IPF celebrates 30 years at Scottsdale
Farmers, agronomists and industry stakeholders viewing the recent upgrades at IPF’s Scottsdale Regional Supply Centre.
August 13, 2025
This month, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers’ (IPF) is celebrating a major milestone at its Scottsdale Regional Supply Centre (RSC), which has been supporting the productivity of farmers across Tasmania’s North East for 30 years.
The journey began when Pivot Fertilisers, originally a farming cooperative, purchased the local P and M Hall business in 1994. With a $2 million investment, the iconic community super shed transformed into a state-of-the-art precision farming centre.
The new facility was officially opened on 30 March 1995 by then Tasmanian Farmers and Grazers Association President, Peter France.
IPF’s North East Tasmania Sales Manager, Lester Rainbow has been with the business since 1996 and said that from its inception, IPF Scottsdale was ahead of its time.
“Our facility was designed to blend between two and 10 products simultaneously, fully compliant with Australian standards, a capability we proudly maintain today.”
“We are immensely proud that this capacity remains intact, underpinning our consistent delivery of quality fertiliser solutions for farmers across the North East.
What was initially known as Pivot Precision Farming, the business model provided comprehensive agricultural solutions for farmers, including a comprehensive model of agronomic support. This approach helped farmers optimise yield while reducing waste and environmental impact. Complementing this was Pivospread, a spreading and cartage service that extended IPF’s reach across the region.
By 2000, IPF Scottsdale transitioned to a direct selling model, allowing closer relationships with farmers and an even more responsive service.
“Direct selling marked a significant shift in our business operations. While this allowed us closer interaction and service to our customers, it also meant we had to re-evaluate certain operations,” said Lester.
The transition wasn’t without challenges. The closure of the Australian National Railways lines disrupted logistics, forcing the team to replace single 500-tonne rail delivery which occurred weekly with approximately 12-15 truckloads of fertiliser by road each week.
“It reshaped how we operated, but we adapted, and that resilience has defined us ever since,” said Lester.
In 2004, the merger between Pivot Fertilisers and Incitec Fertilisers marked a cultural shift from cooperative roots to a corporate structure. Yet, IPF Scottsdale’s direct selling model endured, evolving to meet the changing needs of Tasmania’s dynamic farming landscape.
Despite these changes, IPF Scottsdale’s direct selling approach remained strong and adaptable, continuing to work in partnership with farmers in Tasmania’s evolving farming landscape.
Looking ahead: Building a sustainable future together.
Today, IPF Scottsdale remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation, sustainability, and productivity. Recent upgrades across IPF’s Tasmanian sites, including Scottsdale, Circular Head, Longford and Devonport, form part of an $11 million investment over the past five years.
IPF President Scott Bowman said this investment demonstrates IPF’s strong commitment to supporting Tasmania’s diverse agricultural sectors, from horticulture and viticulture to livestock and dairy.
The Scottsdale site has been extensively upgraded to boost operational safety and blending performance. A highlight is the newly installed liquid fertiliser coating system, enabling precise application of essential trace elements like Sodium Molybdate, and improving consistency when applying next-generation Enhanced Efficiency Fertilisers (EEFs) such as eNpower® and Green Urea NV®.
The blending capacity of the site has also been enhanced. The average throughput is approximately 26,000 tonnes per year, including 22,000 tonnes of blends. Dispatch has also been improved with a new bagging plant increasing throughput and easing weighbridge congestion.
This year, both Scottsdale and Circular Head Regional Supply Centres (RSCs) celebrate 30 years of operation. To mark these major milestones, IPF hosted Productivity Pays Roadshow events at
both sites, welcoming farmers, agronomists and other agricultural industry stakeholders.
“The Productivity Pays Roadshow is an opportunity for growers and industry partners to see firsthand how recent investments across IPF’s Tasmanian sites are delivering real-world benefits for our customers,” said Scott.
Looking ahead, an exciting development is the upcoming sale of IPF to Ridley Corporation.
“This is an excellent outcome for our valued customers, the communities where we operate, and our people. Ridley is a leading, diversified Australian agricultural services company, is a good fit for our business and will be a strong custodian of the IPF brand.
“Ridley sees a significant opportunity to build the existing market position of our distribution business by bringing investment and leveraging the skills and capabilities of our people.
“While some change is inevitable, it is business as usual in our operations,”
“Our focus remains firmly on serving our farming community with the same commitment and dedication we’ve demonstrated over the past 30 years,” said Scott.
IPF Scottsdale’s role as a reliable fertiliser partner remains vital after three decades, continuing its tradition of strong local relationships, practical solutions, and persistent investment in agricultural innovation.
IPF President, Scott Bowman at the Scottsdale Regional Supply Centre.
“Our focus remains firmly on serving our farming community with the same commitment and dedication we’ve demonstrated over the past 30 years,”
Andrew Hill, Scottsdale Site Coordinator at the Productivity Pays Roadshow event.
Over 80 farmers, agronomists and industry stakeholders attended the IPF Productivity Pays Roadshow event at Scottsdale.
IPF Productivity Pays Roadshow event at the IPF Scottsdale Regional Supply Centre, which celebrates 30 years this year.
Celebrating 30 years:
Lester Rainbow on three decades of service to Tasmanian growers
Lester Rainbow, Sales Manager North East Tasmania.
IPF Scottsdale’s success has been shaped by its people, and few have shaped it more than Lester Rainbow. Next year, Lester celebrates 30 years at IPF Scottsdale. His deep fertiliser knowledge, steady leadership, and long-standing partnerships with farmers across the North East have made him a trusted figure in the region.
Overseeing both sales and marketing, Lester plays a vital role in ensuring farmers get the right products when they need them most. His expertise and commitment have helped guide the business through three decades of change and growth, making him a constant through IPF Scottsdale’s many transformations.
Looking back at the last three decades, Lester reflected on how significantly the business has grown in both scale and professionalism over the years.
“Back when I started, I was servicing around 101 dairy farms. With the shift toward corporate dairies and fewer small family farms, we now service around 60 dairy farmers. These days, we manage roughly 330 direct customers across North East Tasmania from George Town, Launceston and the East Coast, all the way up to Flinders Island.
“There’s been a consolidation of farms over the years, with fewer families on the land and farms that are now a lot bigger.
Lester highlights that despite these changes, IPF’s commitment to relationships in Tasmania’s North East has been central to their success.
“IPF has always moved with the times, it’s a well-drilled business.
“There has always been strong leadership from the top down, and the culture has adapted to maintain that connection with farmers, even as we’ve grown,” said Lester.
Lester says that a key part of IPF Scottsdale’s impact within the area has been its ability to support farmers through both agronomic innovation and practical business tools. Over the years, the site has played a hands-on role in trialling and introducing new fertiliser technologies to the Tasmanian market.
“Helping bring new products to market has been a real highlight, products like Green Urea NV, and more recently Trigger, which is gaining real momentum in the horticulture space.
“It takes time, a decade sometimes to build trust and adoption. But when it clicks, you know you’ve played a part in something valuable,” Lester said.
Lester said that the future of IPF is bright with more investments in product and local infrastructure
“There’s still plenty of opportunity to grow. As long as we keep listening to what growers need and continue backing innovative solutions, IPF will remain central to ag in Tassie.
“Transitioning continues across the state as family succession ensures many local names remain in our North East area. We’ve moved from trading with grandparents and parents to now working with the next generation.”
Lester said that his time at IPF taught him to embrace change.
“Whether it’s tech, a new product or service, this industry keeps evolving, and that’s a good thing.
“I’ve seen young farmers out there today using drones to spray thistles or running variable rate irrigation, they’re embracing the future, and that’s exciting.”
With three decades of experience, IPF Scottsdale is well-positioned for a promising future, supported by its dedication to innovation, sustainability, and the strong relationships the team has established within the Tasmanian farming community.