ELDERS Bunbury has been crowned this year's "Western Zone" branch of the year, narrowly missing out on claiming top honours nationally.
The local team was beaten only by Elders Toowoomba, Queensland but significantly turned the tables in claiming the mantle of Elders´ biggest company branch in Australia for nett financial contribution for the 2016 calendar year.
Elders zone manager west James Cornish said it was a phenomenal result from the local team and was a reflection of the great culture, quality staff and diverse products and services range being offered through the branch.
"Elders Bunbury achieved a 35 per cent growth in Ebit year-on-year and that was on the back of a 25pc increase in 2015," Mr Cornish said.
"Our Bunbury business has always been heavily driven by livestock (30pc of all staff are employed in livestock-related roles) and some would say these results are largely a reflection of strong cattle prices.
"But what is most pleasing is that our unit numbers for cattle were also up indicating genuine growth."
Mr Cornish said the branch had also experienced improved results in other sections of the business including significant growth in sheep and wool, financial services, insurance, real estate and retail which recorded 60pc growth, reflecting the commitment from Elders into the horticulture, animal health, seed, chemical, fertiliser and general merchandise markets.
"Two years ago we had no residential or property management streams operating through this office and now they are an important part of what we do," he said.
"Bunbury branch really epitomises our company strategy of increased diversification especially through capital light initiatives like property management and residential real estate which don't require large capital injection to get started but can provide significant returns."
Mr Cornish said Bunbury's result was attributable to the work of branch manager of five years Simon Wilkinson and a skilled, dedicated and loyal team of 35 staff who had gelled and co-operated across all sections of the business for maximum overall gain.
Mr Wilkinson said the move to a new purpose-built premises on South West Highway three years ago had also been a game changer for the business, boosting client traffic and staff morale.
"We have a great mix of experience and youth and this result has given us some real momentum as we head into our 100th anniversary year in 2018," he said.
