Loyal clients of Murray Valley Rural Services in Yarrawonga would not have been surprised to hear their local CRT store had won a national award recently, but the owners were.
“We have been a finalist in the CRT Business of the Year for several years, and had previously won the state award in 2019, but when our name was called out as the national winner at the awards night on the Gold Coast, well, we were shaking we were that excited,” store owner Graeme McInness said.
Servicing farmers and rural landowners within a 70km radius of Yarrawonga, this locally owned store employs eight full-time staff.
“We opened this store in 2000 and then in 2013 we opened another store in Berrigan which gives us the opportunity to expand our client base,” Mr McInness said.
The winning store is owned and operated by Graeme and his wife Meegan McInness.
Mr McInness has an extensive background in farming and working in the rural supplies industry. He oversees the overall business operations, as well as managing the crop protection portfolio.
Other key staff include Kieran Kelly, who is responsible for the animal systems, fencing and insurance portfolios; and Sally Perry manages the fertiliser and finance and administration departments. They are also part owners in the business.
Combined Rural Traders, or CRT as it’s known, was purchased by Nutrien in 2019, however Mr Kelly believes their standalone business has been able to maintain its independence.
“We really uphold the essence of a true independent. In helping our client’s business to grow, in whatever direction they want to take it, we grow by delivering on that,” he said.
So how did the Murray Valley Rural Service team beat the other 290 CRT stores across Australia?
Mr Kelly thinks it all comes down to a high level of service.
“Yes, we do compete for sales and growth like most other stores, but I think our commitment to helping our clients reach their goals is what got us across the line.
“We listen, plan and offer a personalised solution tailored to suit individual needs.”
Mr McInness said the CRT management ranked the stores every year for the awards based on a rigorous assessment process.
This scorecard result then allows each business to benchmark against other stores and look at ways to compare and improve.
“Client feedback from winning the award has been really positive,” Mr McInness said.
“It’s really rewarding knowing our customers think highly of us. In many ways that’s a bigger thrill than winning the award itself.”