Southern International Joins Stevenson Family

Stevenson is delighted with its recent purchase of reputable South Island company Southern International Limited.

The company is a very successful transport and heavy equipment sales, service and parts business, based in Christchurch. They hold the IVECO and International truck dealerships for the South Island, together with a range of other well-known equipment agencies. The business has a reputation for quality and experience. The team will bring a wealth of knowledge to the Stevenson business, particularly in the service and parts aspects of transport servicing. The company operates a 24-hour call-out service and runs a fleet of service vehicles put on the road specifically to cater to the needs of clients working around the South Island.

Southern International have a very competent and experienced group of around 40 staff. This includes 20 in the workshops and 20 in administration and parts. Former owners Kevin and Grant Cooper will be staying on as managers for the long-term and the company will continue to trade under the Southern International name. Kevin specialises in the commercial and parts side of the business while Grant is responsible for the technical and service aspects of the company.

Says Stevenson Engineering CEO Peter Dudson: ‘Southern International have a strong reputation in Christchurch for their integrity and quality workmanship. They’ve been a family-owned business with a similar culture to Stevenson. They bring a range of experience in the transport service sector that complements what we’re doing. And we’ll be bringing horsepower to their operation, enabling them to grow in the South Island.

‘We’ve been hugely impressed with the quality of their people, ranging from the parts, stores and administration side of the business through to the calibre of staff in the workshop. We can learn a lot from them. Their attention to detail and their customer service is superb.'

‘We believe that we’ve bought an excellent business and we’re looking forward to a rewarding process of evolving and growing together. Southern International will participate in Auckland business initiatives and we’ll swap skills around to blend the best of what we do,’ he says.

‘Southern International fits well within Stevenson Engineering. We’re looking forward to the prospect of combining the relative strengths of each company for our mutual benefit,’ says Stevenson Managing Director John Rae. ‘The acquisition will considerably enhance our servicing operations, bringing new perspectives and skills to our current engineering business. It will also allow Engineering to provide services to clients on a national basis. It’s an exciting and logical step on our journey to expand this business.’