolm stepped into the role of branch manager at Diesel Tech Fernside earlier this year, bringing nearly a decade of machinery industry experience and a strong focus on supporting North Canterbury farmers with reliable service and specialised equipment.

A new chapter is underway at Diesel Tech’s Fernside branch, with Alastair Malcolm stepping into the role of branch manager earlier this year.

Malcolm officially took up the position on January 5, bringing with him nearly a decade of experience in machinery and equipment sales, including eight years with Clark Equipment working with the Bobcat product range.

While much of that time was spent in the construction and material handling sector, Malcolm says it was his growing involvement with agricultural customers that ultimately drew him toward the rural industry.

“In the last couple of years, I started working more closely with agricultural businesses and I really enjoyed it,” he said.

“I liked the pace of the industry and the people involved in it. It just suited me.”

Through that work Malcolm began interacting with Diesel Tech and its founder, Chris Barnes, who started the company in Methven after working as an agricultural mechanic.

Barnes built the business initially around servicing and repairs before expanding into machinery and equipment sales.

“He grew the business from servicing and repairs, built a team of mechanics and then started looking at how he could offer farmers something a bit different.”

Today Diesel Tech is supplying European equipment brands such as Elho, Mascar, Mandam and others that specialise in specific jobs such as mowing, baling and cultivation.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Malcolm says the company focuses on matching equipment to the needs of individual farms.

“A lot of the products we bring in are from smaller European manufacturers who are willing to work with us and make adjustments for New Zealand conditions,” he said.

“It means the equipment can be more specific to how farmers here actually work.”

 Alongside equipment sales, the Fernside branch provides a full servicing and repair operation, including mobile technicians working across North Canterbury.

The team currently includes four mobile technicians and an apprentice, with fully equipped service vehicles carrying tools and common parts for on-farm breakdowns.

“We’re out on farm every day,” Malcolm said.

“Our technicians have fully set up utes so they can respond to breakdowns quickly and keep farmers moving.”

The workshop also handles hydraulic hoses, generators and air-conditioning repairs, giving farmers access to a wide range of services through a single provider.

Malcolm says the goal is to combine the professionalism of a large dealership with the responsiveness and relationships of a local business.

“Chris has always wanted Diesel Tech to sit in the middle,” he said.

“You’ve got the big dealerships with global brands and very professional systems, and then you’ve got smaller local workshops with great relationships but not always the same reach.

“Our goal is to offer both : dealer-level professionalism with local support.”

That approach is backed by a team Malcolm describes as experienced and highly skilled, with several technicians bringing years of industry experience, including backgrounds running their own businesses or working within large corporate machinery companies.

“Fresh faces are coming into the business, but they’re people who know the industry and know how to look after customers,” he said.

For Malcolm, strong communication and trust remain at the heart of working with farmers.

“Farmers value relationships,” he said.

“They’re loyal to businesses they trust. The most important thing we can do is communicate clearly, do quality work and charge fairly.

“When someone brings a machine to you, they need to know the job will be done properly and that they’re paying a fair price for it.”

Looking ahead, Malcolm says the focus is on continuing to strengthen the team and building the branch’s reputation across the region.

 “Our goal is to be known as a trusted and professional service provider for the local farming community,” he said.

“If farmers finish dealing with us feeling like they’ve been looked after properly, then we’ve done our job.”