Local Supplier Celebrates 10 Years in Animal Health 

Starting an independent, locally owned supply business 10 years ago has paid off for Animal Health Direct founder and managing director Richard Kettle. Based in Hastings, Kettle set up the company back in 2001 and has since not only survived but grown both here and overseas.

 

“I started AHD because I felt that with New Zealand sheep numbers in rapid decline at the time, and some farming sectors not looking very viable, the big players may review their positions in the NZ market,” he says “This linked with an obvious trend towards multi-nationals merging or acquiring others created an opportunity for locally owned animal health companies here.” These factors, combined with a ‘real passion’ for the industry, and several years of experience, gave him the confidence to go out on his own.

 

A decade later, AHD’s strongest markets are dairying, followed by equine and a fast-growing presence in supplying stock washing at meat processing plants. Support from the distribution trade – both OTC and veterinary – has played a huge role in the company’s performance, Kettle says, and he’s keen for this to be acknowledged. On the supply side, AHD has developed a strong, loyal relationship with AgVantage in Australia, which supplies the company with its metabolic pillow range and oral metabolic formulations. “This along with our own manufactured dairy animal health products in NZ will see AHD continue to grow its share of this increasingly important market,” Kettle says.

 

The company has also experienced ‘amazing’ growth in both NZ and offshore equine markets over the past 12 months, and intends to further develop this area of business. What about the future? “Survival has always been a priority and I have maintained that if you can do this, and continue to grow the business with hard work and integrity, then opportunities will come your way,” Kettle says.

 

“It’s important to have the company in a position of strength so you can take the opportunities presented into viable additions to the business.”