CASE STUDY

TE HORO ORNAMENTALS

Location: Kapiti Coast, New Zealand

Industry: Plant Nursery
 

OVERVIEW

Te Horo Ornamentals is a long-standing specialist nursery on the Kapiti Coast, focused on cultivating South African and Australian plant varieties. With nearly 50 years in operation, owner Geoff Jewell and his team have continually refined their systems to balance efficiency, safety, and precision in their day-to-day work. Transitioning from traditional tractors to Avant loaders has been one of the most significant operational upgrades in recent years.

CHALLENGES

Navigating tight spaces inside growing houses was a major limitation with conventional equipment. Traditional tractors, with their larger safety frames and restricted visibility, were unable to enter many of the nursery’s enclosed structures. This created inefficiencies in transporting pallets and performing daily maintenance. The team also needed machinery that could be picked up quickly by staff, handle a broad range of attachments, and reduce physical strain during long workdays.

THE SOLUTION

Te Horo Ornamentals introduced their first Avant loader to overcome the limitations of tractors, and quickly discovered how well-suited it was to nursery work. The compact design, tight turning circle, and low-profile safety frame allowed operators to move in and out of greenhouses with ease. The machine’s comfortable seating and intuitive joystick controls simplified training and day-to-day use.

With the addition of attachments like pallet forks, rotary hoes, buckets, and trimmers, Avant loaders became a go-to tool for the nursery’s varied workload. The success of the first machine led to the purchase of four more.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Superior manoeuvrability

    Tight turning radius ideal for nursery layouts and greenhouse access.

  • Low-profile design

    Safety frame fits within growing houses where tractors couldn’t operate.

  • Operator comfort

    Ergonomic controls and seating reduce fatigue and make training easier.

  • Attachment versatility

    A wide range of accessories supports diverse nursery tasks.

  • Enhanced visibility

    Improved line of sight when operating pallet forks compared to tractors.

  • Reliable support

    Ongoing support and responsiveness from the Avant Equipment NZ team.

Customer testimonial

Hear from Geoff Jewell, TE HORO ORNAMENTALs Owner.

DOWNLOAD

Nursery brochure

From lifting delicate plant pallets to navigating tight rows and soft ground, Avant loaders are the trusted machine for nursery professionals across New Zealand.

Download our Nursery brochure to discover why Avant is the right choice for your nursery.

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