Farming smarter with technology
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
Farm machinery importer and retailer Norwood has announced the appointment of Aaron Smith as the new chief executive officer of CB Norwood Distributors Limited.
With a career spanning 34 years, Aaron started as an apprentice diesel mechanic and progressed through executive management roles in the capital equipment sector, most recently as chief executive officer of Keith Andrews Trucks, and previously as general manager at Gough TWL and Group Transpecs.
“We are excited to welcome Aaron as he brings extensive experience in supplier relationships, retail sales, and aftersales service. The combination of his experience, knowledge, and drive makes him an ideal fit for the next stages of growth for Norwood,” says Men Form-Zuellig, Norwood chairman.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Norwood and look forward to working with the entire team to build on the legacy they have built over the last 75 years,” says Aaron Smith, incoming chief executive officer.
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Farm machinery trader Norwood has appointed Aaron Smith as the new chief executive officer of CB Norwood Distributors Limited. |
Aaron will take over from Tim Fanning, who has filled the void since the departure of previous CEO Tim Myers, and who will take over the role of chief operating officer.
“We want to thank Tim for leading Norwood during the interim period,” says Men.
“This year has been tough, with challenging business and economic conditions. We look forward to working with Aaron and all the Norwood employees to continue serving the agricultural and construction sectors of New Zealand.”
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
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