Vater

The AW Vater & Co fifty-year history is one of great stories of regional South Australia. The company has grown from very humble beginnings to be one of the most respected, successful and diversified agricultural based operations in the state. The partnership of Allen & Doris Vater began in 1956 with the formation of AW Vater & Co. Together they began to grow the family enterprise which Allen had began in 1950 driving a Fargo truck. Allen (AW) had established a transport and grain business by buying and selling chaff, peas and oats and transporting them to the Riverland and back loading with wood and stumps. He also began supplying merchandise along the route. The sale and servicing of agricultural machinery began with New Holland hay products and quickly expanded to include John Shearer, tillage and other brands. As a result A W Vater & Co is among the longest serving New Holland and John Shearer Dealers in Australia.
Over the years, as their five children completed their education they all joined the business, Roger in 1974, Kim 1975, Jill, Rick and Tania in the 1980’s/90s. Currently they are all managers within the four divisions of the business which include; Agricultural and Construction Equipment Dealership, Merchandise and Chemical Supplies, Grain Trading and Transport and Farming, supplying all major brands and services to the wider rural community. Since the 1950’s AW Vater & Co has grown significantly and services clients all over South Australia and interstate.
Since 2000 the third generation have started joining the business ensuring its succession into the future. A W Vater & Co was inducted into the Family Business S.A. Hall of Fame in 2010.