AgriArgo Appoint National Sales Director

/in , /by

AgriArgo Appoint National Sales Director: Farm and groundscare tractor distributor AgriArgo UK & Ireland has expanded its management team with the new appointment of Ben Agar as Sales Director.

He joins the company based in Harworth, South Yorkshire from the UK office of a French manufacturer of light construction machinery. But before that he worked for 20 years at a global farm equipment company, half of which was spent in area sales and national marketing roles within the UK.

AgriArgo Appoint National Sales Director

Ray Spinks, AgriArgo managing director, said: “Ben comes to us with a great deal of valuable experience working across multiple farm equipment brands. He brings a fresh pair of eyes to the challenges we face in selling our products in an intensely competitive market.”

AgriArgo is the distributor of Landini and McCormick farm tractors in the United Kingdom and Ireland, supplying the machines to farmers, contractors and other rural enterprises through a network of independent local dealers.

The company’s dealers also handle Valpadana turf and groundscare four-wheel drive tractors, with all products supported by a technical services team and a parts operation that holds several million pounds worth of replacement parts to support dealers’ own stock.

Ben Agar said of his appointment: “Although I enjoyed the stimulus of working in the construction equipment market, which was new territory for me, my heart remains in agriculture and I’m genuinely excited at getting stuck into the farm machinery scene once more.

“My impression is that today’s modern Landini and McCormick tractors are underestimated in some respects; their features, performance, build quality and reliability are up there with the best, so I’m looking forward to working with AgriArgo’s dealers and area sales managers to bring these very positive characteristics to the attention of end users.”

When not encouraging farmers to get more Landini, McCormick and Valpadana tractors working on British and Irish farms, Ben enjoys time at home in Kenilworth, Warwickshire with his wife and two children, and in his role as an inspector with the Special Constabulary providing support to the local Roads Policing team.

Ariens Company Announces Changes

/in , /by

Ariens Company Announces Changes: Ariens Company has confirmed a number of organizational changes to the international business organization, aimed at putting more focus on the specific needs of the international market in the long-term.

“As we approach a new fiscal year, we have an opportunity to assess our business structure and make adjustments as part of our continuous improvement process,” says Larry Weyers, President, Ariens Power Equipment from their Brillion, Wisconsin HQ. “Ultimately we want to give the team control to develop the right products, for the right market, at the right time.”

Ariens Company Announces Changes

In the United Kingdom, Darren Spencer has been promoted to Vice President – EMEA and Asia. Spencer will have oversight and responsibility for all operations and business within Ariens UK and Ariens Scandinavia as well as developing business within Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Spencer has been with Ariens Company (through the Countax acquisition) since 1990 and has held various positions within the company.  He started as a Sales Assistant, and his career path has included roles as Operations Director, Director of Aftermarket and Distribution, General Manager for Australia and most recently as European Managing Director.

The company is also reorganizing its international business to have solid line reporting relationships directly to the businesses which they support. Accordingly, this will see the leaders in areas such as the Supply Chain, HR, Operations, Sales and Marketing report directly to Spencer.

Additionally, John Horn has decided to announce his retirement at the end of the calendar year.  During this transition, John will still partner with the Ariens UK and Ariens Scandinavia team and lead sales efforts. “We congratulate John on his upcoming retirement,” says Weyers, “and thank him for his dedication and years of service with Ariens Company.”

In the Americas, Ron Marcellus has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales – Americas.  In this expanded role, Marcellus will assume responsibility for growing and managing sales for North America, Central America, and South America.

“I am confident that these organizational changes and promotions will continue to position us for global success for the next fiscal year and beyond,” says Weyers.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

ISEKI To Sponsor Sam Forgan

/in , , /by

ISEKI To Sponsor Sam Forgan: ISEKI UK today announced that it has signed a one-year deal to sponsor local professional golfer Sam Forgan.

Sam, who is based at the well-respected Stowmarket Golf Club in Suffolk, is currently competing on the Euro-Pro tour having narrowly missed out on getting his card for the Challenge Tour last year.

ISEKI To Sponsor Sam Forgan

“Hopefully this sponsorship will give me more opportunities and a better chance of getting on the Challenge Tour this coming year” said Sam, commenting on the recent announcement “Working with ISEKI will also be a great learning experience for me and will give me an understanding of the supply side of the golf industry. I am really looking forward to the experience”

David Withers, Managing Director of ISEKI UK, pictured here with Sam was equally excited about the new relationship. “I had the pleasure of meeting Sam and hearing more about his ambitions for the future and we are delighted to be able to help in this way” said Withers, adding “whilst this is good for Sam it is also good for us, Sam travels all-round the country playing golf and will be promoting our wonderful products everywhere he goes……also hoping he might give me a few pointers to improve my swing!!”

For more information, visit: www.iseki.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

New MD For Kubota

New MD For Kubota

/in , , /by

New MD For Kubota: Kubota Holdings Europe is pleased to announce the appointment of David Hart as Managing Director of Kubota (U.K.) Ltd.

With over 28 years of leadership experience, David Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the agricultural and construction industries. After graduating with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, David started his career in Agricultural Construction & Grounds Care Equipment at Ben Burgess & Co. In 1990 he joined John Deere and after several sales and marketing roles, became the Division Manager for Commercial and Consumer Equipment in 2004, managing both sales and marketing for turf and utility equipment (homeowner, commercial and golf). David built a strong commercial track record in sales and marketing for the UK and Ireland and in 2011 was appointed Regional Leader for Strategic and Key Account Management, responsible for John Deere’s agricultural and non-agricultural strategic and key account business in Europe, Near Middle East, North Africa and CIS. During this time he was also a member of the John Deere Ag & Turf Regional Leadership Team.

New MD For Kubota

Dai Watanabe, President & CEO of Kubota in Europe, states: “We are very proud of the fact that we have a leading market position in the UK & Ireland with our current product portfolio. Our ambitions reach even further than that. With David on board we have a leader that can support that ambition by bringing his extensive experience and knowledge to identify and exceed our dealers and customers’ needs and requirements.”

On his appointment, Hart said: “Kubota has a deserved reputation as market leader in many areas. We have a big opportunity to grow further and continue to diversify into new sectors, bringing our strong business values and quality delivery to match the demands and rightly high expectations of our dealers and end user clients. Kubota’s brand, values and proven quality are facets I have respected as a competitor over many years, and I am excited to be part of the team that will take these to the next level.”

For more information on Kubota UK visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Reesink Appoints Mike Turnbull

/in , , /by

Reesink Appoints Mike Turnbull: Mike Turnbull has taken the role of the recently retired Nigel Lovatt and assumes responsibility for Reesink customers, the dealer network and retail partners located from the north east to the north west of England, or as Mike refers to it “from the Wash to the Wirral”.

Mike is no stranger to the geographical area spanning from Nottingham to North Wales, having covered the same in his 20-year role with Toro Spellbrook.

Reesink Appoints Mike Turnbull

Mike says: “I was over the moon to accept this role. It is a great position, a great area and I am stepping into the role of a great colleague. Nigel did some fantastic work here and I am really looking forward to continuing and adding to that.”

As we all know this is an area that is home to some of the best and most high-profile golfing and sporting venues in the country, as well as many councils, local authorities and landscapers perfect for the comprehensive grounds machinery range from Toro and Reesink. Mike’s role will focus on both, and will see him working closely with Jeff Anguige, national sales manager.

Mike continues: “I know this area well as it’s one I used to cover in my position working with Toro for Spellbrook, so to some I will be a familiar face. My background and experience with Toro means I bring with me a lot of knowledge and expertise of the brand, and my two years working with Reesink puts me in good stead too.”

Jeff Anguige, national sales manager at Reesink Turfcare, agrees: “Mike was not only the logical choice for the position, he was also the best. He understands the Toro brand and knows how Reesink works as a company. He has big shoes to fill left by Nigel, but there’s no question he will carry on the good work.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.