The original Grain and Seed Company which operated from the Ashburton premises now occupied by Cates Grain & Seed Ltd, was established in 1896 by Freidlander Bros. Over the years the business continued although the name changed, along with ownership to Murdoch Bruce Ltd and later Buchanans Merchants Ltd. Peter Cates Ltd was established in 1973 and moved into the West Street, Ashburton grain and seed store which was vacated when Buchanans Merchants ceased trading.
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The Company’s headquarters have remained in Ashburton, the centre of New Zealand’s grain and seed heartland, servicing farmer clients throughout Mid, Central and North Canterbury.