Ruralco Holdings (RHL)

Shares / Stock Code

RHL

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

ax

Ruralco Holdings (RHL) operates through a national footprint of businesses that specialise in rural merchandise, wool broking and livestock agency, real estate agency, fertiliser manufacture, stock feed and grain storage, distribution and handling and financial services.

Growforce Australia was originally created in 1929 as General Fertilizers Limited. The company later expanded into the supply of rural goods, and listed on the Australian stock market (ASX) in 1988. In 2000, Growforce merged with CRT. The Town and Country Group was formed in 1996 with the merger of CRT and Murray River Wholesalers. In 2002, the company underwent a restructuring and was renamed Ruralco Holdings. In 2006, RuralCo merged with Roberts Limited.

The company's strategy is to expand its footprint across regional Australia through acquisitions or majority owned joint ventures. RHL's key companies provide a wide range of services including rural merchandise, wool broking and livestock agency, real estate agency, fertiliser manufacture, stock feed and grain storage, distribution and handling and financial services.

All of RHL's businesses market their products and services to rural customers. RHL competes with other rural and agrochemical suppliers such as Orica and Elders. In October 2009, the Company acquired a 51% interest in Agfarm Pty Ltd and 51% interest in Archards Irrigation Pty Ltd.

Ruralco's businesses around the country operate under their own brands. They have their own cultures, their own service models and their own unique value propositions - all designed to meet the demands of their local or regional markets and to make the most of their own conditions and opportunities. Ruralco is able to benefit from its national strength, while making the most of its many businesses local service.