Growth spurt for PMR 

Hinds-based PMR Grain Systems has had an injection of enthusiasm, energy and innovation with new owners behind the established crop storage, handling systems and engineering business. 

Locals, Tom and Kate Burke, purchased the company in May. 

An engineer by trade, Tom was the general manager of PMR prior to taking over the business. He is joined by his wife Kate, who has put her career as an anaesthetic technician at Christchurch Hospital aside to assist with the administration. 

When not in work mode, Tom and Kate enjoy hiking the hills with their two young children and are volunteer firefighters for the Hinds Rural Fire Brigade. 

The Burkes plan to take the foundations laid by the previous owners and build on that with a modern approach embracing new technology and innovation. With their fully equipped engineering workshop in Hinds, the company designs and manufactures parts for a wide variety of grain systems. 

PMR also imports feed handling and storage equipment, seed cleaning equipment, and dairy shed feed systems. 

While most of the engineering work is done at PMR’s workshop, the company also has a fully equipped mobile service, and offers on-farm maintenance and repairs as needed. 

“We’re working with the same key suppliers and adding exciting new suppliers from the UK, US and Europe.” 

With the couple’s youthful enthusiasm, the business is in a growth phase with plans to expand the workshop next year to meet growing demand. 

“We’ve taken on more qualified maintenance and service engineers and developed a new website,” Tom said. 

For the Burkes, their team is an important part of their success. 

“We have a great, trustworthy and capable team from engineers to site and office staff. At PMR we take pride in our work and stand by our service,” they said. 

With harvest just around the corner, PMR is gearing up to help local farmers and seed companies with their crop drying, storage and cleaning needs. 

Full issue available here: https://www.guardianonline.co.nz/content/files/2023/11/Rural-Guardian-December-2023—LowRES.pdf