Hutcheon and Pearce High Performance newsletter V2 Q4 2014

ISSUE: 2

Festive Season Jacqueline Negline-Smyth - Human Resources Manager I would all like to take this opportunity to wish each and every employee and customer a safe and Happy Christmas.

The stores have been busy decorating and getting into the festive season. The displays have certainly enabled many kids and young at heart, to get that very special green toy or merchandise from Santa. The best example this year was in Cowra with Nikita’s efforts.

(Below) The Narrandera Team had a family Christmas Party with their families. Warren Plummer our Narrandera Branch Manager was conned in to playing Santa. Obviously a very Australian Santa at that!

IN THIS ISSUE Festive season & Arron’s message

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New machinery & Sales Conference

2

Sales Representative of the Year

3

Finley’s Long History

4

Safety & Aftermarket Expo in US

5

TECSight’s new Base Station

6-7

Header Drivers Convention

8

Movember celebrities

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Wagga Branch News

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High Performance Academy & HR Mentor 10

Over the Christmas break we will be all operating with skelton staff to enable most employees to have a decent break with family and friends and recharge the batteries for 2015 and still service our customer’s needs.

Harvest efforts & Erinvale Farms

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Employment opportunities & Vale

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Some locations will be closed from lunch over 24th December to Monday 5th January.

Albury- OPEN ex Public Holidays & Saturdays Wagga - Closed 25th to 4th Jan Temora -Closed 25th to 4th Jan Cowra -Closed 25th to 4th Jan Parkes -Closed 25th to 4th Jan Condo-Closed 25th to 4th Jan Lake Cargelligo -Closed 25th to 4th Jan Griffith-OPEN ex Public Holidays & Saturdays Narrandera -Closed 25th to 4th Jan Coleambally -Closed 25th,26th, 1st & 2nd Finley - Closed 25th,26th, 27th, 1st & 2nd

The MD’s message Arron Hutcheon - Managing Director

Welcome to our latest edition of HP- High Performance.

Firstly, I want to thank all of our staff for their efforts and dedication over this past harvest.

This season had it’s ups and downs. I am always encouraged to see our staff go to great lengths to support our customers. I have received some great feedback from our customers and I hope we can continue to keep exceeding our customers’ expectations moving forward.

I want to take this opportunity to wish all our staff and customers all the best for Christmas and new year, you all deserve a well-earned break.

I am pleased to announce that Hutcheon and Pearce has been rewarded with John Deere’s Manager’s Club award for the 2nd consecutive year. Manager’s Club is the highest recognition John Deere has for it’s dealers. It is a real honour to be awarded this for the second time. Manager’s Club is awarded to the top four highest performing dealers in Australia and New Zealand.

Finally, I wanted to thank all of our customers for their business in 2014, and we look forward to working with you in 2015.

Hutcheon & Pearce - High Performance

(Above) Nikita Beatty in Cowra has diligently spent countless hours redecorating the front showroom and the tree looks great..

Anniversary milestones this quarter 25 years Lisa Schulz - Temora Parts Manager 10 Years Leanne Hedrick - Albury Cleaner 5 Years Dianne Bell-Smith - Albury Branch Admin Neville Magill - Finley Workshop Assistant Shaun Braybon - Finley Service Technician

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Customer Cotton Tour Ian Robertson - Sales Representative Griffith

During the Sales Meeting in December the Teams had the great opportunity to visit Peter and Dallas Stott’s operation in Whitton. Peter Stott along with son, Dallas, and son in law, Andrew shared their story with their passion and forward thinking.

The Stott’s key to their success, similar to us at H&P is adapting to change and embracing new technology and ideas.

4WDs

FOR SALE

2.9% finance to approve purchasers, conditions apply John Deere 9320 4WD

Tractor, 2006 model, 375hp 12.5L engine, PowerSync 24F/6R transmission, 620/70R42 duals (brand new front/ rear 60%), 4 rear remotes, heavy duty gudgeon bearing, greasable steering cylinders, full weight package. Broadacre tractor, has always been shedded. Comes with a complete GreenStar SF1 system.

$132,000 inc GST

We learnt about bankless channel design, beds in bays advantages, automated water stops and watering heights. The Stott operation utilises a variety of John Deere machinery that have contributed greatly to their efficiencies, for example the JD7760 for cotton and the JD4940 sprayer.

John Deere 9420 425HP

With Triple 20.8R-42 (20%) 7055 Hrs, 24 speed quad box with dif lock, De-Accelerator, AMS Harness and receiver bracket ftted, front & rear inner wheel weights,4 rear remotes Plus Air cart hydraulic fttings.

$110,000 inc GST

John Deere 9430

Scraper spec tractor. 710/70R42 Duals, powershift transmission, engine rebuild just completed, 6670 hours, tidy tractor. Autotrac Ready.

$129,525 inc GST

(Above) The Stotts talk to the team and (below) Cameron Williams takes Peter and Bill through the complexities of cotton preparation that vastly differs from cereal crops.

Mobile:

0400 253 161

(Above) 8 Mile Encouragement Award and (below) 8 Mile Achievement Award winners.

(Above) The 8 Mile Eminem Berzerk award is enthusiastically celebrated by Gavin Graetz and Andrew Sands. The genuine ebay purchase of the gold necklace worn by Emnem himself was proudly cosseted by the new owner Gavin.(Left) Jason Rowe and Warren Plummer from Narrandera were presented with the Used Machinery Branch of the Year award by Stuart Robertson.

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Hutcheon & Pearce

Sales Awards of the Year 2014 Jacqueline Negline-Smyth - HR Manager

One of the most rewarding events of the year from a Human Resources perspective is joining in on the end of year Sales meeting and seeing the Sales team in action.

The dynamics of the team are rather ‘dynamic’ to say the least and the learning around the room is collaborative, yet competitive and full of mateship to pull each other along. New initiatives and programs are shared and challenged to find maximum outcomes for each Branch, group of customers and the sales guys themselves.

This year the Salesman of the year was chosen from a number of criteria this year which involved not just sales and market share, but communication, John Deere Financial strike rate, compliance to paperwork and processes.

(Above) Stuart Robertson was presented with a boomerang gift from Stuart’s prior career while at Riverina Machinery in Narrandera.

Not sure it will be appropriate to hang in this day and age though! (Below) Steve Tregenza was presented with a caricature of Ted and Steve in their hay day competing for Sales. Both great examples of our historical memorabilia.

(Above) Andrew Sands presents the big Award to Darren Keene, Parkes and (Below) Steve Ruskins, Temora receives the Rookie of the Year Award.

The last few years have seen the winners hailing from the Southern Branches. This year the challenge was on for the Northern Branches Temora, Cowra, Parkes, Condo, Lake and Griffith determined to remove the trophy from the hands of the Albury, Finley, Narrandera, Collie and Wagga Branches.

Welcome to Wagga Sales

Darren Keane from the Parkes Branch has taken the helm and trophy for 2015.

Well done Darren. There were several very close contenders and it was a fine finish line from both the North and South.

Other great achievements for the year have been recognised especially for some of our newest Sales team members like the Sales Encouragement Award going to Ashley Irvine, Albury, Cameron Williams, Griffith and Tom Climpson, Wagga. Rookie of the Year to Steve Ruskin, Temora which is a well deserved achievement for Steve.

(Above) Sales Encouragement Awards go to Cameron Wiliams, Griffith and (below) Ashley Irvine, Albury.

Tom Climpson,our new Trainee Sales Representative grew up on a small 1000 acre family property South East of Temora. Tom, always had an interest in agriculture from a young age. He completed school at St Anne’s central from kindergarten through till year ten.

Tom went on to complete his HSC at Temora High School finishing in October 2014. Many absent days were spent from school, sowing and harvesting were among the countless excuses frequently used.

The Henty Machinery Field Days efforts were recognised through outstanding efforts to meet our customers needs over the 3 days. Henty HMFD Appreciation Awards were given to Steve Tregenza, Keith Kilo, Graham Woolnough and Peter Connell. HMFD Best on the ground was awarded to Chris Green from Parkes.

The 8 Mile 6 Series sales campaign has seen our customers take up the opportunity of a great valued offer. Several Sales Reps were recognised for their above and beyond efforts to meet their customer 6 Series needs. Keith Kilo, Peter Connell, Graham Woolnough, Ben Silk, Matt French, Chris Green, Craig Litchfield and Darren Keane were awarded with 8 Mile Achievements. 8 Mile Encouragement Awards went to David Kidd, James Kerr, Jason Rowe, Myles O’Kane. The big 8 Mile Berzerk Award went to Gavin Graetz from Wagga. Well deserved Gav!

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(Above) HMFD Best on the Ground went to Chris Green who also was awarded the Used Equipment Sales Program winner.

“The Henty field days brought on the opportunity of employment with Hutcheon & Pearce and I was fortunate enough to be granted with the position. Every customer to date has asked if I have ’The gift of the gab’.

I am yet to discover the answer, but I believe I am in very capable hands with the team at Wagga, and look forward to embark on the opportunities that John Deere has to offer.”

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New Branch with a lot of history Bill Armstrong - General Manager - Southern Branches

One of the newest Branches in the Hutcheon and Pearce Group has actually been around since the mid fifties, and is one of Australia’s longest serving Chamberlain John Deere dealerships.

Started by Jack Armstrong in 1956, Finley Sales and Service was born when Jack decided to bring his welding and repair business into town from Logie Brae, a local community north west of Finley.

The Chamberlain Tractor franchise was secured at that time, along with New Holland hay equipment and Morris Cars.

Jack would sell 9G Chamberlains to the travelling circus and was always paid with a bag of cash and told “no need to count it”.

Off they would go, towing the trailers with gear and elephants on board.

Chamberlains on the bench seat beside Jack, about 30 Mph, wind in the hair and no brakes.

Jack was involved full time in the business until 2007. He has sold 9G tractors with one-way plows to 400Hp Tractors with Auto steer and was involved in establishing our first RTK base station at Berrigan.

Jack is 82 and visits the Branch most days. He loves to see the buzz around the place and is excited to see that “his” Branch is still growing after 58 years and is now involved with such a dynamic group.

Jack was well known for his mechanical ability and his skill with the knotter system on the New Holland Baler range which was much sought after.

As the business grew, so did the number of staff and two moves to larger premises were requires over the ensuing years. Staff numbers had grown to 22 people and the Branch employs around 25 full time staff to this day.

The car side of the business was dropped after a few years to concentrate solely on Farm Equipment, and during the 70’s John Deere purchased Chamberlain Industries and a new era for the company began.

Combine Harvesters have always been a large part of the business and Jack managed to sell both New Holland and John Deere machines side by side for many years. Around 1987 New Holland was purchased by Ford, so it was decided to let the Franchise go to concentrate fully on the John Deere product.

(Above) Jack Armstrong on the job leading the way and (below) is Jack again showing off the new machinery and the service ute c.1960.

I started in the business as an apprentice in 1978, but as I write this I recall that my time with the business started much earlier than that. For example, welding things together that did not need welding together, until they started hiding the welding rods. Of course the mechanics were always handy to fix the mini bikes that would not start and driving the tractors around the yard was a very important task. Totally of no use, but important all the same.

Finley Show was a great time, as I would ride in the old

6M TRACTORS GIVE YOU MORE DRIVE ONE TODAY 4

Hutcheon & Pearce

Safety message Peter Goodsell - Work, Health and Safety Manager

AUSTRALIAN ROAD SAFETY FOUNDATION’S TIPS FOR DRIVING SAFELY THESE HOLIDAYS 1. Plan ahead & be flexible Take a little time to make sure that you and your vehicle are safe before hitting the road. Plan to avoid the worst peak traffic periods when many highways become congested. Allow plenty of time and make the journey part of the holiday. Schedule regular rest stops.

2. Be alert to changes Check relevant State traffic and travel information websites or call the relevant number for real time updates about road changes, delays, closures and incidents.

3. Drive to the conditions “Conditions” doesn’t just refer to the weather. It includes: the road you’re on; weather; traffic conditions; speed (the speed limit and a “safe speed” may differ); you – are you tired or on medication that affects your driving; and your vehicle and load.

4. Watch out for fatigue Long trips are tiring and fatigue can be deadly behind the wheel. Plan to get enough rest beforehand and during the trip so that you drive fresh. Plan in advance where you’ll take breaks on your trip. A large percentage of fatal traffic accidents are single vehicle crashes where fatigue is a contributing factor.

5. Identify the safest routes Some routes are safer than others. You need to know that roadside hazards like trees, ditches, poles and narrow shoulders can increase

risk. Intersections can be dangerous and so can busy roads without a median barrier. Armed with that knowledge you can adjust your driving to the conditions and take extra care on higher risk rural roads.

6. Before you travel Check your vehicle including tyre tread and pressure, lights, brakes, engine oil, coolant and power steering fluid. Also, when packing your vehicle, make sure everything is securely stowed. Even small objects can become dangerous missiles in the event of a sudden stop or crash.

7. Check your trailers and caravans Check all towing attachments and make sure the couplings are compatible. Also remember to check the safety chain, trailer lights, tyres and brakes.

8. Keep your cool Holiday driving can be frustrating with busy roads and potentially slower sightseeing travellers. Be courteous and patient and don’t be provoked by other drivers’ aggressive behaviour.

9. Buckle up & use correctly fitted child restraints Seat beats save lives. Making sure you and everyone in your car are wearing a seat belt is arguably the most significant thing you can do to improve your level of safety whilst driving. Additionally, correctly using and fitting child restraints, booster seats or child safety harnesses can substantially reduce the risk of serious injury or death.

10. Remember you’re sharing the road Traffic volumes increase during the holidays and you’ll be sharing the road with other cars, as well as pedestrians, cyclists, heavy trucks, buses, campervans and vehicles towing boats or caravans. Always keep a safe following distance between yourself and the vehicle in front

Aftermarket News Tom Hensgen - Aftermarket Manager

At the time this article was written, both Tom Hensgen (Group Aftermarket Manager) and Vin Leary (Group Parts Manager) are attending the Region 4 Aftermarket Expo in Phoenix, Arizona.

Prior to the start of the expo we spent some time visiting some dealers in the local area and sharing information. It is amazing what can be grown in relatively infertile soils if you have access to ground water and year round sunlight. It is the last place you would expect to have multiple 5000 head dairy operations, with hay grown in constant rotation all year round.

This years expo runs over 4 days and showcases the latest in Parts and Service solutions that John Deere have to offer. This year the focus is on delivering customer value through Performance, Uptime and Cost of Operation. This year’s seminars offer a balance of product and business development

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topics that all focus on offering increased value to our customer’s business.

The main focus that Vin and I have this year is to evaluate the suitability of these products and offerings for our market and work with John Deere Australia to try and make the relevant products available to you through H&P. Hopefully we will gain future access to these products and services over time.

Over the 3 waves of dealer attendees there was expected to be around 4000 John Deere dealer staff attendees from across the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

We look forward to providing some further updates at the conclusion of the expo and training classes.

Some areas of focus: - expanding our genuine John Deere Battery range and availability - explaining our range of genuine John Deere quality home and workshop toolboxes and tooling - expanding our range of non-genuine and aftermarket parts offerings - delivering a higher level of customer experience - improving our showroom layout and merchandise offerings.

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Pickersgill Base Station - a team effort.

Andrew Watt, Trent Royston & Matt Sanders- TECSight Team

What went into the creation of the Pickersgill Hill RTK Shared Base Station?

The Hutcheon and Pearce Griffith branch sales team identified the need to for a dealer owned RTK Base station to support their customers around the Merriwagga area. With the involvement of TECSight, the RTK shared base station is now a reality!

Matt Sanders from TECSight, who is located in our Griffith branch, surveyed the location and with the TECSight team brain-stormed ideas around the overcoming any foreseeable challenges. Once the foundations we set, the creation of the 36th base station in the Hutcheon and Pearce base station network was ready to take place. The remote location and access was not going to be easy with the main track up to Pickersgill Hill had not seen much maintenance for quite some time, with the steep slope of the main track having wash outs and slight step ups on the loose rocky terrain.

Trent Royston from TECSight, who is located in our Finley branch, was able to provide an idea that may just fit the criteria needed for the erection of the 36th base station within the Hutcheon and Pearce group. With the assistance of Jim Gastin, the welder from the Finley branch, the plan was hatched to create a tower that was purpose built for the Pickersgill Hill that could be packed up into a tandem trailer. This would overcome the greatest challenge allowing the whole setup to be towed up to its peak along the track.

While Jim and the Finley team started the 8 meter high tower construction, the design was tweaked to include the provisions for the much needed solar panels and wiring harness to run inside its core and also the creation for the free standing mount for the most important piece of equipment being the GPS receiver itself.

With the tower under construction, the idea of boring holes into what seemed like a hard rocky outcrop on top of Pickersgill Hill was not a practical choice, the method of concrete to be poured securing the footings to hold the structure’s in place was also not an option because of the track to the top of the hill.

This then brought about the novel idea of having two portable concrete slabs made up 1200mm by 1200mm by 140mm thick which we could transport up to the peak of Pickersgill Hill.

While the construction was under way in

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Finley, some 200km away to the north east at Wagga Wagga within the TECSight support centre, the orders were place for the Receiver, RTK radio, Coax cable, Solar panels, Regulator and wiring harnesses.

TECSight support centre also arranged the licence for the 450 RTK radio with the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA). Once these had arrived, the TECSight crew set about the getting the activations in place and placing it all in a box bound for Griffith.

Within a couple of days the equipment arrived at the Griffith branch and the time had come for a pre-assemble check. Kevin Suffield brought the bits into the workshop and the puzzled looks and questions of interest began regarding what this meccano set is!

With only a few minor alterations needed as the base station went together, no task appeared too big for Kevin. Cutting and bashing, grinding and welding and we were standing tall in no time. Some mesh was sourced for the cage and cut to size and around the base it went to protect the essentials from wildlife. We then stripped it all back down and loaded it carefully back into the trailer, tying it off securely.

D-Day had now arrived. Ben McIntosh joined the crew keen to learn and with his ute and trailer loaded, he set off with Matt to the site.

Trent had the important responsibility to get the mini excavator for the day ahead and was to meet the guys out at the hill. Trent remembers Matt saying, “You wait until you see the track!” and through a couple of gates and around the bend they saw the challenge that lay ahead.

Within the first 400 metres they encountered the first test of the day as they drew to a halt with the utes struggling to follow the steep, tight weaving track. A quick push of a button and now using the versatility of 4WD, the utes engaged in a slow idle pace all the way to the top.

A quick scout around and the excavator unloaded, the area was prepped with Ben operating the excavator like a pro. The concrete blocks were slewed into place ready for the tower to go up.

The solar panels were mounted to the tower and the wiring harness secured in place, the tower was erected tall looking over the surrounding area. Not far away, the mounting post for the Starfire receiver, was also erected to connect up the Starfire Receiver, RTK radio and the much need power source. With the

flick of the switch and with display hooked up and checking of a few critical settings, they fired up another receiver on the ute to make sure it was transmitting. All they needed to do now was to lock it up, clean up and head for home although going down the track was a lot easier this time!

With the job done and heading for home, there was plenty of discussion about what sort of range and accuracy could be achieved by this SF3000 receiver, 450MHZ radio and 9dbi high gain antenna along with the elevation of its location, but nothing would be determined until 3pm on Friday when the absolute base survey had completed. They drove into town and returned the mini excavator, then it was back to the branch to unload the utes then for a quick clean up and Trent was on his way home.

When the time came on Friday afternoon, a ute was acquired and Matt and Ben headed back out to the base station location to inspect to see if they had had any curious visitors during the night. With no evidence of furry friends being present during the night, the boys quickly set up the Rover and high gain vehicle antenna and set out to do some scouting to see where the signal would reach.

The boys headed back to the Mid Western Highway and turned left and headed back towards Goolgowi, they reached the massive roundabout at Goolgowi without dropping a satellite and proceeded straight through the roundabout heading out towards Hay. They drove for some 20km’s before reaching the Carrathool turn off and turned left and continued for another 3km’s towards Carrathool where they hit the Tabbita lane intersection. The boys sat out on the intersection looking at the GS3 2630 screen reading 40km’s by way of the bird with out dropping a satellite. Satisfied, the boys then headed for home down Tabbita lane. They reached Tabbita turned right and headed back towards Griffith holding satellites to about 15kms out of Griffith when the orchards and vineyards proved too much and the signal faded and eventually dropped out.

When the boys arrived back at the branch the facial expressions of the sales team said it all as they were eagerly awaiting the verdict.

With the verdict in, the Branch now has an opportunity to provide a solution for the growers in the Merriwagga, Goolgowi, Tabbita area which is a cost effective guidance tool for everyday operations required to maximise profitability.

Hutcheon & Pearce

(Above left) The goat track leading up to the site that was navigated by the team (Above middle) Trent Royston from TECSight starting the site pad and (above right) Ben McIntosh from the Grifith Branch putting the finishing touches to the site

(Above left) Views from the hill to the north and south. It is amazing just how elevated the site is for maximum coverage.

(Above middle) Trent Royston preping the base station site.

(Above right) Kevin Suffield from the Griffith shed with the finished station ready to go (Below far right ) Matt Sanders putting the cage together to keep the local pest community at bay. and (below middle) Matt with the finished base station.

(Below Left) Ben McIntosh from Griffith supplying power to the base station.

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Header Driver’s Convention Warren Plummer - Branch Manager Narrandera

The annual “Header Driver’s Convention” will be held at the Murrumbidgee Hotel in Narrandera on the 6/2/2015 (annually – the first Friday in February) at 6PM

(Above left) Les Boyton in his new palacial office.

(Middle left) Header demo program

It is a gathering of header drivers throughout the Riverina to celebrate the end of harvest and swap stories.

There are all sorts of awards given on the night for all sorts of reasons.

The convention has been running for 20 years & according to event organiser Neil Seidel the qualifications to attend is you must have one of the following: •

Driven a header

•

Worked on a header

•

Seen a header

•

Seen a picture of a header

•

Even truck drivers can come.

The cost is $30 per head for all you can eat & drink with all proceeds for the night going to CAN ASSIST. Entertainment for the evening is comedian Macca McKenzie.

All are welcome to come along for a night of stories & laughs.

Proudly Sponsored by Hutcheon & Pearce.

Contact Neil Seidel 0428598200

Movember at it’s best Jacqueline Negline-Smyth - HR Manager

A big thank you to all of our team who consistently every year don the creative whiskers for a fantastic cause. I would

especially like to thank all their dear partners and colleagues who also contribute by having to look at these creations as they have evolved over the month of November.

The Wagga Parts team (left), Les Boyton, Rod O’Brien, Anthony Turner and Chris Roberts held the fort yet again for the Wagga Branch. Donations are still being accepted.Please support the Men’s health initiative.

The Finley crew (below), Trent Royston and Craig Litchfield are members of the local Apex Club team and raised $1435. Superb efforts boys.

Well done to all supporting a great charitable cause.

(Middle left) The Albury team joined the initiative with Tom Yates and Rhys Dawe modelling their Mo’s on the job.

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Hutcheon & Pearce

Wagga News Andrew Lewis - Branch Manager Wagga

As another harvest draws to an end we can look back on another busy year here at the Wagga branch. It’s been another one of those funny harvests where again it has been an interesting couple of months. Firstly, it seemed as if harvest was going to be over before we knew it, the skies were clear and machines were running smoothly. Then the first week of December the rain was turned on which has made finishing up for the guys in the South all that more interesting.

I would like to thank the Wagga team for their efforts over the last 12 months and especially during some testing times through harvest. It’s these efforts that keep our customers going around the clock in the field and I’m sure they are also very appreciative of your efforts.

New Parts Office Well it has been some time in the making but finally there is some light at the end of the tunnel with the new spare parts office for our workshop, as you can see Les (top left) now has a roof over his head and can now set about suppling our workshop from the comforts of his own office…

Harvester Demo’s The Wagga sales team have been busy over the last month or so running around with a John Deere S680. As it is hard to get around all customers while demonstrating we have tried our best to show as many customers in different areas as we can the features and benefits of the model year 14 machine. A lot of customers green and otherwise have been impressed with the performance of the machine. Special mention must go to Gavin Graetz for organising the logistics of our demonstrations at such a busy time of the year.

Shelbourne Reynolds Stripper Front Demo

with amazing results (middle left) The 42ft front was fitted up to a JD 9770 STS and put into a 3-3 ½ t crop north of Wagga. The major benefit other than capacity was the residual that was left on the ground. As this front does not cut the straw, it is left standing which at sowing time next year gives a huge advantage when trying to sow through trash. Many thanks to Ron Luelf from H&P Finley and Matt from Shelbourne in the UK for their assistance with the impressive demonstrations.

Welcome Welcome to Tom Climpson as he joins the Wagga sales team in CCE /small ag division. Tom has just completed his HSC and comes from a farming background on the outskirts of Temora. We wish you all the best in your new role.

We also welcome Michael Umback, Brady Roberts & Brendan Pincott across to the H&P team. All have been working with us as apprentices under GTES but are now officially under the Hutcheon & Pearce banner and a valuable part of the team.

Wagga Xmas Party With the festive season upon us this year we went back in time and ventured out to where it all began. All the Wagga branch staff were transported by bus out to Coolamon for a night at the Coolamon Hotel (Bottom Pub, bottom left). A great night was had by all and we were extremely well looked after by Danny and his team, thankyou for your hospitality..

I will finish off with wishing all staff and customers alike a very Merry Xmas and all the best for 2015. For those of you travelling over the festive holidays please take care on the roads and we all look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

With the added interest in stripper fronts our Wagga team also lined up a couple of demonstrations in the area in early December

ONCE YOU TEST DRIVE ONE, YOU’LL FIND A HUNDRED REASONS TO BUY ONE. Innovative features like the optional AutoConnect™ Drive-Over Mower Deck and Quik-Park™ Front Loader make the 1 Series Sub-Compact Utility Tractors one of the most user-friendly tractors you can buy. John Deere quality and durability make them the best buy you can make. Stop by your local John Deere dealer to test drive a 1 Series and see why Nothing Runs Like a Deere.™ JohnDeere.com.au/1Series

16.5 kW (22.4 hp†) Diesel Engine Hydrostatic Transmission Power Steering • Four-Wheel Drive 17.8 kW (24.2 hp†) Diesel Engine Hydrostatic Transmission Power Steering • Four-Wheel Drive

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High Performance Academy (HPA)

Jacqueline Negline-Smyth - HR Manager At Hutcheon and Pearce we have always had a huge emphasis on training particularly with product knowledge and servicing techniques from the John Deere University.

Our Apprentices have been trained by various TAFEs in either Heavy Vehicle or Agricultural Mechanical Technology and the Trainees by the Motor Traders Association.

Our HPA strategy from 2015 is fourfold: 1.

to partner closely with the Riverina Institute of TAFE in Wagga to influence and guide the learning outcomes for our apprentices and trainees to be more green job ready earlier in their training,

2.

develop role and industry related personal development training to motivate, engage and challenge each employee professionally and personally in theose’soft’ skills of leadership, management, team development and communication,

3.

engage our trainees and apprentices with a personal HR Mentor, Matt Duffy, who will support, assist and challenge to ensure they have every opportunity to maximise the outcome of their training,

4.

Create an individualised personal Induction plan for all new employees to enable their learning path as they assimilate into their new roles to be productive, informative, targeted and result driven with clear accountabilities for both new employee and

For apprentices and trainees in the number 1 strategy discussed above, we will be embedding the John Deere University levels 1-3 web based training into the core TAFE curriculum and have apprentices and trainees in a classroom with their H&P peers to learn and challenge each other at the ‘H&P John Deere School’.

The H&P Service teams have kindly donated parts, equipment and components of various machines for the teams to work with. John Deere Machinery will be available for practical sessions at TAFE. Ag machinery specific units will be conducted on-site at H&P Wagga on H&P green machinery.

Parts and Sales Trainees will learn in both classroom collective sessions at the ‘H&P John Deere School’ and onsite in their workplace for on the job learning and assessment.

“O week” will be held in Wagga 29th and 30th January for all apprentices, trainees and Service Managers to learn more about the HPA program moving forward, challenge themselves in their personal development, meet and greet the H&P teams and have some fun too!

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Graduation Congratulations Big congrats to the following apprentices who have completed their four year apprenticeship and have accepted a new role with H&P as a Qualified Service Technician: Darcy Munro - Condobolin (below) Lincoln Mead - Narrandera Andrew Schmidt - Albury Shaun Braybon - Finley Will Mitchell - Griffith

Welcome H&P apprentices Due to the changes in our apprenticeship and training strategy under the HPA most apprentices have moved from having H&P as a host employer to us being the direct employer.

Luke Tarrant -Cowra Joe Symons -Cowra Michael Umback -Wagga Brady Roberts - Wagga, Brendan Pincott -Wagga George Galbraith - Albury Michael Mrowka - Temora Brayden Kalms - Temora Chris Mills -Parkes Mitchell Dunn - Parkes Ben Schofield - Parkes Matt Hedjuck - Narrandera Robert Davies - Narrandera Layne Eade - Narrandera We would like to thank GTES and Skillset for their partnership over the years employing our apprentices.

Thank-you to all of the guys who have changed over. There has been a myriad of paperwork and signing and we still have a bit more to come.

Aaron McCarthy (left) from Wagga, along with Orlando Hughes, Temora and Aaron Amery, Cowra have only one year left to completion and will thus stay with GTES. All will be part of the HPA.

HR Mentor News Matt Duffy - HR Mentor

Hey everyone and welcome to the new HPA news bulletin. It’s a very exciting time for Hutcheon and Pearce, company and employees alike. We have taken a drastically different approach to the way we support and train our apprentices and trainees starting with employing our apprentices directly, not through a group training organization. This alone should give the lads a solid sence of belonging as well as giving us as employers a stronger feeling of responsibility.

Another huge change is partnering with TAFE Riverina Institute, Wagga campus. We thought this was going to be an enormous task but the teachers have bent over backwards to provide us with a training plan that suits our business, changed the contents of their units to incorporate John Deere University contents, changing their calender to suit us and best of all sending their teachers to John Deere training. So putting all this and more together our apprentices and trainees wont be going to TAFE so to speak but a custom built John Deere school.

Jacqueline and I have spent a lot of time on the road the past 4weeks visiting all the branches getting opinions from managers, service managers, past apprentices and apprentices alike about the various training institutions we send our apprentices and trainees to. It was not good. So we took it upon ourselves to visit them ourselves to get first hand who is providing the best training for our lads. No one is. Hence partnering with Wagga TAFE and building this to suit ourselves.

My new role as HR Mentor.- This has been the best change in my working life to date. I honestly did not realize how much I would love it. It has been a couple of months training with Jacqueline and now starting to stand on my own two feet.

The job of mentor involves a lot of different roles. Predominantly it is to support the training of our apprentices and trainees and help build the communication between techs and apprentices, managers and apprentices/ trainees, TAFE and managers and H&P and TAFE. It is also to give the apprentices and trainees someone to talk to when they think no one else will listen. But most of all, get in early and work with all parties to grow the ‘ultimate tech’.

I have had the chance this last couple of weeks to do what I enjoy and get the overalls on and work beside some of the young fellas.

One in particular was Rob in Narrandera.

This bloke impressed me. We had a mystery clutch problem on an older tractor which could have been one of many things. Rob thought the job through as we went but best of all thought outside the square and challenged himself. So as it is a new role in H&P, we will all be learning together and learning how to make it work the best for everyone. See you soon

Hutcheon & Pearce

R = Ready. Ready Right Now.

Erinvale Farms

By Craig Buntin - Header Foreman Wagga

Erinvale farms is a local family company run by Matt and Dan Lane consisting of livestock and mixed cropping.

In the past Erinvale farms has owned a 9660 sts and a 9870sts but this year took the opportunity to purchase two S680 machines capable of meeting the requirements of there expanding venture.

From row crops and broad-acre grains, to hay and material handling, the John Deere lineup of 5R, 6R, 7R, 8R, and 9R Series Tractors give you more power and options to help grow your operation. Built with a John Deere PowerTech™ engine, easy-to-operate controls, and the most comfortable cab around, you get all the power and convenience you need to work comfortably all day, every day. So if you’re ready to take your farm to the next level, call or come in today. These tractors are ready – right now.

Harvest efforts recognised Jacqueline Negline-Smyth - HR Manager

Recently Matt and Dan have leased Bulgary Station allowing them to cover a total of 6700 hectares including 800 hectares of irrigation on which they managed to achieve up to seven tonnes per hectare in barley, . canola, soya beans, fava beans and wheat are other crops currently grown in there venture.

Despite some areas still hard at it, his year has seen a quick turn around for harvest in most regions. Our teams diligently prepare for the impending harvest and survive the pressures of long hours, call backs and stubborn machinery problems that require speedy and accurate diagnosis.

This year each Branch Manager was asked to identify whom in their team went over and above Model who availability by dealer.doing Images used are for illustration purposes only and may show features or attachments not available from everyone isvaries already their utmost.

The following people were nominated by alltheir dealers. See your dealer for details.

Branch Manager:

Michael McCrae - Parkes Service

Joseph Fedele - Griffith Parts

Lisa Schulz - Temora Admin & Parts

Craig Thorp - Temora Service

Brendan Lilford - Narranderra Service

Peter Cockley - Cowra Service

Lincoln Mead - Narrandera Service

Aaron Amery - Cowra Service

The recent purchase of the S series headers has given them excellent reliability and the ability to cover an average of 450 hectares in a 24 hour day . We had the opportunity to take the pictures shown while carrying out the first service where each machine had already covered over 1000 hectares each good reports on performance and exceptional reliability were the talk of the day.

Carel Frik Meintjes - Cowra Service We were fortunate to acquire very expensive reserved tickets to Friday 12th Dec Katie Perry concert in Sydney. It was too hard and unfair to choose a winner from this hard working bunch, so all these employees were put in a hat and Craig Thorp was the lucky recipient of three reserved seats.

Well deserved to Thorpie and another big thanks to all those nominated and all the silent guys behind the scenes who have enabled our customers to keep their machinery running during these peak times.

High Performance

11

Vale in Griffith

By Tony Glennon - Branch Manager After working 16 years with A&G Machinery and 3 months with Hutcheon and Pearce Dick Hore has decided to retire at the end of 2014 Dick was instrumental in setting up the cotton picker repair bay in 2001 and the grain harvesters pre season service maintenance program in 2005.

Choose Green... ...Harvest Gold The 2014 John Deere S-Series Harvesters are engineered to harvest profit.

Harvest more per day with new Interactive Combine Adjustment which irons out operator learning curves more quickly, taking novices to near pros.

Enhance crop handling and separating with our TriStream™ Rotor Technology, enabling improved crop flow, with up to 20% less force, for a high capacity and smooth performance in damp conditions, so you can pack more harvesting time in a day to finish faster.

Do it all in one-of-a-kind comfort with the new leather cab package featuring a leather trim steering wheel along with a lumbar-supported, ventilated leather operator seat to keep you fresh and focused on long harvest days.

Dick will be heading to the North Coast with his wife Robyn for a well deserved break and will return to Griffith to catch up on a whole lot of chores for Robin and himself The good news is though, we will see Dick back in small blocks in the future working on different projects, predominantly to do with harvesting.

We wish Dick and Robyn all best in the future. (Below) Dick in front of the famous camper.

Turn green into gold and start benefiting today. Visit us today and see why Nothing Runs Like a Deere.™

Employment Vacancies

Vale in Finley

By Bill Armstrong - Southern General Manager Finley technician John “Macca” McBurnie has decided to call it a day after 20 Years within The Armstrong/Hutcheon and Pearce Group.

Macca or “Foxeyes” as he is known to his workmates, started in the Finley Workshop in August 1994 and has been a valued part of the team ever since.

John started his mechanical career 40 years ago with Greg McKay an International Harvester Dealer in Finley during the 70’s and early 80’s. After the business closed down, Macca started out his own repair business, which he operated in Finley for 10 years prior to joining our Finley Shop.

Jacqueline Negline-Smyth - HR Manager

Parts

Parts Interpreter – Parkes Parts Interpreter/Storeman - Albury

Service

Agricultural Diagnostic Technicians – - Narrandera & Temora

Macca has a love of old cars and new motorcycles and drives a Wolseley and rides a Kawasaki 1100 (his daily drive is a Postie Bike) and is an avid member of the Finley Classic car Club.

Sales

Small Ag and Turf Sales Representative – Cowra Large and Small Ag Sales Representative - Finley If you are looking for a career change or know of someone who is, please pass on the lead to send a resume and cover sheet with why you are interested and suited to the role to

hr@hutcheonandpearce.com.au.

John will be missed around the dealership, especially in the workshop by the person who inherits the 4080 Chamberlains, I am told.

All the staff at Hutcheon and Pearce Finley wish John (right with Chris Braybon) and Dawn all the very best in retirement and we know that goes for his associates and customers alike. Well done mate. Enjoy!!

Albury Coleambally Condobolin

12

Cowra Finley Griffith

Lake Cargelligo Narrandera Parkes

Temora Wagga

Newsletter submissions to:

ISSUE: 2

hr@hutcheonandpearce.com.au

PUBLISHED December 2014

Ph: 0408 745 522

www.hutcheonandpearce.com.au Hutcheon & Pearce - High Performance