BAGMA NEWS
BULLETIN BOARD
‘TRUE GENT’ PASSES ON
Tony Cundall, the first Campey product specialist to cover Manchester, Wirral, Cheshire and Staffordshire, has died at the age of 75. Before retiring in 2011, Tony gave up working in the field and was general manager in-house. Campey Turf Care Systems says “he became known throughout the industry as a true gentleman on every level”. Richard Campey said: “Our thoughts are with Tony’s wife Dinah and Tony’s family at this sad time. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and worked with him.”
TRACTOR SALES DROP
Disruptions to global supply chains are still affecting tractor sales. In June, 938 machines were registered – 36.4% lower than the unusually high June 2021 figure. The extended Bank Holiday weekend at the start of the month may also have had some impact, according to the AEA’s Stephen Howarth. The total number of machines registered during the first half of the year reached 6,420. That is 6.2% fewer than in January to June 2021, despite May 2022 having the highest May total since 2012 at 1,283 machines. Registrations for the year to date are 6% above the five-year average.
OVERTON’S NEW AREA SALES MANAGER
Lincoln-based Overton (UK) has appointed Steve Barnfather to its sales team. Responsible for the North of England and Scotland, Steve brings a wealth of experience to the company with over 25 years working in the groundcare industry. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working in this industry, it is a passion of mine. When the opportunity came along to join Overton (UK) I knew it was a great move for me. The team have been so welcoming and the product range is impressive,” he said.
2
Rea Valley Tractors takes charge ‘of our own destiny’ REA VALLEY TR ACTORS, the WestMidlands and mid-Wales farm machinery business, will become a New Holland dealer from November 1, while continuing to supply products from JCB, Kuhn and other leading manufacturers. The appointment as a New Holland dealer for agricultural tractors and harvest machinery throughout Shropshire, part of Staffordshire, Cheshire, part of Lancashire, mid and North Wales, marks a significant change for Rea Valley Tractors, which currently operates four branches and employs 130 staff. Steve Petford, managing director, said: “In discussions concerning the long-term development of the company, the options presented by our current tractor supplier (John Deere) effectively involved either down-sizing or selling the business, scenarios that were emphatically opposed by RVT’s chairman and main shareholder Simon Clarke, not least because of the impact on jobs. “Instead, we have taken an alternative route, taking charge of our own destiny by successfully negotiating to take on the New Holland territory for tractors and harvest machinery across an area that is larger than the one we have today, and also an extended JCB territory that will include Cheshire from 1st January 2023.” RVT will continue to support customers with
repairs, routine servicing and parts for the John Deere products they have been selling, and are convinced that the potent combination of New Holland, JCB and Kuhn, together with Bailey, Grimme, Joskin, Ag Leader and other important franchises, will ensure a long-term success. RVT has depots at Shrewsbury and Newport in Shropshire, Welshpool in Powys, and Sudbury in Derbyshire, with new branch locations to be announced in due course. The company has applied for planning permission to substantially enhance the Shrewsbury depot with new buildings that will double the amount of workshop space and improve working conditions, provide a technical training facility and covered storage for used machinery. There are also plans to significantly expand the workshop facility at the Sudbury depot, where the focus will be on JCB and Kuhn sales and support, to increase servicing and repairs capacity and improve working conditions. RVT chairman Simon Clarke commented: “This is a new dawn for Rea Valley Tractors. After 38 years, we are really excited by the opportunity not only for our business, but customers alike by supplying and servicing machinery from world-class British manufacturers. Combined with our skilled workforce, knowledge of the area and drive to move our business forward, the future is tremendously exciting.
BAGMA Ex-President Burlingham passes away DAVID BURLINGHAM, A former BAGMA National President from 1965 to 1966 and founding chairman of the BAGMA Four Counties Region in 1966/67, has passed away aged 92. David was elected an Honorary Life Vice President of BAGMA in 1983 having inspired many changes in the organisation and support for dealers, especially in training and education. He was chairman of the association’s training and education group for nearly ten years. The Burlingham family has a long tradition of involvement with BAGMA over the years with Richard Henry Burlingham being National President from 1947 to 1949 and John Burlingham being chair of the BAGMA Garden Machinery Association and also working for the British Hardware Federation as the sales and marketing director before it became
part of BIRA (BAGMA’s previous owner). H Burlingham and Co. was founded in 1804 as agricultural engineers in the Vale of Evesham. David joined the business as a trainee engineer and was sent to Ransomes, Simms and Jefferies to learn his craft. At the age of 18 he became workshop manager and followed a steep learning curve, as this was the time when tractors were taking over from horses. BAGMA’s director, Keith Christian, paid this tribute to him: “David and his family’s contribution to our industry has shaped the history of what is now BAGMA.” Before he died, David put together a history of his working and family life for his family and BAGMA. In our next edition we will follow David’s career and his contribution to our dealer trade association. BAGMA BULLETIN JULY-AUGUST 2022
