Skip to main content

Company Profile

50 Years of Innovation

Established in 1970, the Aitchison brand has been around for more than 50 years. It is synonymous with innovation in environmentally sustainable zero tillage seeding and soil management equipment.

Best known for the Grassfarmer® and Seedmatic® no-tillage seed drills, they feature the unique Aitchison sponge seeding system that is now effectively used to sow everything from cereals to lucerne and brassicas. The gentle and accurate sponge distribution system has become the go-to for farmers applying regenerative seed mixes to their pastures.

Aitchison is 100% New Zealand Family Owned by Farmgear Ltd.

Farmgear Ltd is a Family business based in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The business was established in 1969 when Steve Barnes launched the ‘UFO Single’ Mower. Steve’s 3 sons (Nick, Nathan & Grant) are still well involved in the running of the business, and the 3rd Generation has been involved in the business for over 7 years.

The attitude of innovation and customer care which founded the business are still well-engrained, with the company’s No.1 value being to “Put our customers front and center”


    What do we stand for?

    Putting our Customers Front & Centre
    Making & Selling World Class Products that we’re proud of.
    Backing our Products & Promise Every Time.

    What does this mean for you?

    Buying a Farmgear product means you will be getting reliable machinery with full support, and gear that you can trust and be proud to use.

    The People Behind The Product.

    Nathan Barnes

    General Manager

    Nick Barnes

    Operations Manager

    Grant Barnes

    Sales Manager

    Archie Barnes

    Production Manager

    Ben McLean

    R&D Manager

    Jack Barnes

    Sales

    Matt McKillop

    Aitchison Product Specialist

    Dallas Barnes

    Marketing

    Ross Fairless

    Spare Parts Sales

    Chilli Lowther

    Spare Parts Sales

    Rachel McKay

    Administration

    Bronson Young

    Production Facilitator

    Mike Wanhalla

    Assembly Team Leader

    Ivan Walker

    Welding Team Leader

    Shane Wahi

    Purchasing & Inwards Goods

    Kiraul Atkinson

    Painting & QC

    Ambrose White

    Welding Team

    Andrew Solly

    Fabrication Team Leader

    Dan Wu

    Fabrication Team

    Ian MacArthur

    Welding Team

    Ivan Ye

    Welding Team

    Patrick Comerford

    Welding Team

    Connor McNab

    Machinist