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| Staff Writer |
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In the competitive world of equine stables, one name is rapidly gaining recognition for its innovative approach and unwavering commitment to quality: Craig Vincent's Portable Horse Stables. From the heart of Tamworth, New South Wales, Vincent is revolutionising the industry with a product that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Craig Vincent's journey to becoming a leader in the equine stables industry is as unique as his product. "I'm from the local town of Tamworth, which is halfway between Brisbane and Sydney," he begins. "My father and grandfather were local farmers and graziers; they were using horses all their lives."
This deep-rooted connection to the equine world has been instrumental in shaping Vincent's approach to stable design. "I was immediately thrown on the back of a horse, and I was enjoying my younger years in Pony Club and polocrosse up until my early 20s, regularly on a horse," he recalls fondly.
Vincent's path took an unexpected turn when his high school Japanese studies led him to live in Osaka, Japan. "After joining the Japanese company ITOCHU as a wool buyer fresh out of high school, after one year of joining the company, they sent me to work in our office in Osaka for 3 years," he explains. They had never had an Australian working for them who knew about wool but could also speak Japanese! This international experience would later prove invaluable in navigating the complexities of global logistics and trade.
"For the first 10 years, I was very much involved in exporting raw materials from Australia," Vincent shares. "And now the past 10 years I've been importing food and feed ingredients – still for the same Japanese company. I have set up my own company and contract with them - which has allowed me to relocate to my hometown of Tamworth with my young family and still operate an international trading job. I manage the buying, importing, sales and distribution of more than 100 shipping containers of product per month into the Australian market."
A good mate of mine came into my office one day and said, “This is what I reckon you should do with your connections and importing skills". “It was then during a routine business trip to China seven years ago, I went by a steel fabricator who was already manufacturing cattle panels for the Australian market, and I gave them a design of a horse stable panel and asked them to make up some samples," Vincent recounts. "Then, with a few close family and friends to help refine the initial design, that's where the journey started."
it’s "The durability, the flexibility, and the affordability," Vincent states, succinctly summarising what sets Portable Horse Stables apart. But these are more than just buzzwords; it's a philosophy deeply ingrained in every aspect of the product.
The stables' unique design allows them to be "free-standing inside an existing shed for long-term use," Vincent explains. "People can use them for many years as permanent structures if they wish. However, if they ever relocate or want to move them in any way, they can pull them down and take them to the next place. Or if they want to add to them over time, they can purchase more panels and do that themselves. Or if no longer needed - they can sell them on eBay!"
This flexibility is a key selling point. "Racecourses and regional showgrounds in Australia have been established for many years, almost 100 years. There are a lot of stables that were built many years ago, but they are now either too small or breaking down," Vincent notes. "Those entities can apply for government grants or raise their own funds to build a shed; then these panels can go straight inside to make durable, long-term stables within minutes, ready for use immediately."
Vincent's background in international trade has given him a unique perspective on manufacturing, lead times, shipping and foreign exchange rates. "Because we utilise the manufacturing in China, we can 'over specify', so to speak. We can add more screws, more weld points, more robust materials in order to make a more durable product that is not easy to break," he reveals.
This attention to detail is evident in every component. "The mesh along the top is now in three separate sections, with it reinforced around the edging on either side," Vincent describes. This detail addresses a common weak point in traditional stable designs. "We've strengthened the mesh by increasing the diameter of the wire to five millimetres and added RHS around the edges to lock in the mesh ends."
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What truly sets Portable Horse Stables apart is Vincent's commitment to customer feedback. "I remain in close contact with customers who have bought in the past. The horse industry is so large and diverse – yet is a “very small world” at the same time. It is important for me to be proactive and listen to any issues. Happy customers tell their friends and family. Word of mouth is key for my business. Developing a relationship with those early customers, particularly in the Thoroughbred industry, has been crucial in refining the product over the years," he says.
"Customers have been able to give me feedback on the quality of what was breaking and what was not," Vincent explains. "And also, when the manufacturer visits from China to Australia, I can take them to the properties and show them what a horse is doing to the panels, and where to rectify the quality if needed." Benchmarking the quality and safety needed on young Thoroughbreds – means it generally works on all other breeds from there!
In an industry where time is often of the essence, Vincent's approach to customer service is refreshingly proactive. "I have direct contact with the manufacturer every day," he states. "If any customers send me any photos of anything breaking or any problems, I send them immediately to the manufacturer so we can discuss. They're very good on social media platforms, as you know, for example, WeChat, we can be discussing all day, every day. Their quick response is always great. I will never change manufacturer or chase for a cheaper alternative. They are part of the business and essentially more important to it than I am now. If the quality and affordability speak for themselves – then sales and repeat business will come.”
In the current world of high value Thoroughbreds, safety is paramount. Vincent's stable design reflects this priority without sacrificing functionality or aesthetics.
"Safety is absolutely paramount," Vincent explains. "The connector pins are inside the top and the bottom of the panels. They're not on the outside, so there's no lugs or dangerous points in the corner. The latches are all slide-bolt-system which makes them not only safe but durable. There are no springs or moving parts that can easily break down."
He adds, "We have a safety latch bolt at the bottom of the door so that if the horses kick at the bottom of the door, there is no movement, and it is locked into place. Screws and bolt heads are all flat, so there are no areas where a horse can kick up and cut themselves."
Vincent's commitment to quality extends to the materials used in Portable Horse Stables. "Probably the most value added within the panels is the HDPE infill at the bottom," he explains. "Conventional manufacturers here in Australia use plywood, which, of course, is a wood composite product, but our panels have a high-density polyethene (HDPE) infill, which is the same as poly pipe but in a sheeting form."
This innovative material offers numerous benefits. "It's 10 millimetres thick. It cops a barrage over the years and does not break. It has the flexibility to take the brunt of a kick without damaging the product (and, more importantly, the hoof!). They don't chew at it like they do with wood, and it doesn't rot if it gets wet," Vincent says. "It's very good for veterinarians because it's non-porous, so any bacteria can be easily washed off with disinfectant."
Perhaps what truly makes Portable Horse Stables world-class is the personal touch that comes with every sale or delivery. "We're putting our family name and our family reputation behind the product we sell," Vincent states with pride.
This commitment to integrity is reinforced by his father's involvement in the business. "My father helps drive the truck and forklift for me," Vincent shares. "He comes with me on every delivery and is really the PR man, because nine times out of ten, he will know the customer or the parents or even the grandparents of the customer! As we set up the stables together, we get to know the customer, and it means they can feel comfortable remaining in contact in case of any issues (or, of course, repeat business!). Like I said – the horse industry is a very small place!”
“This is important as it means we are, first and foremost, horse people, selling a product we have designed and imported specifically for the equine industry. Not just importers and sellers of a product sourced through Alibaba!”
As Portable Horse Stables continues to grow, Vincent remains focused on quality and customer satisfaction. "It's very much steady as she goes. What we've done in the past is what needs to continue in order to grow in the future. Keeping customers happy, keeping the product integrity," he affirms.
The company's adaptability is evident in its response to customer needs. "We found over the years, a 3.6-metre panel is sometimes not quite big enough, especially for a mare and foal or a stallion," Vincent notes. "So although we have a 'one size fits most' policy, we've been able to develop a 1.3-metre panel which can be added on to an existing panel, whether it's on the depth or the width, to essentially make a five-meter panel, which is then plenty big enough for most customers."
While currently focused on the Australian market, Vincent's international experience has him poised for expansion. "There's a definite opportunity to expand into other countries," he muses. "We now have a flat pack, easy to transport and yet durable product that’s been upgraded in quality over six or seven years, which I'd be happy to take to any market."
From equine enthusiasts starting out with their first horse, right through to major racing and showjumping entities across Australia, Craig Vincent's Portable Horse Stables are proving that with the right combination of innovation, quality, and customer service, it's possible to stand out in even the most competitive markets. As Vincent puts it, "The main thing is to keep the quality at an affordable price, and it should continue to grow as it has been."
As the equine stables industry evolves, one thing is clear: Portable Horse Stables is leading the charge into a more flexible, durable, and customer-focused future.