Find out how focusing on three key elements of lubricant use helped Viva Energy and one of their distributor network’s farmers to maximise profitability, reduce risk, and improve performance. We talk to the Viva Energy technical team, distributor John Duff & Co, and a farmer using our products in their equipment for year-round harvesting.
There’s little room for guesswork in modern farming. It takes serious planning, precise implementation and hard work to drive profitability in the face of low margins, unpredictable weather and market volatility.
With farmers increasingly reliant on sophisticated machinery, lubricants may be the agriculture industry’s secret weapon to machinery performance, reliability and longevity. As a result, the Viva Energy team focuses the supply of agricultural lubricants on three key areas that matter most to customers:
- Lubricants that are high-quality
- easy access to expert technical advice
- 可靠的供应从当地经销商网络。
High quality lubricants when it's make or break
Choosing superior lubricants based on your farming needs can improve productivity and cut downtime: meaning you can extend maintenance intervals, reduce wear and tear, and have confidence in equipment reliability.
As Shell’s local distributor in Australia, Viva Energy’s range of lubricants include:
- transmission, gear and axle oils
- petrol and diesel engine oils
- hydraulic oils
- coolants
- greases.
“The Shell lubricants products we supply are made to meet the needs of each part of complex equipment,” says Darren Barwick, Viva Energy’s National Technical Manager.
“他们已经开发出严格的规格，并具有制造商批准，因此我们的客户知道产品将在其机械或设备中执行。”
For farmer Darren Todaro, of Todaro Farms, Viva Energy’s range of Shell lubricants enables them to meet customer expectations year-round. Todaro Farms, which grows fresh produce, switched to Viva Energy supplied products after a recommendation from their local lubricants distributor, John Duff & Co.
“We harvest 52 weeks of the year,” says Todaro (Darren).
“All our equipment needs to work at its full potential so we can deliver product orders in full and on time.”
Ash Seing is the Logistics (Operations) Manager at John Duff & Co. As a mechanic by trade he understands the importance of getting lubricants right to avoid missing harvesting and market opportunities.
“无论您是全年运行还是较短的收获季节，您的设备都需要通过播种，种植和收获来保持运作，”Ash说。
“It’s vital the right product is used in each component to ensure these machines keep performing for when they are needed and for years to come.”
Expert technical support on demand
Viva Energy’s Australian-based helpdesk provides comprehensive technical support to customers across products and maintenance schedules.
“我们发现更多的农民和运营商这些天真正有价值的技术支持，”达伦从Viva Energy说。雷电竞
“The helpdesk staff have more than 250 years of combined experience in lubricants and hydrocarbon applications. Their information and advice means our customers can focus on what they do best.”
The helpdesk also supports the Viva Energy distribution network. Ash from John Duff & Co says they often work with the helpdesk team to find the right product for a customer’s equipment when the harvest can’t wait.
“Working with them to find the right product saves time, which is critical for our customers,” he says.
A distributor network for local advice and quality products
John Duff & Co are part of Viva Energy’s distributor network, matching expert advice on lubricants to local conditions.
建议正确的润滑油和维护时间表来自了解客户需求，市场条件和当地气候。Ash表示，局部建议在混合农业的地区尤为重要。
“Our farmers are growing small herb products and a variety of vegetables. There’s also major crops for feeding the dairy industry,” says Ash.
“了解该区域意味着我可以推荐适合农业运营的产品，并提供帮助他们通过不断变化的天气，种植和收获条件来管理的建议。”
For Darren from Todaro Farms, lubricants are best left to the professionals. They’ve worked with John Duff & Co for more than 40 years.
“Their experience and advice is invaluable. We bought a new excavator last year and our first port of call was to John Duff & Co for lubricant advice,” he says.
To keep agriculture moving, Ash from Duff & Co says in most cases he delivers direct to his customers on the day they order. The products are held locally so there’s no waiting on overseas shipments.
When the weather won’t wait
如果没有正确的润滑剂产品和维护计划，您的机器可能会在关键的时间内失败，并使您的收获和提供风险承诺。
“Our team loves getting involved in their planning process for a clear understanding of what lubricants to use, when to service and maintain machinery, and when to replace consumables,” says Darren from Viva Energy.
Even with a proactive maintenance schedule, we know farming may not always go to plan. Darren says equipment reliability is crucial to pivoting fast to take advantage of weather conditions or market demand.
“Sometimes there are only small windows of opportunity to maximise profitability,” he says.
“It’s vital to keep machinery moving.”
Grow with partners you trust
Viva Energy values the safe and reliable supply of quality products and building relationships right through the supply chain. Through our expert distribution network, we’re providing a local and responsive supply chain - businesses who champion farmers and agricultural operators.
Talk to Viva Energy aboutlubricants to optimiseperformance and profitability.