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The best part about running Ngatea Milking Machines & Pump Services Ltd was “meeting people and supporting people”, according to owner and operator Wayne Barker.
“We get a huge variety of people from our reps right through to our customers.
“You get to know a lot of people,” he told The Profile.
Local legends Wayne and Rachel Barker have been at the helm of the business since 2002, and currently lead a team of 10, focussed on supporting farmers 24/7 with back-up service and support, milking solutions, and a variety of products and brands from farming supplies right through to rural and domestic pumping and plumbing supplies.
Ngatea Milking covers from Waiuku, South Auckland and up the Peninsula to Whitianga, across the entire Hauraki Plains and out to Tahuna, Wayne said.
Not only has Ngatea Milking operated for more than 40 years – it is also a significant part of Wayne’s family history.
Ngatea Milking Machines & Pump Services Ltd was started in 1984 by Wayne’s parents, Peter and Ethne Barker.
Wayne said there was no one serving the Plains, it was a “gap in the market”.
One of the big milestones for the family-business was “before my time”, Wayne said, when they shifted from the small building to a purpose built space at 31 Orchard West Rd, Ngatea.
“We also have a yard down the road… so we’ve sort of grown over the years.”
The family-owned business liked to support the community and helped raise money for other groups by running golf days for schools or clubs, he said.
It was hard for Wayne to “pin just one” major milestone for Ngatea Milking.
“We’ve done a 360 and gone from small milking machines to robotics to robotic milking.”
Wayne said it used to be just two people working alongside his father, Peter – “now we’ve got six vehicles on the road”.
Some technology changes that have made the biggest difference in operations for Ngatea Milking were cow identification and milk monitoring in the larger dairy units, Wayne said.
However, one goal that’s remained the same for Ngatea Milking as an independent supplier was supplying products at a reasonable price for customers and continuing to be supportive within the farming community, he said.
With no signs of pulling back the reins and the growing demand for Ngatea Milking within the community, the business owner said “we’re doing something right out here”.
“At the moment we’re still expanding,” Wayne said.
“We’ve just gone from strength to strength, so obviously we must be doing something right.”
– By Davidda Hikatangata
