Founded in 1946 at Ararat in Western Victoria, AF Gason has become a brand synonymous with agriculture.
The family owned business moved into agriculture supplying retro-fitted cabins for major tractor manufacturers such as John Deere.
As cabins became a factory standard, Gason diversified, resulting in a brand portfolio which not only includes air-seeders, spreaders and planters but fireplaces and components.
AF Gason, agricultural division head and director, Greg Gason, one of the sons of the founder said their business was committed to agriculture for the long term.
“We are not a fly by night company, we have been around for seventy years and have succession plans in place,” he said.
“Strategies are in place to ensure we remain in agriculture and we are committed to that future.”
Mr Gason said one of these strategies was a realignment into three business streams, agricultural machinery, wood heaters and sub-contract manufacturing.
As part of this change Mr Gason, a major shareholder and director of the company will now head up the agricultural division.
Mr Gason who is a qualified engineer, previously held the position of head of engineering.
“We have a vast range of agricultural products, over forty wood heaters, so tens of thousands of line items going through the production line,” he said.
“Placing a specific focus on the agricultural division would ensure it remained at the forefront.”
“We are showing the industry that we take agriculture seriously.”
Gason is a significant regional employer, a role Mr Gason said they took seriously despite ups and downs in agriculture.
“We’ve had peaks and troughs, like any business,” he said.
“We have over 100 staff, and we want to maintain them and keep our skills in-house.
“We have a responsibility to our community.
“We want to remain a strong business.”
Mr Gason said another part of their business strategy was technical service, which is why they ensured their agricultural engineers attended field days.
“We pride ourselves on providing good service and technical service,” he said.
“We listen to growers and take on what they say, we are striving for continual improvement.
“We are a solid company, with strong foundations and is based on principles of honesty and integrity.”