In an exciting development one of the largest livestock agency businesses nationally, Ray White Rural & Livestock, is moving into Western Australia.
Dave Biss and Andrew Hodgson, two very successful and well-known operators, will head up the business in WA under the Ray White Livestock banner and will be based out of the brand’s existing Albany office.
Ray White Livestock Albany aims to offer a comprehensive alternative to traditional livestock agents.
“Our plan is to grow right across Western Australia, from one end to the other. We will offer WA livestock producers a one-stop-shop for all their agribusiness needs by focussing on livestock sales and marketing while also connecting the dots with finance, insurance, wool, inputs and merchandise,” the pair said.
A crisis can often be a positive catalyst for change, and Dave and Andrew see many opportunities in doing business differently from the traditional model in the current climate.
“We don’t need big offices, highly paid management teams or shop fronts, that just costs the producer in the end. We are a small yet very agile team who aren’t tied to cumbersome processes or head office KPI’s. Our focus is on solving problems with effective solutions for our clients which will improve their profitability rather than shareholders.”
The pair’s experience in the livestock industry adds up to more than six decades and they both believe that “a handshake still carries weight”.
Ray White Rural Managing Director Stephen Nell said he was delighted to welcome Dave and Andrew into the family-owned and led network. “Growth is in our DNA at Ray White and I am excited to see the livestock flag being planted in WA. I know they’ll do great things and we look forward to supporting them in their ambitions.”
Andrew is moving back home to WA with his two sons from NSW after a long stint in Argentina, working in the South American beef and sheep industry.
“I have worked in WA and overseas both as a producer and service provider and I understand agricultural business on both sides of the fence - at the end of the day, I know what clients want. We are two blokes who can offer a very real human face to a smart back-office team using the latest technology.” “We aim to build an experienced team of livestock agents that can offer insurance, finances, wool and competitive merchandise sales”.
Dave, his wife Naomi and their family have made WA home and plan to live locally in Albany. “Andrew and I both have traditional values of honesty, integrity and hard-work. We are both based in WA and the money stays local.”
“Our focus is on our client’s profitability and giving them options. We will ask clients to consider us and give us the opportunity to work together when making their marketing and purchasing choices as we don’t believe that just because a producer has always dealt with one stock firm that will continue forever. Dave has over 25 years in agriculture both in WA as well as overseas, working on farms and trading cattle, sheep and deer.
“My strengths are livestock and people as I come from a large farming family background. I love getting into the yards or out in the paddocks and I’m 100 per cent driven to providing competitive solutions for our customers.
“We’re primarily a livestock orientated business with the ability to create options for people around their livestock marketing or sourcing needs.
“The biggest difference with us is we are hands-on, and we pride ourselves on our interpersonal relationships.”
Ray White Livestock Albany’s core business
● Livestock - assistance with all livestock marketing and sourcing needs
● Financial services - working with one of Australia’s largest rural financiers, we can help you access custom financial solutions tailored to meet your business goals
● Insurance - our brokerage partner will assist you to protect your business and family
● Merchandise - a wide and competitive range of all agricultural inputs
● Wool – A fully inclusive wool broking and marketing organisation that offers the WA grower another healthy option in an ever changing marketplace .
● Real estate - clearing sales and Ray White’s national footprint
● Agri services - we are interested in your profitability, not just selling you something
Ray White Livestock Albany officially opens on April 13, 2020.
