Local author and retired Central Hawke’s Bay farmer, Ewan McGregor, has announced that profits from his latest book will be donated to Hawke’s Bay Foundation by the publishers.

Titled ‘The Price of Success’, the book documents the history of iconic stock and station company – Williams & Kettle from its establishment in the late 1800s to its takeover by Wrightson in 2005.

McGregor says the primary motive for the book was to create a public record of the extremely challenging restructuring that was necessary for the firm to survive.

The restructuring involved the exiting of all activity not specific to farm servicing, which resulted in a painful reduction of staffing by 50%. The company then built on its reputation and expanded out of its long-held traditional area – Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne – to eventually, the whole of the North Island.

“Ironically, that success led to the compelling company takeover by Williams and Kettle’s rival, Wrightson, the otherwise only remaining stock and station agency,” says McGregor. “Hence the title, ‘The Price of Success.’”

Published by The Wilket Committee –a team of former Williams and Kettle management – 100% of the book’s profits are being donated to Hawke’s Bay Foundation, chosen because Williams & Kettle was locally-based throughout its existence.

Copies of ‘The Price of Success’ are available for $45.00 through PGGWrightson stores or by emailing [email protected].