The gold standard

The rugged beauty of the Southern Alps is a stunning monument of deep time and tectonic forces. Against such a backdrop, 50 years might seem like a drop in the ocean - but for Philip Wareing Limited, it demonstrates a significant milestone in the founder’s journey from running a single spray truck to becoming one of the largest transport operators in the South Island.

Spraying through the seasons – the gold-wrapped Atego marks 50 years of hard graft, innovation and loyalty at Philip Wareing Limited.

The Canterbury Plains roll out from Methven like a welcome mat to the foothills of the Mainland’s iconic mountain range. The closer you get to these snow-capped peaks, where the giant patchwork of pasture gives way to sub-alpine terrain, the more you realise it’s not all picture postcard good looks; it’s a battleground of nature’s most extreme elements.

The people who work here are as tough and grounded as the land they’ve learned to tame. Few know that better than Philip Wareing, who employs more than 300 staff and runs more than 250 trucks across the region.

It all started in 1975 with a single a J1 Bedford sprayer truck - and a large dose of Mainlander grit. From humble beginnings, Philip has built one of the South Island’s largest privately owned agricultural transport groups with multiple services and several brands in its stable.

Philip Wareing Limited offers spraying and fertiliser spreading, blower trucks, bulk cartage, stock transport, container and freight delivery, logging and warehouse storage. It also owns NZ Express Transport, Transwest Freighters, Rural Transport Ltd, Wilson Bulk Transport, Fairfield Freight Hub and Mayfield Transport.

In typically understated fashion, Philip shares a story when asked about his success:
“I was at the Tekapo lamb sales not long ago. There were 12 trucks there, nine of them were ours. That’s when I thought, yeah, we’ve made it.”

Perhaps less understated is the new Mercedes-Benz Atego that Philip had wrapped in gold to celebrate the company’s 50-year anniversary, but this is no trophy truck it’s a workhorse that will do the hard yards like any other in the fleet.

“The wrap will come off in a year or so, but it’s a nice opportunity for us to mark the occasion,” says Philip.

It’s no coincidence he chose a Mercedes-Benz sprayer for this special treatment.

“Spraying is dear to my heart, always has been it’s what we started with. We do a lot of spraying near the Rakaia and Ashburton Gorges; I can tell you the Atego is the best truck we’ve ever had for that work.

“We’ve tried all the brands and the Mercs have never missed a beat, every time Mercedes-Benz brings out a new model, they improve things.

“In fact, we’ve never let on to our competitors how good Mercedes-Benz is for spraying and spreading because it’s like our secret weapon!

“A big part of it is the diff locks, which other brands don’t have. Its reliability, stability on the hills and suitability to do the job at hand is second to none.”

The company now runs Mercedes-Benz units in its spraying and spreading operation (Atego 1840, Zetros and 6x4 Arocs), plus Actros units running up to 54T stickers carting general freight the length and breadth of the South Island - and beyond.

“We’ve always had a 20T 6x4 to cart lime,” Philip explains.

“You’re putting down a tonne to the acre. You’ve got to have the right gear.”

From flat paddocks to frost-hardened hilltops, the spreading and spraying trucks have proven their mettle time and again, clocking around 40,000km a year.

For driver and company stalwart Paul Connell, who’s driven “everything”, the difference is night and day.

“You’d never want to go back to another brand once you’ve been spraying in an Atego,” says Paul. “Working in this country, comfort and traction matter. The Merc is the perfect spray truck.”

Paul says the diff locks mean there’s no concern with getting stuck and the Atego’s enhanced stability means he feels safer than ever while on the job.

“In other brands, some of the paddocks were almost scary, but in a Merc it’s easy and I’m not just saying that!”

While Mercedes-Benz name has been a part of Wareing’s history for 30 years, the company’s relationship with Keith Andrews is just beginning.

When Keith Andrews expanded into the South Island in 2024, Philip says he was “cautiously optimistic”.

“You get used to dealing with certain people,” he says.

“A change like that takes some getting used to. But, credit to them, Keith Andrews has come down got involved and followed through. They’ve done what they said they’d do.”

Simon Wareing, Philip’s son, leads much of the day-to-day operations and played a key role in finalising the company’s recent order with Keith Andrews.

“We purchased five new Mercedes-Benz trucks and a Fuso Fighter,” Simon says.

“Keith Andrews gave us a sharp deal and they’ve been really proactive. If they keep supporting us the way they have, we’ll keep buying.

“You need to be able to pick up the phone and talk to someone who knows your business. Keith Andrews gets that.”

Simon says the evolving technology in Daimler trucks has been a real benefit to the business. Improved automated transmissions has seen the fleet move away from manuals, which has been particularly beneficial for training younger drivers. He adds that Euro 6 emissions standards and advanced safety features have become a must-have.

“These newer trucks are much smarter,” says Simon.

“The PowerShift 3 transmission and engine work together to optimise fuel use and we see the benefit of that.

“They’ve got advanced braking, lane assist – all of that adds up. We’ve had accidents in the past, where those systems could have made a difference. Now we don’t take the risk.”

While the business evolves with improving technology, the heart of the operation remains in the hands of loyal and trusted staff. From the engineers building trailers in-house to the drivers and office teams, every person plays a role in keeping the wheels turning.

If the scale of Philip’s success is impressive, so is the loyalty he inspires. Staff retention is high; around 80%. Paul, his first full-time employee has been with the business for 48 years. A qualified fitter-welder by trade, he first worked on Philip’s trucks during winter downtimes. Since then, he’s done just about everything from fabrication in the workshop to long days in the driver’s seat.

The business looks after its people and has backed dozens of local sports teams, charities and community events over the years.

“In a place like this what you give you get back,” says Philip.

Maree Glanville, who has been managing the office for 40 years, sums it up in three simple words:

“We’re like family.”

With Philip’s sons Simon and Mark both directors in the business, that family ethos has solid foundations to see it through the next 50 years at least.