Livestock broking firms Hazlett and Peter Walsh & Associates are combining.
Succession planning by Peter and Karen Walsh and the PW&A board identified Hazlett as the company closest in culture to it, a statement from the two companies said.
The new structure would continue to be family-owned.
Hazlett will acquire all of PW&A’s operations on July 1, except for Peter Walsh & Associates Finance (PWAF), which Peter Walsh will retain.
Hazlett chairman Graham Brown said his company and PW&A already knew each other well, having jointly developed and operated the Coalgate Saleyards.
"Peter has jokingly described us as ‘friendly competitors’, but I think our shared focus on people and a commitment to do the best for our clients makes this development more of a win-win than any sort of truce," he said.
The company would operate throughout the South Island and into the North Island, providing insurance, agri-supplies, funding and procurement services, as well as livestock broking.
Peter Walsh & Associates was established in 2002 by Mr Walsh and Hamish Lane. It now has more than 30 livestock brokers, a regional manager and two sales co-ordinators.
Hazlett was launched in 2008 as a livestock broking service and, since then, has extended to provide insurance, agri-supplies and funding solutions to businesses of many types.
Mr and Mrs Walsh would continue to be involved in the business, the statement said.
