Two of the South Island’s leading agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to farmers.
Carrfields has acquired Agricentre South’s Kubota agriculture and construction retail dealerships in Invercargill, Gore, and Cromwell, along with the retail distribution of Krone products in Otago.
The move follows a strategic review of Agricentre’s brand portfolio and its long-standing commitment to serving the needs of commercial farming operations, and coincides with Carrfields’ expansion plans in the lower South Island.
Agricentre approached Carrfields about the acquisition and, with the approval of Kubota and Krone, Carrfields will commence operations from the existing Kubota premises in Invercargill, consolidate its Gore operations early 2026 and integrate Agricentre’s Kubota Cromwell site into a newly purchased Carrfields site in Alexandra during November.
The transition will take effect from November 14, 2025 for all Kubota and Krone products, with Kubota tractors transitioning on 5 January 2026. This follows Carrfields’ earlier appointment as the Krone retail dealer in Southland, effective 1 October 2025, succeeding Southland Farm Machinery.
The changes mark an important milestone for both businesses as they sharpen their respective focuses to better serve South Island farmers. Agricentre South will now concentrate on large-scale agricultural machinery, representing Case IH, New Holland, Kuhn, and Yamaha.
Meanwhile, Carrfields’ expansion will strengthen the distribution of premium global brands, including HORSCH, Krone, Manitou, MacDon, Novag, Anderson, Grange, Knuckey, and Coolamon. The move complements Carrfields’ established Seed, Livestock, and Financial Services divisions, which operate from its regional bases in Invercargill, Gore, and Alexandra. It will be led by Tristan Leov, the newly-appointed regional manager for Otago and Southland.
“This is an exciting period of rapid growth for Carrfields in the Southland and Central Otago regions,” Carrfields Group Managing Director Craig Carr says. “Our investment reflects our confidence in the future of these regions and our commitment to providing customers with an even broader range of premium products and tailored solutions.”
Chief Executive Officer of Agricentre South, Grant Price adds: “Agricentre has always been dedicated to delivering specialist expertise and support to our customers. This transition enables us to sharpen our focus on the brands and machinery that best serve their needs, allowing us to continue providing outstanding service. We’re confident Carrfields will ensure continuity of service for Kubota customers across Southland and Central Otago.”
Kubota NZ Marketing and Business Development Manager Ian Massicks says the company is pleased to have Carrfields expand their network in the Southland and Central Otago regions.
“There are many synergies between our businesses, and Carrfields’ focus on customer care and service excellence makes them an ideal partner as we continue to grow our presence with premium-quality products. We also thank Agricentre for their long-standing partnership and dedication to the Kubota and Krone brands over many years. This strategic partnership underscores both companies' shared commitment to supporting South Island farmers with world-class products, trusted service, and enduring expertise.”