Long-time MTA member business, WSB Distributors, have recently opened their fifth site, hosting a launch event at their new Loxton branch on the 31st of August.

On the day, the business opened its doors to more than 200 people, who were greeted with a plethora of freebies from WSB Distributors and associated brands as they entered.

WSB Distributors Business Manager, Debra Wehrmann, who was instrumental in the branch’s creation travelled from Clare to be there on the day.

“Fabian Denis, our Group Sales Manager, did a really good job of organising all the machines,” she said.

“We had a massive line-up of Fendt tractors and Massey Ferguson tractors, and a couple of big Goldacres sprayers.

“A lot of the equipment was also at the Eyre Peninsula and the Riverland field days.”

WSB Distributors were awarded the best large outdoor exhibit at the Riverland field days at Barmera, which is a testament to the team’s tireless efforts.

After guests received their free merchandise, they were greeted by one of the brand representatives on-hand to answer any questions about the machinery on display.

“There was always a constant hum in the showroom, and then people filtered out through one of the doors to a coffee van where everyone got free coffee and cake – that was very popular!” said Deb.

Local DJ, Anthony Milich, hosted his radio segment on-site from 10:00am until 1:00pm, interviewing various WSB Distributors staff members, including Deb.

“At midday, the Loxton Rotary cooked a barbeque for us. That just went a treat! People loved it,” she explained.

“It was a beautiful day – the weather was absolutely perfect!”

“Because we had so much donated, we drew 16 separate prizes at 2:00pm, including one wheelbarrow full of prizes. The prizes were things like a sturdy esky or branded jacket – they were very popular. There were tool sets, spray kits, bottles of wine, beanies, caps, not only from us, but from all our brands as well.”

Trading since February this year, the Loxton branch employs five new staff, with plans to expand that number in the future.

“All of our Loxton staff are local – we’re really fortunate to have a great bunch of people,” Deb said.

“They get along and do what they’ve got to do, and they do it very professionally. They just represent the company so well!”

Considering the large scale of the Loxton project, it is impressive to learn that plans for the site have only been in the pipeline since May of last year.

“We took over the shed in June – it’s been a bit of a process,” She recalled.

“We used all local tradespeople. We had an awesome builder who helped us organise all the other sub-contractors that we needed.

“We also had a local electrician who was like our walking, talking local directory.”

Deb is extremely grateful to the local people who rallied to help ready the site for business in such a short turnaround time, giving special thanks to the local plumber, and the cabinet maker who built their parts counter.

“We couldn’t have done it without them, we really hit the jackpot with them,” she said.

“Everyone was super busy and we just sort of rocked up on their doorstep in June and went, ‘hey, we want this done by December’, and they all just jumped on and helped us.

“We’re very proud and excited to be in the Riverland. The Loxton community has been amazingly supportive and welcoming.”

Deb also received a warm welcome from Sonya Altschwager, from the Loxton Chamber of Commerce, who introduced herself at the beginning of the project, and provided assistance at every turn.

“They have a workspace in the centre of town which I was able to use a couple of times before we were set up with internet – what a welcoming for a town!” Deb recounted.

“It was just really lovely. She’s been a great support to me, introducing me to a few of the local councillors.”

Rob Stanway (Director), Sonya Altschwager (Loxton Chamber of Comemrce), Debra Wehrmann

There are plans in the works for WSB Distributors site number six in the future, with a likelihood that it will be located in the Northern Territory.

The MTA SA/NT will be assisting Deb and her team to transition to an interstate operation in every way we can.

“The MTA’s been a really big support for us. It’s really beneficial to be a member,” she said.

“It’s just nice to know that they’ve got our back for whatever we need them for, no question is too silly.”

The Loxton locals who were helpful in the construction and launch of the new site are: