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Due to internal progression we are now advertising for the above role. As the business continues to grow and develop it is an exciting time for Crawfords!
We are currently looking for an individual with a passion for Agriculture to join our team as a Territory Sales Person in East Sussex.
Responsibilities of the Experienced Territory Sales Person:
Required Experience/Skills:
If you wish to talk to someone in total confidence please call James Robson on 07712 306832.
To apply, please send a covering letter and your CV to James Robson via Email at: james.robson@crawfordsltd.co.uk
Sharmans Agricultural Ltd hosted a very successful Open day at their HQ in Grantham, Lincolnshire on Thursday 3rdMay, to celebrate 100 years of John Deere Tractors!
The first John Deere Waterloo Boy tractor model N was produced inWaterloo Iowa in 1918 when Deere bought the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company. This year the company is celebrating 100 years of Tractor production with events and activities especially focused on the 7 John Deere tractor factories located around the world.
In addition to a huge display of new and used tractors and equipment which included 43 brand new John Deere tractor models of pretty much every possible range and model from a 5M to a 9RX, Sharmans also rounded up many historically significant John Deere tractor models from local enthusiasts and collectors within their customer base.
The key message for farmers who visited crop establishment specialists Claydon during their two open days in May was that reducing ‘per-tonne’ production costs while maintaining or increasing crop yields to maximise revenue must be the number one priority for UK farming businesses if they are to survive and thrive in an increasingly uncertain global market environment post-Brexit.
Farmers from all over the UK attended the Claydon factory and farm at Wickhambrook in West Suffolk, where experts highlighted the issues and demonstrated how this can be achieved using the Opti-Till®system.
A prominent farmer and contractor in York credits Michelin’s CargoXBib High Flotation tyres – which feature Michelin’s patented Ultraflex technology – with vastly improving the efficiency of its operation.
The 650/55 R26.5 tyres will now be fitted to a further two Stewart trailers run by crop farmers Wharram and Kay, following a trial which pitted them against the standard technology CargoXBib 560/60 R22.5 fitments previously favoured. Both ran on similar work but Roger Kay, co-owner of Wharram and Kay, noticed additional benefits with the High Flotation tyres – resulting in a reduced rut depth, greater load-carrying capacity at higher speeds and improved contact with the ground.
A new scheme has recently been launched in Warwickshire, to help tackle thefts of agricultural vehicles in the county.
Stickers with ‘Police – Stop, if moving between 10pm and 5am’ are being made available for farms and agricultural businesses to apply to their vehicles, trailers and other road-going equipment.
If seen on the roads during these hours, police patrols not already engaged on calls will seek to check that their rightful owner is using them.
The initiative is based on a similar scheme, which has been in operation with ‘cash-in-transit’ vans for many years and has been proven to successfully reduce attacks on vehicles from the security trade.
STIHL has launched a website dedicated to potential new dealers, highlighting the manufacturer’s commitment to its retail network and simplifying the application process for new partners.
The new website has been specifically designed to showcase the benefits of becoming a STIHL dealer and offers insight into the tools dealers can access to enhance their business operations. These include:
Dealership development– Installation of a STIHL shop system display, external brand signage and expert merchandising support. This creates visual impact and helps maximise sales opportunities.
UK tractor registrations rose by 10.9% more in April 2018 compared with the same month the previous year, according to the latest figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).
Tractor sales rose from 1,072 in April 2017 to 1,189 in April 2018. However, this is only half the story, as sales during the months of February fell by 5,8% and March by 6.8% when compared with the same months in 2017.
Since the start of the year there has been a 6.8% rise in overall sales. However the underlying trend saw March 2017 enjoy bumper seasonal sales, which really boosted figures, without the corresponding high spot this year.
2018 has so far enjoyed a more steady increase in sales, with 4121 tractors over 50hp being registered during the first four months of the year, an increase of just 25 units over the same period in 2017.
Taking a look back to 2016, the last full year for which full detailed manufacturer sales figures are available (due to EU regulations), the total number of (new) tractors registered for UK road use was 12,025. Just 3,407 of these units had been sold by the end of April, so looking year on year sales have increased during the first four months of the year, in both 2017 and 2018.
Top seller of 2016 was John Deere capturing almost 28% of the UK market, with sales of 3,350 new tractors. New Holland managed a 17.5% market share,equating to 2,110 new tractors, Massey Ferguson were third with 1,391 tractors (11.6%), closely followed by Case IH with 1007 models (8.4%).
Relatively new kid on the block Kubota were fifth with a market share of 7.1% (853 tractors). Interestingly the same manufacturers had similar market shares in 2015, so it will be interesting to see if the top five have changed much in 2017. Unfortunately though, the detailed figures for 2017 will not be published until early 2019.
Caption
UK tractor registrations rose by 10.9% more in April 2018 compared to the previous year, in 2016 John Deere headed the sales leader board, but it won’t be until early 2019 when we know if they have retained their market share.
The Tallis Amos Group (TAG) believes their biggest asset is their people. They are proud of their teams of technicians, after-sales support staff, administrators, sales team and, of course their managers. Every year and on an on going basis, TAG invest heavily in staff training throughout the company.
Most of their service and parts technicians enrol on a highly advanced programme of focused courses, run from the John Deere University, near the John Deere UK headquarters in Nottinghamshire.
Alpego UKare broadening their dealer partner base having added Genesis Distribution, based near Lisburn in Northern Ireland, who officially launched their new brand to customers at the 2018 Balmoral Show this week. “I am impressed with build quality, the professionalism and knowledge of the Alpego team and product availability,” commented Stephen Lewis.
Alpego UKalso welcomed a Norfolk based dealer partner to their growing family. Randell Agriculture Ltd, which has branches near Norwich and Dereham have added the Alpego range of products to the Vaderstad brand that they already promote to their customer base.
The German agricultural technology specialist Lemken reports achieving Group sales totalling EUR360 million in 2017 – an 11% increase compared to the previous year. Sales developed especially well in Eastern Europe. The current export share is 77%.
Almost all countries experienced an upturn. Cereal and milk prices have largely recovered, creating an upbeat investment mood among farmers. Demand from Russia and Ukraine was particularly high.
Sales figures also increased by double digits in the overseas markets of Canada and the USA. Lemken also achieved excellent sales results in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland and further expanded its already solid business in the United Kingdom.
The British firm will bring its world record breaking Dieselmax car, which set a new diesel land speed record of 350.092mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, USA in 2006 – powered by two mighty JCB engines.
A Williams Martini Racing wrapped 3CX Compact backhoe loader will also be present, designed in conjunction with the iconic British F1 Team and produced in its race bays. The innovative machine delivers big machine performance for the most confined job sites.
Designed to meet the needs of modern construction purpose, it is the perfect machine for road resurfacers and repair contractors, utilities, groundworkers and municipalities working in congested urban construction projects.
Business management software supplier to agricultural, groundcare, and construction dealers, Ibcos Computers Ltd., have announced their new Gold Service application for tablets and smartphones.
Designed to help dealers improve their workshop productivity, cut down on equipment costs and bolster their bottom line, Ibcos created the app to help technicians effectively manage and perform daily tasks without having to constantly run back to a computer terminal or deal with copious amounts of paperwork.
The Early Release of the application is available and users have the ability to scan and upload workshop barcode data via Wi-Fi and Mobile Networks using either a smartphone or a tablet, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain a regular scanner.
After a slow, cold start at the Royal Bath and West Showground on Thursday 10th May, the Grassland UK forage demonstration basked in sunshine and a strong turnout of keen visitors enjoyed a great day watching the latest forage tech in action.
Agri Machinery Trade News wants to hear your feedback on what worked well and how the demonstration can be improved.
A special trade only report will be published on Sunday 20th May, with a selection of views from our readers featured (please note: no names will be published).
We look forward to hearing from you and what you have to say.
Slight drizzle in the morning followed by near perfect weather later in the day led to an influx of afternoon visitors at this years Grassland UK.
Parking was not a problem, as the demonstration was held on a working farm adjacent to the Royal Bath and West Showground where well-stewarded car parks offered easy access to the 100-acre site.
Visitors to the one day triennial event were treated to working and static demonstrations of millions of pounds worth of machinery, alongside grass plots, clamp demonstrations, technical advice, seminars and trade stands covering every aspect of forage production.
Harrogate based Stray FM Radio station held their ‘Local Hero Awards’ ceremony and celebration at Rudding Park on Wednesday 9th May 2018. Hosted by Stray FM presenters Nick Hancock and Will Smith the award for’Employer of the Year’ was presented to Geoff Brown, Managing Director of Ripon Farm Services.
Geoff was described by his staff as wanting to build a company that delivers first class service, no matter the cost, and is often seen traveling around the countryside of North Yorkshire delivering parts to keep the wheels of the farming community turning, very much hands on in his role’.
A popular and well-liked man, Geoff doesn’t switch off, his phone is always at his side ready to find solutions to problems and help those who are struggling – even those outside of the agricultural industry.
Over the last 36 years Geoff and his team have built up Ripon Farm Services into a leading agricultural dealership operating eight branches across the North of England
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Leading Dutch agricultural machinery manufacturer Vervaet has purchased a 50% share of UK-importer J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd. This strengthens the 25-year relationship between the two family- run companies.
With no members of the Riley family currently in a position to continue the business, the move is deemed by both companies as the logical course of action in preparation for the future.
Headed by managing director Jeremy Riley, J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd was established in 1994. Highly successful, the company currently has 14 employees based at its purpose-built premises at Attlebridge in Norfolk.
OPICO has appointed Colin Grigor as a new Territory Manager to cover Northern England and Southern Scotland.
Colin will add further strength to the sales team to reflect the company’s increasing customer base and portfolio of products, taking responsibility for all the OPICO, SKY, HE-VA, Strautmann and Maschio Gaspardo brands in this area.
Commenting, Charles Bedforth, OPICO UK Sales Manager said, ‘I am delighted to have taken on such a talented individual. Colin comes from a farming background and joins OPICO with a wealth of experience gained most recently at Ancroft Tractors and prior to that at Henderson Grass Machinery.’
Cornwall-based Geoffrey Harris Tyres has become the latest independent tyre dealer to join BFGoodrich’s UK Off-Road Centre network.
The Liskeard retailer is already reaping the benefits of the partnership, bolstering the centre’s all-terrain expertise and its widespread reputation for being the go-to place for 4×4 tyres across Cornwall and Devon.
With a vast base of agricultural customers, Geoffrey Harris Tyres serves farmers running 4x4s both in the field and on the road. Joining forces with BFGoodrich serves to galvanise their leading position in the market.
Michael Harris, Managing Director at Geoffrey Harris Tyres, says: “Being part of the BFGoodrich Off-Road Centre network is a massive coup for us. We’re very loyal to the brand because we truly believe it’s the best.
Getting a tow bar and trailer lined up can be one of the most frustrating aspects of towing with a van, estate car or 4×4 – but Spaldings has a solution in a range of Quick Hitch couplings that make it much less of a hit-and-miss affair.
The Quick Hitch bolts to the back of the vehicle as usual but has a flared steel back plate that positions the trailer coupling directly over the towing ball.
The vehicle can be reversed up to a trailer until the drawbar is caught by the hitch and nudged into position over the last few centimetres; it’s then just a matter of lowering the drawbar, connecting the lighting cable and the job’s done!
Updates to the St. Valentin-produced Maxxum, Puma and Optum tractors, plus the Farmlift telescopic loader range, have been the focus of one of the largest events ever organised for Case IH dealer sales staff from the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region and beyond, during an intensive training course held at a central European location.
Hosted on a large farm near Bratislava, Slovakia, the training saw groups of dealers attend over a ten-week period. Each participant was able to benefit from teaching time in small groups to learn the theory behind the latest Case IH product developments, while the 500ha site meant there was also sufficient space for attendees to spend as much practical time as possible operating the machines present.
Kioti UK has appointed Richard Green as area sales manager for Scotland and Northern England.
Richard is based in central Scotland and brings with him a large amount of knowledge and experience of compact tractors and the groundcare industry.
He also has the advantage of already being familiar with the Kioti range of products having sold them successfully in his previous employment. Richard also has experience in the Agricultural and Construction industries.
Michelin Tyre plc has announced key appointments to lead its B2B division covering the agricultural, bus/coach, earthmover, truck and van sectors. This sees Chris Smith, 34, appointed Sales Director B2B; and Helen Ratcliff, 38, named as Marketing Director – both with responsibility for Ireland and the UK.
In his new role Smith will be responsible for all sales operations across Michelin’s B2B divisions, using his extensive experience with commercial vehicles to leverage maximum opportunities for Michelin in other industries including agriculture and earthmoving. He began his career at Michelin in 2007, and most recently held the position of Truck & Bus Marketing Director – North Europe.
Ratcliff’s new role is all-encompassing, covering the B2B sectors, as well as Michelin’s B2C product ranges for the passenger car, 4×4, cycling and motorcycle ranges. Ratcliff was previously Marketing Director at Michelin for the passenger car, 4×4 and van ranges.
A major new agricultural dealership – which will give Writtle University College students access to the latest machinery and technology as well as insight into a successful land-based business – is taking shape.
R W Crawfords Agricultural Machinery Ltd are investing £3m in the facility, which includes sales, a parts store and a workshop, with building on track for the depot to open by June 2018.
Crawfords purchased land along Fox Burrows Lane, Writtle, from the University College to build the facility, which will also include a student training room.
The partnership will see Crawfords offer Writtle’s Further Education (college-level) and Higher Education (university-level) Agriculture students a range of opportunities to enhance and enrich their studies.
One of the west of England’s largest agricultural machinery dealership’s, MORRIS CORFIELD, has opened a new purpose-built branch near Hereford.
The family owned business is a main agent for CLAAS, and one of their longest established dealerships having sold their first CLAAS machine, a trailed SUPER 500 combine, in 1963. Based at Broseley in Shropshire, MORRIS CORFIELD employs over 60 people working out of four branches serving the west of England and Welsh borders.
The new MORRIS CORFIELD Hereford branch at Ocle Pychard is on a prominent site alongside the main A465 Bromyard to Hereford road. The new development makes this new branch one of the most modern dealerships in the region and has been built to replace MORRIS CORFIELD’s far smaller Docklow premises near Bromyard, which the company had outgrown.
The skills and hard work of a machinery sales manager in Northern Ireland have been recognised with an agricultural trade award.
Laurence McMullan, who works at H Fulton Tractors in Dungiven near Derry, received the Sales Manager of the Year trophy in the Excellence Awards organised by Agri Machinery Trade News, a news and information website for the agricultural equipment industry.
Laurence was praised for “grabbing hold of sales management at the company and taking organisation and professionalism to the next level.”
One awards voter commented: “The team at H Fulton Tractors is continually growing, and Laurence’s impact can be seen not only in sales but also in the marketing, parts and service departments too.”
Howard Fulton’s business trades in pre-owned tractors and supplies new equipment, including Schäffer loaders, Spearhead vegetation control machinery and Agri-Spread lime and fertiliser spreaders. The company has been a dealership for new McCormick tractors in selected counties across the north of Ireland since 2016.
After the awards day, where Laurence received his trophy from Darren Atherton of sponsor Bradshaw Bennett Agri Dealer Insurance, Howard said that everyone in the company is delighted with Laurence’s success.
“He puts a lot of time and effort into his work and, being a progressive company, this award shows that the hard work of all of the team is certainly paying off and is being noted by those who voted for Laurence.”
An opportunity to expand with more staff and a larger trading area has been grasped by an agricultural machinery dealership by taking on sales, parts and service support for McCormick tractors.
The family-owned business David Eaton Tractors Ltd took on the McCormick franchise at the beginning of April and immediately secured two orders from a new customer running a large dairy unit.
Managing director David Eaton said: “Although we’ve been successful with the brand we’ve supplied for the past 17 years, switching to McCormick gives us access to a much wider and more varied product range with more opportunities to meet the needs of local farmers and contractors.
“We can also trade across a larger territory with McCormick, so together with an expanded team of technicians in the workshop and for on-farm servicing and repairs we can aim to meet our goal of steadily expanding the business to secure its future and jobs.”
David Eaton Tractors now represents the 43hp to 310hp McCormick tractor range from its base at Fradswell near Stafford throughout a territory extending from Warrington and Sheffield, bordering existing McCormick dealers J Charnley & Sons and N&S Moorhouse, southwards to Burton upon Trent, Cannock and Telford, adjoining existing dealer HJR Agri to the west.
The company will supply new and pre-owned tractors, and provide parts and service back-up for the McCormick tractors supplied by the company and for the many McCormick machines already used in the area.
Mark Eaton, who heads sales, points out that although the dealership has not been directly involved with McCormick previously, salesman Mark Martin and service engineer Tom Whiston have past experience of McCormick products when they were built at Doncaster.
Their experience and product knowledge, combined with that of new recruit, workshop technician Simon Fletcher, puts the business in the perfect position for its new franchise. He is working alongside service manager John Eaton as part of the expanded five-man service team.
“Simon is a real McCormick enthusiast who knows the current product inside out, so we have the knowledge and experience to properly support McCormick users from day one,” says Mark Eaton. “At the same time, we retain all the skills, knowledge and equipment needed to continue providing parts and service to users of the tractors we supplied previously, pretty much as if nothing has changed.”
At McCormick national distributor AgriArgo UK & Ireland, Ray Spinks, general manager and sales director, is delighted to welcome David Eaton, his sons Mark and John, and the rest of the dealership team to the McCormick family.
“With good management and customer service given the number one priority, David Eaton Tractors is the calibre of dealer we’re keen to appoint in many parts of the country to increase coverage of McCormick sales and service,” he says.
“The McCormick range is the best it’s ever been, with tractors from compacts through mid-range machines for livestock and mixed farming, to tractors with all the power and features that anyone could want for high productivity arable farming.”
Claydon Yield-o-Meter Ltd, also known as Claydon Drills, is a family owned company with its primary market mainly in the EU but with exciting opportunities to forge business relationships into the Americas and Australasia. We research, design, develop, manufacture and sell agricultural machinery and equipment directly to the end user or through distribution networks by a highly experienced and professional team.
Due to business expansion, we are now seeking to fill the following role:
Product Support Specialist
As an innovative UK Seeding System Manufacturer, the development of the Opti-Till® crop establishment system has led to record growth over the last 16 years.
To support and help to expand our export markets, we are now seeking a Product Support Specialist. To be successful in this role, you will have a formal agricultural qualification with a practical background, and a can-do attitude. A willingness to travel (national and international) is a prerequisite for this role as are excellent communication skills and an outgoing personality. Fluency in foreign languages would be advantageous.
Being based in a rural location, transport will be required. Onsite parking is available.
A competitive and attractive remuneration package is on offer for this position.
If you are interested in joining an enthusiastic and professional team in this role, please send in your cv along with a cover letter explaining why believe you are suitable to:
The HR Department
Claydon Yield-o-Meter Ltd.,
Bunters Road,
Wickhambrook, Newmarket, Suffolk.
CB8 8XY
Closing Date: 11 May 2018
Claydon Yield-o-Meter Ltd, also known as Claydon Drills, is a family owned company with its primary market mainly in the EU but with exciting opportunities to forge business relationships into the Americas and Australasia. We research, design, develop, manufacture and sell agricultural machinery and equipment directly to the end user or through distribution networks by a highly experienced and professional team.
Due to business expansion, we are now seeking to fill the following role:
UK Sales Manager
In line with our strategic growth plans, we now seek a highly professional and target driven UK Sales Manager with a proven history of successfully delivering large volume sales and managing machinery dealers in the UK Agricultural Sector.
To be successful, you will have a strong agricultural and sales management background at both retail and wholesale level with the ability to motivate your sales team in this hands-on role with excellent communication skills. You will be highly experienced with an integrated systems sales approach. Hardworking, and a motivated self-starter, you will have a proactive, flexible, friendly and approachable manner. The ability to multi-task and exhibit a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in your work is key. High level presentation skills are essential.
The role will be primarily office-based although national and international travel may be required from time to time, and encompasses managing all aspects of UK sales, the sales team and our dealer network.
Being based in a rural location, transport will be required. Onsite parking is available.
A competitive and attractive remuneration package is on offer for this position.
If you are interested in joining an enthusiastic and professional team in this role, please send in your cv along with a cover letter explaining why believe you are suitable to:
The HR Department
Claydon Yield-o-Meter Ltd.,
Bunters Road,
Wickhambrook, Newmarket, Suffolk.
CB8 8XY
Closing Date: 11 May 2018
Kubota UK has announced the appointment of leading European service-logistics specialist, Carousel, as its sole distribution partner, fulfilling all spare part requirements for its extensive dealer network, as well as optimising the manufacturer’s logistics services in support of enhanced customer satisfaction and long-term business growth.
Effective immediately, Carousel will oversee all Kubota UK and European dealer deliveries, collections and returns. Kubota’s network currently consists of more than 200 dealers across Europe, including key service areas in the UK, Ireland, France and Germany.
As part of the solution deployment, Carousel will work in collaboration with Kubota’s UK warehouse partner Unipart Logistics, operating from its central hub in Birmingham. Kubota’s dealer network will benefit from an enhanced delivery service for replacement parts, a self-service booking portal, as well as greater visibility over shipments, all of which will significantly improve customer experience.
The growing role that agricultural contractors now play within the farming sector – with the now diverse machinery needs of the farming community generally – will be reflected in the emphasis that McHale Plant Sales will place on their portfolio of machinery and materials handling equipment at the forthcoming Grass and Muck machinery show taking place at Gurteen Agricultural College next month.
Occupying pole position on their stand will be one of the new arrivals from the expanding Komatsu range, plus a number of units from the highly versatile Merlo telehandler range.
From Komatsu, pride of place will go to the very latest WA320-8 wheel loader which will be exhibiting to farmers here in Ireland for the first time.
