Paul Charman: Taupo's one stop water supply shop

Staff employed by John Frew Farm Water Specialists are trained to perform a variety of tasks. Photo / Supplied

By Paul Charman

A profitable Taupo business specialising in rural ground services and a wide range of water supply systems, is now on the market.

John Frew Farm Water Specialists, advertising itself as a 'one stop water shop,' turns over a healthy $2m annually, an achievement ABC Business Sales broker Heinz Fett puts down to, "versatility, efficiency and an excellent name built up over many years".

"The business operates mainly across the Central North Island and is qualified to work with both geothermal and regular water infrastructure. It is versatile - installing deep well and submersible pump lifts; supply pumps, pipes and fittings for both domestic and commercial operations and installing irrigation systems large or small," says Fett.

Seven trained staff members operate from a large purpose-built headquarters in Taupo which belongs to the owners of the company who are prepared to negotiate a new lease with the purchaser of the going concern business.

Fett says the company holds the dealerships for Grundfos, Lowara, Onga and Dab pump manufacturers.

In addition to providing pumps, the business maintains and services these products. It also installs large quantities of water reticulation pipe lines and associated fittings for big rural farm systems, residential irrigation systems, subdivisions and geothermal pipelines.
Using modern and reliable plant and machinery, the business is able to cater to large-scale developments as well as for residential operations in and around Taupo.

Sophisticated operational systems include a recently-added GPS Trac Map system and Polaris ranger - a technology employed for a variety of tasks, including the design, location and positioning water troughs and waterlines.

"However, the full potential for increased efficiencies derived from developing the technology has not yet been realised," Fett says.

He says the business has been owned and operated by John and Joanna Frew since September 2000. "From this point forward, it has seen continuous growth and is now well known and recognised in the market.

"John and Joanna's decision to move on - in order to pursue new challenges - has created a business opportunity here. The level of profitability enables a new owner to run the business or appoint a manager to do so," says Fett.

The business occupies a large industrial site at 126 Rakaunui Rd in the eastern outskirts of Taupo, within minutes of town. This encompasses a purpose-built workshop, offices and facilities with plenty of yard space for parking, that has an excellent layout and up-to-date presentation.

Fett says an ability to serve such a wide range of clients, spanning farm operations, industrial operations and life-stylers - has enabled the business to prosper year-on-year.

"This is an opportunity to enter a sector providing indispensable services to the agricultural economy. Though there's room for considerable further growth, it is arguable that most of the hard work establishing this business has already been done."