Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Iseki Tractors ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ at Olympia Horse Show

January 4, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Ransomes Jacobsen, the European distributors of Iseki tractors and mowers, recently loaned several Iseki tractors to the Olympia Horse show for the second year running. The show was held at The Grand Hall in Hammersmith, London. The tractors on loan included the new TLE3400 with loader attachment, a TH4335, a TG6370 IQ, and both the […]

Parting thoughts from David Withers

December 22, 2016/in Press Release/by Admin

Following his recent departure from the position of President of Jacobsen, David Withers offers some final thoughts. I think you probably know my history that I joined Jacobsen in the UK in 1992 as a Regional Sales manager, and then had a variety of increasingly senior roles within the organization became Managing Director of Ransomes […]

Iseki Tractors ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ at Olympia Horse Show

January 4, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Parting thoughts from David Withers

December 22, 2016/in Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Iseki Tractors ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ at Olympia Horse Show

January 4, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

The tractors on loan included the new TLE3400 with loader attachment, a TH4335, a TG6370 IQ, and both the TG6490 HST and the TG6490 IQ variants.

Tim Henson is the backstage manager at the London International Horse Show. He is responsible for the organisation and management of all activities and logistics before the show is unveiled to the public. Commenting on the build-up to the show, Tim said:
“We are extremely grateful to Ransomes Jacobsen for loaning us the Iseki tractors. I have worked at the London International Horse Show for 22 years now, and I wish we had these tractors back then!”

The Iseki tractors are used to move all of the equipment, such as the show jumps, in and out of the arena areas. The TLE3400 is Iseki’s new premium economy tractor. It features a three-speed hydrostatic transmission and an impressive lift capacity of 1000 kg, making it suitable for a range of tasks, including lifting and towing.

Commenting on the performance of the tractors, Tim said:
“The machines are very reliable; they have exceeded our expectations and deliver around the clock, which is exactly what we want when we have so much to do in such little time. We have five tractor drivers, and the feedback from all of them has been astoundingly positive. The tractors are extremely user-friendly; the operators haven’t had any issues working out how to use a tractor when jumping from one machine to the other. They are also particularly adept at navigating small spaces in and around the show areas, which of course makes life much easier for us; without doubt, we have saved ourselves a lot of time with these machines.”

John Quinton, U.K. and Ireland Sales Manager at Ransomes Jacobsen, said:
“We are delighted that a range of Iseki tractors have been used throughout the Olympia Horse Show. The TG6 and the TLE series of tractors are already proving very popular in the municipal, grounds maintenance and agricultural markets, and we are very excited to showcase these machines at the Olympia Horse Show each year.”

Parting thoughts from David Withers

December 22, 2016/in Press Release/by Admin

Following his recent departure from the position of President of Jacobsen, David Withers offers some final thoughts.

I think you probably know my history that I joined Jacobsen in the UK in 1992 as a Regional Sales manager, and then had a variety of increasingly senior roles within the organization became Managing Director of Ransomes Jacobsen (the Ipswich UK based subsidiary of Jacobsen) in 2004 a role I held until the move to the President’s job in Charlotte in 2011. Then, as you know earlier this year Textron announced the merger of Jacobsen with Textron Specialized Vehicles. This included moving all activities out of Charlotte and into Augusta.

As such my role would have moved to Augusta and I decided that this was not something that I wanted to do and felt that the timing was right for us to start looking at moving back to the UK. I also think that the merger of the 2 brands will work better if it is truly integrated and I think that integration will be easier and more complete without there being an incumbent President of Jacobsen in the mix.

As regards the future as yet I have no plans, it has been a busy time planning the integration and all my thoughts and energy have been on working to ensure a smooth transition where our customers are only impacted positively. Once I actually leave Jacobsen at the end of the year I will start to look at what opportunities there are and decide what we want to do next. I am hopeful that I can stay in this industry as I have so many friends and relationships that it would seem sad not to continue to build them in the future albeit with another company.

Thinking about the future of Jacobsen in its new home I think there will be opportunities to build on what we have achieved these last years and also to leverage the 2 brands together to win more business. What I mean by that is there will be the ability to leverage the EZGO and Jacobsen brands into the customer base. If a golf course or group are purchasing a lot of Jacobsen equipment but also a golf buggy fleet competitive to EZGO, then maybe in the future it will make sense to buy it all from one company and get additional advantages due to the increased volume of business going to one vendor.

In addition the product line-up has truly been refreshed these last few years and the new products are well set to continue to win more business in the future, I think as well the product plan that is already in place will continue to deliver great “customer delighting” platforms over the next 5 years.

The philosophy that I bought to the role was based on what we referred to as the 3B’s:
Building Relationships with our customers is the most important thing we can do.
We must Build a great machine that makes our customers lives easier.
Backing our products up for the whole life of the machine is key to our customer’s success.

I think that If Jacobsen stays true to these tenets then the company will only continue to grow and succeed as it has these last years and I wish the company and all its wonderful employees and customers every success for the future.

I have loved my 24 years with Jacobsen it has all been an amazing experience and such a privilege to lead this iconic company for the last 5 or so years, so whilst sad to be leaving I am also excited to see what the next chapter in my career may bring.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Iseki Tractors ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ at Olympia Horse Show

Parting thoughts from David Withers

Iseki Tractors ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ at Olympia Horse Show

Parting thoughts from David Withers

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Iseki Tractors ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ at Olympia Horse Show

Parting thoughts from David Withers

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT