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PORTABLE HORSE STABLES
container load , initially thinking of supplying the local market . Once I started a Facebook page and website , it generated interest nationally . Because they ’ re a flat pack system , they ’ re easy to transport anywhere across Australia .”
Country Auctions sells a lot of second hand farm equipment . Proprietor Gus Newcombe and Craig are mates . “ Gus sold something similar one day and had a lot of interest from people who had just moved to the area who needed to set up stables in an existing shed they had on their new property . This got us thinking , and like all good ideas over a few beers at the pub , we realised that with my manufacturing and importing background plus knowledge of the horse industry , it might be something to work on ,” said Craig .
Craig started researching the industry and realised there were stable manufacturers around , but they mainly produced permanent structures . People can often be reluctant to build a permanent structure because they can ’ t take it with them if they relocate .
It was never Craig ’ s intention to import significant volumes of product . A container load is around 45 stables , so he thought he would bring one container load in at a time to gauge interest . Since the inception of the product in June 2017 , the company has sold around 800 stables .
“ Portable Horse Stables is a second business for me , but one that I really enjoy as it allows me to communicate with so many different equine clubs and disciplines . I have a few special friends and family who have helped with marketing , quality , finance and logistics . As I had come from a corporate background , I had no experience in starting a new business . Derek Tink from Business Connect in Tamworth pointed me in the right direction ,” says Craig .
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE FACEBOOK PAGE w : portablehorsestables . com . au or call Craig on 0418 263 018
“ Portable Horse Stables combines my love of all things equine with my experience in international trade and manufacturing . Tamworth is an ideal market with a huge equine industry locally but more importantly a state of the art facility in AELEC - which draws equine enthusiasts from all over Australia on a weekly basis .”
“ The stables were initially designed as an economical way for people starting out in the equine industry or for those who are leasing / renting and couldn ’ t build stables . However , we soon found plenty of horse owners / trainers and even commercial entities like race tracks and showgrounds who need to upgrade existing stables or increase the number of stables on site . The Australian equine industry is very diverse and continues to grow ,” says Craig .
The stables are made from 50 mm x 50 mm x 2 mm galvanised steel . Each panel is 3.6 m wide and 2.2 m high , weighing 140 kg , and a gate panel is 170 kg , so they ’ re substantial and suited for long-term use . They are erected or dismantled within minutes . The added value for this product is the high-density polyethylene infill . In the bottom section of each panel , there ’ s a 10 mm thick HDPE sheet . Traditionally plywood is used , which is not as durable . HDPE is also nonporous , so it ’ s bacteria-free and can be washed down easily . HDPE is very strong and has some flexibility to bear the brunt of a kicking horse without anything breaking .
Craig ’ s plan for Portable Horse Stables is to continue to focus on the quality of the product , cash flow and customers , and the business should then grow organically . Word of mouth is a wonderful thing . The business also sponsors various local equine events , marketing directly to various equine disciplines assisting these clubs financially to run the events .
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW . AQHA . COM . AU