Comment – Its cold out there

Its interesting to discuss in cold academic terms about the current problems of the international agricultural machinery supply chain, where the news of dealer changes or distributor problems are just names and places far from home.

But this week, when my local CaseIH dealer announced that they were closing their doors for the final time on Friday, it struck home. This is a business which has existed ‘forever’ in my life, with childhood trips across the road from Kendal Auction with my dad, to gaze in awe at brand new 955xl’s and Britains model tractors. The people and machines are forever etched in my and countless others childhood and now adult memories and lives. I remember the stand at ‘Kendal’ show, the brochures (which I wish I had kept).. and that gold tractor, and the silver special too..

My point is that its easy to be a commentator when the redundancies, and unwanted change is elsewhere, and happening to someone you don’t know, but this is getting closer to home.Whilst I have no doubt that many industry pundits will talk about economic cycles, surplus capacity and stock valuations, the reality is that this affects flesh and blood. Its been a sad week.

Having reviewed the accounts of several large regional dealer business’s, with significant multi million turnovers, their profits were c1% of turnover. and that was last year.. What will this years figures hold?

I’m sorry to be so cheerful, but its difficult out there.

Have a good week and look after one another.

Andy