Features of livestock logistics using Stephenson Transport as an example

Stephenson Transport Ltd has been operating since 1936. Founded by Sep Stephenson, the business started with a single truck for hauling timber, while today the business has passed to Bruce Stephenson, along with his grandchildren Todd Stephenson and Kim MacRae.

During its peak period, the company's fleet numbers 50 truck and trailer units, and the staff ranges from 70 to 80 employees. The enterprise performs a wide range of agricultural tasks: from surface application of fertilizer and the transport of bulk fertilizer, wool, and apples to livestock transport, which dominates the total volume of work. Drivers service most of the North Island and travel more than 2.58 million kilometers per year. The busiest season lasts from October to March and includes the apple harvesting period.

Over the course of a year, the company transports over a million lambs, 600 thousand sheep, and about 160 thousand head of cattle. Transporting livestock requires drivers to have high maneuvering skills on narrow farm roads and serious physical effort when working at loading yards. At the same time, the yard infrastructure has remained practically unchanged over the past half-century and was originally designed only for single trucks, rather than modern truck-and-trailer combinations.

Among the business challenges, Todd Stephenson notes rising costs, in particular the high cost of fuel this year. Nevertheless, the company maintains its fleet in an up-to-date and modern condition. The family expects to eventually pass the business on to the next generation: Class 5 driver's licenses are already held by three of Todd Stephenson's children, and Kim MacRae's sons are increasingly getting involved in the company's work.