There has been a change with one of Stawell's most well known businesses, with Rural Vision merging with one of a Victoria's largest farming input suppliers.
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Rural Vision, a CRT Group member, has merged with Hewitt and Whitty, the Ballarat based business, also a part of CRT, in a move to envision to help give their customers a better range of products at a better price.
Stawell branch manager Tim McEwen said the new entity, Hewitt and Whitty Rural Supplies Stawell, would be able to serve their customers' needs better.
"It just give us access to a larger range of products with a better buying position, which we can pass onto our customers," he said.
"We will be looking for more staff and we will have more product lines.
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"For example they have good access to the 'Grain Line' range of augers and a lot of other products as well."
He said the store would see an expansion of Castrol products as well as an increased supply of power equipment, potentially like mowers, ATV's and chainsaws.
Mr McEwen said the idea for a merger stemmed from conversations over a period of time, with some changes still being implemented, while others were on the shelf already.
"We have started trading under the Hewitt Whitty banner since July 1, but it is just going to be a gradual build up," he said.
"Whether it is an agronomist or a merchandise person, we are not sure just yet, and we are working through that process to decide what we really need.
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"Having been part of CRT, I have known the Hewitt and Whitty team for years and it has just come from a conversation which has gone further and further and got us to where we are now."
Mr McEwen joined the Stawell branch in November 2019 and has been part of CRT since 2007, while Hewitt and Whitty has been servicing farmers in the Ballarat and surrounding districts since it opened in 1938.
Greg Hewitt, grandson of co-founder Bill Hewitt, is still active in the business and continues to drive the business ethos of 'look after the customers and they will look after the business'.
"We are very excited and proud to be represented in the Stawell area and with staff such as Tim and Leesa looking after the business, we know it will be good for customers, which is the most important thing," Mr Hewitt.
Hewitt and Whitty are expanding throughout Victoria with sites in Ballarat, Geelong, Cobden, Melton, Avoca, Lismore and now Stawell.
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