LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
Almost 7,800 ATVs delivered in 2008
The number of deliveries of All Terrain Vehicles to dealers recorded by the OPEC ATV/Quad Group decreased by 2% in 2008 to 7,786 units. “The machines covered in this enquiry are those of a type sold mainly into agriculture, and do not cover leisure or sports units,” said AEA Economist Chris Evans.
RASE pulls plug on Royal Show
The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), organisers of the Royal Show, have announced that the 2009 show will be the last, so bringing to a close 160 years of history as the UK’s premier farming showcase. The show had been hit by a number of unavoidable events during the past few years including foot and mouth in 2001, flooding (2007) and bluetongue disease in 2008, but in truth the show had been in jeopardy for almost 20 years, ever since most of the major tractor and machinery manufacturers knocked the Royal off their show schedule.
Dealer award recognises 2008 growth
Jonathan Cole of John Shaw Machinery recently picked up a ‘Sales Achievement’ award, recognising his personal performance promoting and selling the Soil Reliever range of deep aerators in the Sussex area during 2008. The award was presented by David Timms (Sales Manager, JSM Distribution) at John Shaw Machinery’s business premises. David commented, “2008 was another an excellent year with further sales growth across the Soil Reliever range, driven by some excellent performance within our dealer network.
Polaris and Bobcat announce alliance
Polaris has announced a multi-year, strategic partnership with Bobcat Company to ‘share technology, co-develop products and supply highly differentiated work vehicles to a variety of consumers’. A spokesperson said, “This partnership will draw upon the complementary strengths of the two companies to diversify Polaris’ market segments on a global level.”
Grillo go it alone
ITALIAN manufacturer Grillo has decided to set up its own distribution company for the UK, Grillo Agrigarden Ltd. Formerly handled through Trenchex Ltd, Grillo has rented space at the existing Trenchex headquarters at Uttoxeter, and will have Steve Gadsby (pictured left) as its general manager who will run the new operation with John Priestley.
Demolition of JCB factory begins
WORK has started on the demolition of an historic JCB factory in the centre of Uttoxeter – ending manufacturing links stretching back almost 140 years. JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford used a 33 tonne JCB JS330XD tracked excavator to begin the process of tearing down the buildings on the site of the former JCB Heavy Products watched by Uttoxeter Town councillors.
GGM’s expanded premises opened
A new showroom and offices for Kubota tractor and groundcare equipment dealer Gibson's Garden Machinery Ltd (GGM Groundscare) of Colne, Lancashire, has been officially opened by the managing director of Kubota (UK) Ltd, Mr T Omote. Mr Omote was joined at the opening ceremony by Councillor Alan Buck from Pendle Council, which had awarded a grant to GGM so that it could carry out the expansion project.
Etesia sales award for Angus
Etesia’s managing director, Patrick Vives recently made a special trip from the company’s headquarters in France to visit Scotland in order to present Arbroath-based dealer, Angus Chainsaws with an Award. This accolade came as a result of a 2008 international sales incentive scheme set up by Etesia in which Angus Chainsaws was placed amongst the top five world-wide retail outlets for ‘Sales of Bahia ride-on mowers’.
