Privacy Policy
Last updated: 16 January 2025
Introduction
This privacy policy explains how Southward Warehouse Automation (“Southward”, “we”, “us”, “our”) handles your personal information.
“Personal information” means any information about you where your identity is apparent or can reasonably be ascertained.
Our approach to privacy is based on transparency. Whenever we request personal information, we will generally explain the purpose for its collection and who it may be disclosed to.
Our website may contain links to third‑party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and recommend that you review their privacy policies before providing personal information.
Privacy of your personal information
Southward provides warehouse automation, storage, and material‑handling solutions directly to customers and through authorised partners.
We respect your right to privacy and understand the importance of protecting your personal information. We comply with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and any relevant industry codes and regulations relating to the handling of personal information.
Information we obtain
The amount and type of personal information we collect depends on how you interact with us. We may collect personal information if you:
- apply to become a registered user of our website
- make a product or service enquiry
- subscribe to a mailing list
- lodge a product complaint or warranty enquiry
- complete an application or enter into an agreement
- correspond with us by email, phone, post, or online forms
- call our customer service team
- enter a promotion or competition
Information collected may include: your name, address, contact details, date of birth, payment information, and driver licence details.
Information collected may include: your name, address, contact details, date of birth, payment information, and driver licence details.
Social media
To enhance your experience on our website, we may offer the option to interact with third‑party social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or others.
If you participate in Southward promotional campaigns via these platforms, you authorise us to access certain information from your social media profile as permitted by that platform’s privacy settings.
You may withdraw this permission by adjusting your social media settings or removing the related application.
Security of your personal information
We take reasonable steps to:
- securely store your personal information in protected digital systems, hard copy files, and access‑controlled environments
- protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure
We will take reasonable measures to destroy or de‑identify personal information when it is no longer needed, unless retention is required by law.
Credit reporting information
Southward may collect financial and trading information from business customers to establish and manage commercial relationships. This information is stored securely for internal accounting, customer service, and credit‑management purposes.
Collection of commercial credit information occurs only with your consent. We may request details such as:
- NZBN/ABN
- business structure
- financial details
- trading history
- trade references
We may receive credit‑related information from credit reporting agencies or trade referees you have nominated. We may also disclose limited commercial information when you nominate Southward as a trade reference.
We use this information solely to assess creditworthiness. It is not used for direct‑marketing pre‑screening and is not intentionally disclosed outside New Zealand unless permitted by law.
Collection and use of your personal information
We may collect and use your personal information to:
- identify you and manage secure access to our website
- respond to enquiries and applications
- maintain records of our interactions
- register and administer product warranties
- protect against fraud
- comply with legal obligations
- communicate with you to improve our services
- enhance website content and user experience
Your consent is implied when you provide us with personal information. Marketing materials are provided only if you opt‑in.
If you choose not to provide personal information, we may be unable to deliver some services.
You may generally browse our website without identifying yourself.
Disclosure of personal information
We will only disclose your personal information:
- with your consent
- for the purpose for which it was collected
- for related purposes you would reasonably expect
- where required by law (e.g., public safety or law enforcement)
We may share your personal information with:
- companies within our group
- authorised partners and service providers
- contractors assisting with:
- mailing and shipping
- IT services
- legal, accounting, or professional services
- credit reporting
- installation, servicing, or maintenance
- insurance
- market research
- billing and debt collection
- website analytics
We take reasonable steps to ensure these third parties handle personal information in accordance with this policy and on a confidential basis.
We do not sell personal information or distribute it to third parties for direct marketing unrelated to Southward’s business.
Information transfer
If personal information is transferred outside New Zealand, we will ensure the recipient is subject to privacy protections that are comparable to those in the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
Sensitive information
We do not typically collect sensitive information (such as health, criminal, ethnic, or religious data). If such information is provided, we will only collect and use it with your consent and for the purpose for which it was supplied.
Access
We take reasonable steps to ensure personal information is accurate, complete, and up‑to‑date. You may request access to, or correction of, your personal information at any time, subject to legal limitations.
To request access or correction, please contact our Privacy Officer.
Queries and complaints
If you have questions or concerns about this policy, or believe a breach may have occurred, please contact:
Privacy Officer
Southward Warehouse Automation
Email: [insert email]
Phone: [insert phone]
Postal Address: [insert NZ address]
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (New Zealand) at
www.privacy.org.nz.
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