2009 DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Specialist dealers honoured in awards ceremony
The 2009 Dealer of the Year Awards, organised by Service Dealer, and sponsored by insurance specialists, Lucas Fettes & Partners and AXA Insurance plc, took place at an Awards ceremony & dinner held at Savill Court Hotel, Windsor, on September 8th 2009. The winning companies are firstly nominated by manufacturers and suppliers and the final shortlist then assessed by an independent panel. Service Dealer Editor, Chris Biddle and representatives from Lucas Fettes and AXA presented the awards. The winners were:
Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year
Russells (Kirbymoorside) Ltd, Malton and branches
Paul Russell (right) and Steve Ridley (left) with Phil Worthington, sales and marketing director of Lucas Fettes and Partners
Russells Agriculture, the Malton-based farm machinery dealership with branches across North Yorkshire, was named 2009 Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year. Founded in 1921, Russells are the New Holland dealers for large parts of the North West and employ 80 staff spread across five branches. The company also operates construction and groundscare divisions.
Paul Russell, managing director of Russells said, “This Award is a recognition of the effort of our staff who are dedicated in their efforts to provide the highest possible level of customer service”
The other finalists in the category were G & J Peck, Ely; P Tuckwell Ltd, Cambridgshire and R Hunt Ltd, Hampshire.
Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year
Sims Garden Machinery, Stratford Upon Avon
Barry Sims (left) and David Smith (right) with Alan Brett of AXA Insurance
Sims Garden Machinery, who last year opened a new state-of-the art showroom at The Waterways, Stratford-upon-Avon, was named 2009 Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year. Founded over 100 years ago, Sims are one of the oldest garden machinery dealers in the country, and from the company’s origins in agriculture, have established themselves as a specialist in most leading brands of garden machinery.
David Smith, sales manager of Sims Garden Machinery said “This Award is a tribute to all those who help create our new premises, and to our staff for consistently providing the highest level of customer support and service”
The other finalists in the category were Portreath Garden Machinery, Cornwall; Marshall’s Garden Machinery, Perth and G-Mech Ltd, Taunton.
Professional Turfcare Machinery Dealer of the Year
George Browns, Leighton Buzzard and branches
Steve Lee (right) and Darren Burr with Brett Sainty, md of Lucas Fettes (Schemes) Ltd
George Browns, the Leighton Buzzard-based grass machinery dealership with branches across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, was named 2009 Professional Turfcare Dealer of the Year. George Browns is a division of George Brown Implements, founded in 1830 in Leighton Buzzard, manufacturer and seller of agricultural machinery. The groundscare division based at Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard sells Hayter and Kubota machinery alongside a range of other leading brands.
Steve Lee, Browns groundscare manager said “This Award is recognition of the fine efforts of our staff who are dedicated to providing the highest possible level of customer service.”
The other finalists in the category were Ben Burgess, Norwich; P S Marsden Ltd, Nottingham and RT Machinery, Aylesbury.
ATV / Quad Dealer of the Year
Frank Gibson ATV Centre, Yetholm, Roxburghshire
Euan Gibson (left) with Sandy Brownless of Lucas Fettes and Partners and Fiona Veitch
Frank Gibson ATV Centre, the Yetholm-based ATV and quad dealership were named 2009 ATV Dealer of the Year. The company was founded over twenty years ago and today is the Yamaha main dealer for the Borders region – and also sells to customers across the UK.
Euan Gibson said “We are absolutely delighted to receive this Award which has come as a very pleasant surprise and is a wonderful boost to the business”.
The other finalists in the category were Ellis Quads, Cumbria; North Wales ATV Centre and Fieldens Ltd, Suffolk.
Emerging Dealer of the Year
HJR AGRI, Oswestry, Shropshire
Terry Hughes (centre) with Melfyn Jones (left) and Kevin Donoghue (AXAInsurance)
HJR Agri, the Oswestry-based farm machinery dealership was named the 2009 Emerging Dealer of the Year. The company was formed in July 2008 by Terry Hughes, his brother Alan along with Melfyn Jones and Andy Roberts who had all previously worked at the Burgess branch at Oswestry. The company holds the McCormick tractor franchise and also sells other well-known farm machinery brands including Marshall, Strautmann, Reco and Lely.
Receiving the Award, Terry Hughes said “We are absolutely delighted to receive this Award , it has been a hectic and rewarding first year in business and our aim is to go from strength to strength in serving our customers in Shropshire and north central Wales”.
