A new chapter was recently written in the story of the Waikato farm machinery business Maber Motors, founded by Laurie Maber back in 1946.
Now it’s rebranded and operating as Power Farming Morrinsville, a joint venture of Power Farming Wholesale and a well-known local, Richard Clarke, of the rugby dynasty.
Earlier this year, the company recently welcomed 500 guests to the opening of new premises, an event dubbed “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
Over 12 months the business demolished its existing building and substituted a high-stud building with 2500sqm of floor space. The entrance area has a large showroom, parts and office space amounting to 1000sq m. The heart of the building is a 1300sq m workshop with 18 service bays and a five-tonne gantry crane.
The project cost $4 million, all built and fitted out by local tradespeople.
Power Farming managing director Geoff Maber said the company had come a long way “since Laurie Maber started all those years ago in a small wooden shed, selling his first tractor – a grey Fergie for £475.”
The company expanded into Australia 15 years ago and the US in 2017.
Today Power Farming has annual turnover of over $400 million and employs 400 people.
A highlight for the family was the erection of Mabel the mega cow in 2017, a 6.5-metre tall resin and fibreglass statue in Morrinsville. Laurie and his wife Yvonne's ashes are buried under the plaque of the mega cow, and Mabel's been joined by dozens of other fibreglass cows dotted around the town.
2018: $200 million