AnQuip NZ Ltd was born in August 2004, not long after Lori and I returned from Texas, where we’d been living, working, and possibly perfecting our barbecue skills. Back on Kiwi soil, we started hunting for a business idea that could keep us busy and out of trouble.

In early 2004, I found myself at the Pan Pacific Pork Expo, spending an inordinate amount of time hanging around the Rotecna stand like a kid in a candy store. Their products were top-notch, so I decided to bring a catalog home—like a souvenir, but much heavier.

After a few months of tinkering with my sales pitch (and likely annoying Lori with endless rehearsals), I finally sat her down and made my big pitch: “Let’s start a pig equipment supply business!” Luckily, I must’ve hit the right note because Lori was on board faster than a rat out of an aqueduct. Armed with that well-thumbed Rotecna catalog and a mountain of enthusiasm, I hit the market to see what would happen. Three weeks later, we had enough orders to fill a container… but absolutely no clue how to order, ship, or even spell “de-van.”

Fast forward to 2008, and we got cozy with MS Schippers, Europe’s biggest livestock equipment supplier. A trip to the Eurotier Animal Husbandry Show and a peek inside their warehouse convinced us we’d hitched our wagon to the right horse (or in this case, pig). Our product range exploded, spilling over into other livestock sectors like a well-fed farm dog.

Then in 2010, we decided to drag our daughter Sam into the mix. She’s popped in and out over the years, but she’s always around like a bad smell—one that somehow makes everything better. Sam has a knack for spotting problems and fixing them before I even know they exist, which has helped the business become more efficient and a lot less stressful for me. Her contributions and unique energy are a big part of what makes AnQuip tick.

We’re head over heels for the New Zealand farming industry and couldn’t be more thankful for the support we’ve received during our early years. AnQuip is always looking to expand its product range and services, and our goal remains the same: to provide top-quality equipment at a fair price with service that makes our customers squeal with delight.