Focus magazine by Kramp 2015 #3 UK (English)

Focus Kramp Customer Magazine

Edition 3 | 2015

THE NFU DISCUSSES RURAL CRIME

17

NEW COURSES FOR KRAMP ACADEMY

Page

14

Page

Page

KRA FOCUS 0315 UK

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT THEFT?

29

SOCIAL MEDIA FOCUS

Experts discuss using social media for businesses

THE FINEST FLUID HANDLING SOLUTIONS A wide range of greasing, oiling, DEF & fluid handling solutions!

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EDITORIAL

Smart technology opens up new opportunities A new Internet age is dawning: the age of the “Internet of Things”, in which smart technology plays a central role. In this new Internet era, devices will be capable of communicating directly with one another and performing actions autonomously without any human involvement. This independent communication between devices will improve the efficiency, flexibility and quality of processes. The technology is already being put to use in many sectors. In the healthcare sector, for example, robots are assisting nursing staff at the patient’s bedside, and in the construction industry, home owners can now opt for home automation technology to control all the systems in their homes interactively.

As reported in previous editions of Focus, these developments have made their way into the agricultural sector too. Smart farming is the latest leap forwards in agricultural automation, helping producers to make better decisions using detailed measurement and control tools. Together with our suppliers, we are always looking for chances to create opportunities for the future by offering innovative technologies, products and services to our customers. As the famous American economist Alfred Chandler once said, “You can’t do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and still be in business tomorrow.”

With this idea in mind, it is fitting that the theme for this year’s Agritechnica, the world’s largest trade fair for agricultural machinery and equipment, will be “People, Technology, Innovations — The future of agricultural machinery”. Kramp will, as usual, be hosting a stand at Agritechnica, and you can find out more in this edition of Focus. I look forward to meeting you personally at our stand.

Eddie Perdok Kramp Group CEO

CONTENTS 4

News Product news

20

History ISOBUS: ongoing development

6

Supplier portrait Briggs & Stratton

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Events Agritechnica

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Cover story What can we do to prevent theft?

24

Customer Portrait J Brock and Sons Ltd

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Know How Banners mean extra benefits

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Pinboard Customer news

14

Highlight NFU rural crime expert talks about crime prevention

28

Kramp Faces New Account Managers Join Kramp

17

Kramp Academy New Courses for 2015

29

Social Media Find us on Facebook

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Ask the expert Technical Services makes life easy for you

30

Mosaic Social media with expert Simon Haley

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NEWS

Sprayer nozzles & accessories

Action Can

Testing is crucial

Aerosols for the industry

The NSTS sprayer testing (national sprayer testing scheme) for

Kramp now stock a full range of Action Can industrial aerosol products. Large 500ml industrial sized cans and premium grade formulations have earned Action Can the reputation of the professional’s favourite choice.

AC-90 multipurpose lubricant is available in 500ml aerosol and 5 litres, 25 litres and 200 litre bulk fluid.

ZG-90 zinc galvanising spray is specially formulated to provide fast drying long term protection against corrosion and rust. This product is also available in Red, Black, Blue, Green, White and Safety Yellow.

For further information on the Action Can range visit our website www.kramp.com.

farmers is not a compulsory system but is becoming more and more wide-spread. It is designed to help identify problems with sprayers and to help make them as efficient as possible whilst causing less impact on the environment. The scheme currently tests over 15,000 machines a year. So, whether it’s out of season maintenance or a breakdown situation, Kramp is THE source for replacement parts for your customers’ sprayers. A full range of parts and accessories for market leading brands, including Hypro, Arag, Teejet and Lechler are available for delivery on a next day basis. Visit www.kramp.com for further information.

Toy Catalogue

2 Stroke Oil

New Pocket Size edition

Premium quality lubricant

We’ve just launched our brand

Groundsman 2 stroke engine oil is a

“new look” Toy Catalogue. Packed

premium quality semi-synthetic lubricant

with loads of fun ideas for boys and

offering unrivalled engine protection under

girls, the new catalogue is easier

all conditions. It has been designed for use

to read and you will still find all

in all 2 stroke engines fitted to chainsaws,

our popular makes and models.

lawn mowers, hedge cutters/brush cutters

We have kept your favourites plus

and all other garden machinery. It has an

a variety of new brands. Make sure you have placed your

extended engine life, low smoke emission,

order in time for Christmas. If you didn’t get a copy, call us on

reduced carbon build up and extra

01767 602600.

lubrication for use with lead free fuel.

For a full range visit www.kramp.com.

Rylock from Betafence

Quality material for perfect fencing Fencing systems from Betafence have been used in agriculture for more than 130 years and Betafence leads the international market when it comes to enclosures and access control. Rylock Green and Rylock One fencing are widely used by farmers, landowners and contractors employed by the public and private sector. Rylock® Green is instantly recognisable by its unique green coating and heavy galvanising. It’s a premium range designed to give ultimate performance, quality and longevity to deliver life-long fencing solutions.

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NEWS

Baiting Record Sheet

Rat Bait

Preparation is essential Rats and mice cause millions of pounds worth of damage on UK farms each year. Not only do they contaminate and consume animal feed and stored crops, they can cause structural damage, create fire hazards and spread disease. It is therefore vitally important to ensure that grain stores and animal feed areas are kept vermin free. Placing bait in suitable

Use a copy of this sheet for each treatment within the baiting programme.

Farm Name Name and type of bait used Date of Date of bait replacement or Bait point first top-up applications number baiting 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Signature

Comments

Bait Placement Map Use the grid to make a sketch of your main farm buildings, marking on silage and feed stores etc. Identify places where you have seen rats and mice. and/or locations where there is damage. Search nearby banks or earthworks for any burrow systems. Ask farmhands and staff if they have any observations to add.

Mark the bait points on the grid. This will help you monitor bait consumption at each point over the period of control. It is possible for rats to clear a bait point overnight.

Bait points that remain untouched for more than 7-10 days can be moved to areas of high rat activity - make a note of the move on your map.

areas in a safe and responsible manner provides the first

Disposal of dead rats, spoilt or contaminated bait

line of defence against rodent activity. So make sure you are

Please consult the label guidelines for up to date information on the disposal of dead rodents and spoilt or contaminated bait.

prepared. Call us on 01767 602600 for more information and to

Dead rodents pose a risk of secondary poisoning to non target animals. It is important to search for and collect dead rodents at frequent intervals as stated on the product label.

Unused bait should be safely stored in their original containers out of reach of children, unauthorised personnel, and domestic/farm animals. It can be used in future baiting programmes.

Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

If you require any additional copies, please contact Kramp on 01767 602602 or speak to your Account Manager

get a free copy of a Bait placement map and record sheet.

Are you prepared?

Winter is here

Kramp Waterproof Trousers

Comfortable and watertight Kramp provides a wide range of quality jackets, trousers and fleeces for the cold weather. This work wear is extremely resilient, has close lying fibers within the canvas to block out

With the weather getting colder, are you prepared for a harsh

the wind, but still provides you with

winter? With a wide range of winter products available from

the comfort you require for every

Kramp, you need look no further. Whether its de-icer to ensure

day wear. We also have a range of

you have a clear screen, quick start to get you moving, or

high quality trousers for those wet

antifreeze for protection, you can get everything you from us. Call

days (Part No. C65536S). For a full range of available sizes,

us on 01767 602600 or visit www.kramp.com for a full range of

visit the website www.kramp.com.

products.

Winter Essentials

Ideal time for maintenance Winter is the ideal time for maintenance on tractors, mowers and other farm machinery. Preventative work is expensive, but crucial and it’s worthwhile, as costs for repair once broken can be far more costly than a routine maintenance service. Make sure you plan your servicing and ensure you have all the correct tools for the job. Kramp has a wide range of accessories for all your needs. Kramp, it’s that easy.

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SUPPLIER PORTRAIT

Briggs & Stratton: Impressive growth by staying small Briggs & Stratton has been active for over a century — and is rightly proud of this fact.

Originating in the USA, the company manufactures many products, including motors and lawnmowers. “The company was established over a hundred years ago with the aim of solving customer’s problems. It is significant that the company founders were a researcher and an investor”, says Bill Reitman, Senior Vice President of Briggs & Stratton Europe.

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Reitman continues: “In all these years, this focus has not changed. We are the largest producer of small motors in the world. At the same time, we are a small company in comparison to our competitors. That says it all: We devote all our time and attention to our core business”. That attention is paying off, and the company is constantly adding to its list of achievements. For example, the noise level of the motors has been lowered significantly and harmful gas emissions have been reduced by up to 75% in the last twenty years.

Europe and the US are major markets for the manufacturer. However, they are clearly very different from one another, as Jürgen Rehg, Director of After Sales & Service for Europe, explains. “In Europe, we work a lot more with dealers; we have 20,000 in total. In fact, you can’t really even talk about a European market.

Each European country has its own needs and requirements. Yet they all have

Briggs & Stratton supplies its products to consumers, dealers, distributors and OEMS. In Europe, consumers mainly access products through dealers. Briggs & Stratton gets to hear the opinions of its customers through its dealers, but it does not stop there. “We hold consumer panels and events, for example, to enable us to find out about the experiences of our users. We learn from this and the feedback is extremely important for the development of our products”, says Reitman.

The Senior Vice President has now been working in Europe for two years and sees clear differences compared with America. “Machines such as lawnmowers are smaller here, which makes sense because gardens are generally smaller.

Americans are more likely to use ride-on mowers, for example, whereas in

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one thing in common: People want their work to be made as easy as possible”.

Briggs & Stratton Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the world’s largest producer of petrol motors for outdoor power equipment.

Its subsidiaries include North America’s number one supplier of portable generators and pressure washers. The company is also a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden and other power equipment under different brand names.

Briggs & Stratton is active in over one hundred countries across six continents.

Its turnover last year was 1.9 billion dollars.

Europe push mowers are more popular. Another difference is that horsepower is important in the USA, while in Europe more attention is paid to the quality of a machine”.

Strong relationship with Kramp The relationship between Kramp and Briggs & Stratton goes back many years.

However, in recent years the cooperation has become even closer. Jürgen Rehg: “If you look at the philosophy of both companies, a collaboration is obvious.

Both we and Kramp put the customer first and try to make life easier for the customer. We both know that people make the difference. This is why we can work together so well and I am certain that we can do even more for each other in the future”.

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COVER STORY

What can we do to prevent theft?

"We've been burgled here twice.

The second break-in happened almost exactly one year after the first. If there is a pattern to it, it should be my turn again around now". Harry Koster of LMB Marmix knows what it's like to be a victim of theft. Despite the fact that his building is just a few years old and is equipped with an alarm and other anti-theft equipment, he could not stop thieves taking materials and machinery worth thousands of pounds.

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“

I arrived at the building six minutes after being notified of the alarm; by that time they had already got away".

Harry Koster, LMB Marmix WATCH THE VIDEO SHOWING THE BREAK-IN AT MARMIX http://c.kramp.com/StIIM

T

heft is a steadily increasing problem in the agricultural

machines ready for a customer. They took the lot in just a few

sector. And it’s not just sit-on lawn mowers and fuel that

minutes”. On that occasion Koster lost goods worth £15,000.

are being stolen: there have been incidents where entire

showrooms belonging to mechanisation companies have been

Koster had already made the necessary

stripped bare. Nor are these thefts confined to one specific

modifications to his building after the first

country; more and more companies across Europe are now falling

break-in. The sensitivity of the motion sensors

victim to the thieves.

was increased and temperature sensors were installed. Sadly, that was to no avail. “I arrived

To start with, fuel in particular presented an attractive target.

at the building six minutes after being notified of the alarm; by

Mechanisation and contracting companies usually have large

that time they had already got away”. The perpetrator of the first

storage tanks that store thousands of litres of diesel. These

burglary was eventually arrested, but Koster never heard about

companies often do not have high fences around their premises,

the second one. Koster: “And I find that rather strange. They don’t

which allows people with malicious intentions to access the tanks

keep you informed. All the police had to say after both break-ins

with relative ease. The theft of fuel and other chemicals is still

was: ‘You are insured, aren’t you?’ That really takes the biscuit!

common but machines are increasingly being targeted too. At first

Regardless of whether I’m insured or not, the crime still needs to

it tended to be small machines, such as lawnmowers, that were

be followed up”.

being stolen, but thieves are now getting more and more confident and are known to steal entire tractors. Last year, insurance

So Koster did it himself. Even more equipment has now been

companies in the UK experienced a 35% increase in claims

installed to ensure any attempt to break into the premises is

involving stolen tractors.

detected at an early stage. He has also had loudspeakers installed to alert the neighbours to any incidents.

They took the lot One of the victims is the aforementioned Harry Koster, owner

That isn’t all: “We thought carefully about where we put the

of LMB Marmix. He was burgled in June 2013 and September

machines. Expensive machines have been moved upstairs. Now

2014. “In 2013 they broke a window and stole some machinery,

we put heavy items that cannot easily be stolen in front of the

including a vibrate plate, a concrete saw and a chainsaw. That

windows. And every day we put forklifts and other vehicles behind

equipment was worth around £3,000”. One year later, the haul

the doors when we lock up so that the doors cannot easily be

was significantly more. “At the time I had various materials and

broken down”.

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COVER STORY

Over the border

Improvements in intruder prevention systems, alarms and

The stolen vehicles and machinery are usually smuggled over the

track-and-trace systems have made it riskier for thieves to steal

border, and even overseas. The machines often cannot be used or

cars. As a result, agricultural machines seem to have become

sold in the country in which they were stolen. As a result, there is

more popular to steal. Given the developments in precision

now a distinct trend of machines being smuggled from western

agriculture and the increased use of GPS systems in tractors,

Europe towards the former Eastern Bloc. And sometimes they go

this industry has become the new target area. The first stories

even further afield: there have even been cases where machines

about GPS systems being stolen from tractors started to emerge

that were stolen in Europe have turned up in Australia. What

halfway through 2014. Sometimes the devices were removed

makes it so hard for the police to retrieve stolen machines is the

neatly, other times heavy-handed tactics were used.

fact that they are often stripped of their parts, which then find their way onto the black market.

Measures So is there anything we can do? There certainly is. Of course you

Cars less popular

can make premises more secure and put machines behind a

Farmers have always been attractive targets for thieves, but in

fence. In addition, more and more products are available that can

the past burglaries usually involved tools and fuel. So what has

be used to help prevent theft. The Kramp webshop offers a variety

triggered this increase in the number of machine thefts? One of

of products that can help to make life as difficult as possible for

the reasons that has been identified is improved security for cars.

thieves.

WHATEVER YOU NEED... ...WE HAVE THE SOLUTION The Kramp product assortment contains hundreds of thousands of parts. You are guaranteed to find what you need.

SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES FROM KRAMP

It‘s that easy.

Contact 10 Kramp UK on 01767 602600 or visit our website www.kramp.com

TIPS Agricultural machinery: » Never leave keys in machinery and lock the doors if possible. » If a machine needs repairs, try to carry them out on the premises. Do not leave the machine unattended in the workplace out in the open. » Do not park machines in places where they can be seen from a main road.

This can create temptation for thieves. » Take regular inventories of equipment so that any missing items are identified quickly. » Record model numbers, descriptions, serial numbers and unique features and take photos. This can be invaluable in helping the police in their investigation. » Remove parts such as batteries if machines are not used for prolonged periods.

Buildings: » Secure doors and windows with robust locks. Install external lighting with automatic motion sensors.

Thieves prefer to work in the dark.

Liquids and chemicals: » Keep chemical products under lock and key. » If possible, place tanks in well-lit areas. Ideally, they should be visible from your house. » Manage your stock sensibly. Have chemicals as you need them and not before.

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Pipe, tube and hose clamps Test couplings and hoses Filters and filter elements

Hall 16 Stand E28

Measuring and testing devices Hydraulic accessories Flow control and ball valves Flanges and fittings

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Walter Stauffenberg GmbH & Co. KG Im Ehrenfeld 4 ยง 58791 Werdohl ยง Germany ยง Tel.: +49 23 92 / 9 16 - 0 ยง sales@stauff.com

www.stauff.com

KNOW HOW

Banners mean extra benefits It is really easy for customers to place orders in the webshop by entering an original part number or by using the handy search functions. If someone is searching for a particular part, they might not always take note of the banners and the news on the home page.

This means that they sometimes miss out on attractive offers and interesting news.

Six highlight banners can usually be found on the webshop home page. These refer to new products or brands, but also to interesting promotions.

Clicking on the banner opens a new page containing the product offer, discount promotion or interesting news.

As illustrated in the example below, clicking on the first banner takes visitors to a page showing the promotion of hand cleaner products.

Clicking on the banner at the right produces more information about Kramp Academy trainings.

These are only two examples. New promotions (banners) are regularly posted in the webshop, so keep checking there and save money or find new products to add to your range.

And don't forget to follow the latest news on the right-hand side of the page. This is where you will find (product) news, information on changes to the webshop and new additions to the range.

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HIGHLIGHT

GUEST ARTICLE FROM THE NFU

Beating rural crime Since Tim Price started working in agriculture more than 30 years ago rural crime has grown from an occasional nuisance typically involving the theft of a few tools or half a dozen sheep to a massive problem costing the industry over £37m in 2014.

It’s not only the cost of crime that impacts on farmers and the

However, local schemes often don’t have the good intelligence

rural community. It’s also the time taken to replace stolen kit like

links across police forces which are needed to bring to justice

electric fencer units and combine batteries – and the stress to

gangs operating across the UK.

farmers who fear their property is being targeted by would-be thieves.

So in 2010 NFU Mutual entered what we believe is a unique working partnership with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence

That’s why, as the UK’s leading rural insurer, we are determined

Service. NFU Mutual is also one of the eight insurance

to do all we can to put a stop to this and work with rural

stakeholders who support PANIU, the Plant and National

communities to beat crime.

Intelligence Unit, a dedicated resource also challenging plant and agricultural vehicle theft.

In that 30 years rural crime has changed significantly. The South East of England was the first region to be hit by significant rises,

Latest trends

coinciding with completion of the M25!

With three quarters of the UK’s farmers insured by NFU Mutual, our theft claim statistics provide a useful guide to the scale, type,

It then spread across the country like a disease across the

and cost of rural crime both across the UK and by county.

motorway network as rural crime changed from a low-key local and opportunist crime into the organised operation led by national

To help farmers, police and other organisations understand rural

and international criminal gangs we see today.

crime trends, for the past 15 years we’ve produced an annual report from this information, supported by a survey or our 300

Over the years NFU Mutual has supported hundreds of local

local branch offices. This year, we are delighted to report a

farm watch schemes. We’ve worked with individual police forces,

significant drop in the cost of rural crime from 44.5m in 2014 to

and we’ve set up initiatives like the NFU Mutual Country Crime

£37.8m in 2014.

Fighters Awards to encourage good local schemes and spread the message about how local communities can tackle rural crime by

It’s great news, but sadly thieves don’t go away. They change

working with police and other agencies.

tactics, seek new targets, and find ways to overcome security technology. For this reason, our message to farmers is to be

These schemes have often had an impact – at least on a local

vigilant at all times, review farm security measures regularly, and

level – and they have also helped overcome beliefs that little can

work with neighbours to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the countryside

be done to tackle rural crime because of the difficulty in patrolling

and pass on information about suspicious activities to local,

the wide expanse of the countryside.

police.

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HIGHLIGHT

Securing tractors In the agricultural vehicle world, until 2010 “one key fits all” was the case with most vehicles. At this point some of the more responsible manufacturers realised this was not fit for the 21st Century and unique keys linked to the vehicle electronics started to be introduced.

It is worth considering security measures including, having the Vehicle Identification Number etched on all glass, a unique ignition key linked to the engine immobiliser, mechanical immobilisation, tracking and telematics technology.

While fitting security devices to tractors and other machinery involves costs, NFU Mutual does recognise the investment by offering premium discounts of up to 27.5% to farmers who fit them.

While better security and policing have brought down tractor theft, quads are increasingly being stolen. NFU Mutual claims statistics for 2014 show increases up to 80% in the value of stolen machines in some parts of the country.

This worrying trend makes it more important than ever before to secure quads.

Rustling Returns Since 2010 livestock theft has re-emerged after a long period of dormancy to plague farmers. The scale of the crime has changed –Instead of a handful of sheep being stolen we are now seeing hundreds of sheep being stolen from farms.

With a keen eye for detail, the employees In the past, farmers have had few effective means to deter and bring to justice

of Technical Services set about developing

determined livestock thieves. To give an indication of the scale of the problem,

customer-specific solutions.

we estimate rustling is costing agriculture over £6m a year. And cost is not the only concern; livestock theft can leave farms in turmoil, with breeding programmes in tatters and production disrupted for years.

In 2014, a new security initiative for livestock was established – which is already proving effective. The brainchild of Lancashire farmer John Taylor, the Lancashire scheme involves the NFU, police, auction markets and a range of organisations holding livestock data. We’re delighted to have been involved with the scheme from the start, helping with administration and funding and we are supporting other continues who are setting up schemes based on the Lancashire model.

Working together We are convinced that by working together with our members, the Police and partner agencies we can continue to make a difference reducing the cost of, and disrupting rural crime, and will continue to do so.

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HIGHLIGHT

Keeping thieves off your farm Think like a thief There is a lot farmers can do to keep thieves at bay. Basic security measures such as decent locks on home, office and outbuilding doors and ground floor windows are the first step. Alarms, CCTV and infra-red detection systems can play their part, depending on the design and layout of individual properties. Then it’s well worth going to the nearest road to your farm entrance and seeing what impression it would give to a would-be thief by asking yourself: • Does it look as though good security is in place?

• Are vehicles, trailers and other machinery left in the open?

• Are access gates kept closed and padlocked?

• Are warning signs and security lighting clearly visible?

NFU Mutual farm security checklist: • Remove keys and secure cars, tractors, and other vehicles whenever they are left unattended

• Record machinery serial numbers • Mark livestock clearly and count them regularly

• Keep gates to farm yards closed whenever possible

• Mark valuable tools and equipment with unique identification

• Use security lighting in yards and drives

• Ensure computers are kept in well-secured buildings

• Have the Vehicle Identification Number etched on vehicle

• Lock up tools, equipment and vehicles out of sight

windows • Consider tracking devices for more expensive machines/cars

For more information visit www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime

• Physically secure ATVs using suitable locking devices or heavy duty security chain and padlocks

By Tim Price, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist

THERE’S A NAME FOR EFFICIENCY IN THE WORLD OF AGRICULTURE: MEAplatinum

M E TA L A PPLI C ATIONS As long-lasting as stainless steel – that was our aim when we developed MEAplatinum – the new surface for sliding door and gate fittings. In the agricultural sector, exceptional resistance to corrosion guarantees that the guide rails can be used maintenance-free. This characteristic has been confirmed by TÜV-SÜD in an independent test (DIN ISO 9227 : 2012).

More information at: www.mea-group.de/metal applications

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KRAMP ACADEMY

New Courses for 2015 We are delighted to be able to announce a new location and a number of high quality courses for this season’s Kramp Academy programme.

New Location SRUC Aberdeen – A change of location for Scotland: the Craibstone Estate is situated on the outskirts of Aberdeen just 5 miles from the city centre and is close to the airport.

Aberdeen has excellent training facilities and is ideally located for our Scottish dealers.

New Courses Kramp Academy is introducing commercial courses tailored to help your business increase efficiency, profitability and commercial understanding.

Business Finance I – Introductory Training The perfect introduction to business finances. A course for non-financial people, this introductory training instills an understanding of margin and the impact of discounting, profit and loss accounts, how stock levels affect cash flow and how poor time and cost management leads to reduced profits. Business Finance I is aimed at parts managers and assistants looking for extra training.

Business Finance II – Management Level Training Aimed at Business owners, Dealer Principals and Group Parts Managers looking for additional skills and refresher training – Business Finance II covers a wide plethora of subjects. Balancing profit, cash and borrowings, the effects of discounting and margin, Absorption, Invoicing effiency and the 7 key skills of financial management will all be included in this two day course

An introduction to Marketing To maximise sales and margin, parts departments need to understand their customers.

This entry level one day course details the basics of marketing and provides additional skills in areas such as; the marketing mix, managing customer data, creating promotions, social media and selling through the internet.

This is an essential course for businesses wishing to increase sales from the parts department.

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To book these courses simply visit the Kramp Academy page on the webshop. These courses are available at all six of our Kramp Academy locations. If you require a dedicated training day at your premises then contact the Kramp UK marketing team.

Kendrick.richard@kramp.com and ponder.laura@kramp.com.

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ASK THE EXPERT

Technical Services makes life easy for you Kramp is much more than just a webshop. As well as its extensive range of parts, it also offers business solutions and various services. Ronald van der Meulen is the manager of Technical Services and in this edition of "Ask the expert" he tells us what his department has to offer.

What exactly does Technical Services do?

Van der Meulen: "We offer our customers a wide range of services; for example valve assembly, customer-specific engineering and our sprocket service. To give one example: one assembly service that we offer is to put together hydraulic hoses that are custom-made and fitted with the right couplings. We also assemble complete pump units and gearboxes. All that's left for our customer to do is mount the ready-to-use component. That saves a lot of time".

And these services can be customised?

V. d. M.: "That's right. Of course we offer standard products, including mini power packs, but we can also tailor solutions to a customer's particular needs. Examples include manually operated SD hydraulic valves or an entire custom-made PVG".

With a keen eye for detail, the employees

Does the same apply to machining processes?

of Technical Services set about developing

V. d. M.: "Absolutely. If you need a complete conventional or CNC

customer-specific solutions.

machining solution based on your drawings, then Kramp is your ideal partner. We can perform lathe machining on parts of up to 700mm in diameter and 2.5m long. We can also process shafts that are up to 7m long. One of the machining processes that we frequently carry out for our customers is spline shaft milling in various sizes and lengths. Our special milling cutters provide a wide range of spline toothing solutions. We can also manufacture the corresponding bushes using a broaching technique. Examples include the 6-part 1-3/8'' profile and the 6-part 1-3/4'' profile in accordance with the DIN 9611A standard agricultural profile.

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Van der Meulen explains the role of Technical Services.

Our sprocket service is another example. Gears, sprockets and belt pulleys are supplied complete with bore, tapped hole and slot, all

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tailored precisely to your requirements".

How does this work?

More information on business solutions and Technical Services can be found in the webshop. Alternatively, contact your account manager for more information.

V. d. M.: "If it's a standard process, customers can request it via the webshop. If it's a complex process, the order can be sent to the relationship manager or product specialist, who will enter the order into the system. The order then comes to us in Technical Services and we carry out the requested process".

Does Technical Services also have engineers who can assist customers?

V. d. M.: "Yes. Kramp has a team of experienced engineers who are on hand to give advice or supervise prototyping development. They often meet with the customer at an early stage of the engineering process and work together to develop a product. If desired, our engineers can even build entire machines for customers".

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HISTORY

ISOBUS: ongoing development ISOBUS has gradually become the standard that governs the link between tractors and machinery. The days of fiddling with multiple cables and terminals

D

emand for this type of system was high, particularly in Europe, because tractors frequently had to communicate with farm

machinery of different brands. This meant that every machine that was attached to a tractor often had a system of its own and a corresponding terminal. This

are over: now just a single plug with a

was inefficient and gave drivers less and less space

single monitor is enough for a tractor to

a German university collaborated with a number of

communicate with a range of implements.

to look outside the vehicle. At the end of the 1980s, manufacturers to develop the LBS, which stands for Landwirtschaftliches BUS-System ("agricultural BUS system"). Subsequently some major manufacturers, including Kverneland, took the next big step in establishing ISO 11783, also known as ISOBUS. The first studies into this universal system began in 1991. Ten years later, the first prototypes were presented to the public at Agritechnica in 2001.

Simplicity is key Nowadays, (nearly) all the major tractor manufacturers use ISOBUS and the number of implements designed in accordance with this standard continues to grow. The major benefit of ISOBUS is that all the information is stored in the machine's ECU. This means that a farmer can connect a sprayer to the back of any tractor without needing to re-enter all the settings. The newer models can even "take control" of a tractor. No need to pause when a bale needs to be ejected, because the round baler sends a signal to the tractor, causing it to slow down. This obviates the need for someone to drive the tractor.

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Benedikt Fรถsel (right), Kramp Business Solutions Specialist, and Stefan Betz, Kramp Product Specialist, tested many ISOBUS-systems and are more than convinced about the benefits for agriculture.

Wireless communication Are we done now? Has ISOBUS gone as far as it can go? Certainly

communication between a tractor and the machine connected

not. The manufacturers involved in creating ISOBUS, united under

onto it, but also to enable multiple tractors and machines to

the umbrella organisation AEF, are continuously updating the

communicate with one another in future. While ISOBUS has

standard. AEF is focusing its attention on wireless communication

already made life a lot easier for the machine operators of today,

and a higher-speed connection between tractor and machine. In

it will continue to develop so it can meet the demands of future

doing so, the manufacturers are not only looking to improve the

operators too.

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3 | 2015 Focus

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Innovation takes centre stage at Agritechnica It's almost time for Agritechnica again. The world's premier event for agricultural machinery and parts will be held in Hanover from 8 until 14 November. Having been expanded to cover 26 halls, the trade fair will be larger than last time.

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EVENTS

The figures from 2013 present a clear picture: in total there were 2,897 participants from 47 countries. More than half of the exhibitors were from outside Germany. The 450,000 visitors from 88 countries had no less than 423,000m2 of exhibition space to explore. These figures make this event the industry's largest trade fair in the world. It is therefore the perfect place for manufacturers to share new developments with the general public.

The theme for 2015 is "People, Technology, Innovation – the Future of Agricultural Technology", indicating that the trade fair is not only focusing on the latest technology, but also on management, services and smart agricultural solutions that are crucial to the sector. "We've received positive indications from the exhibitors", said Agritechnica's Freya von Czettritz.

"International exhibitors have been very quick to sign up, demonstrating how important this event is for their business".

In 2013, no fewer than 400 innovations were submitted to DLG, the organisation that runs Agritechnica. This figure is expected to be exceeded this year. The innovations and new products seem to focus mainly on electronics.

Kramp at Agritechnica It goes without saying that Kramp will be at Agritechnica. We can be found in halls 2, 16 and P33, with our main stand in hall 2, stand A19. This is where visitors can find out about the business solutions and technical services that Kramp has to offer. The stand will clearly reflect the theme of innovation, although the precise details are a secret for now.

Our OEM stand will be located in hall 16, stand A04. 2013 was the first time we had a separate OEM stand. The positive feedback from visitors has prompted us to have a separate stand for OEMs in 2015 as well.

A new feature will be the Kramp HR department's stand in hall P33, stand A05. Anyone interested in working at Kramp can visit this stand for more information.

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Dedicated Business Vision Leads to Success for J Brock & Sons Ltd J Brock and Sons have been specialising in the sale of new and used cultivation machinery for over fifty years. They offer a wide range of options for the forward thinking farmer, supported by Kramp.

J Brock & Sons Ltd are exclusive UK distributors for the Farmet cultivation machinery brand

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“The Brock family have been farming at Woodhams Farm for about 100 years.” Peter said. “It was a natural progression in the 1970s to start trading in cultivation machinery and in 1992 we established our parts department. Since then we have been going from strength to strength.”

The business manufactures its own cultivation machinery under the brand name Brock and they are exclusive distributors for the Farmet cultivation equipment range. As well as a very large range of pre-owned machinery, J Brock & Sons have been associated with TWB for many years. Each brand available has been carefully tailored to their customers with a clear business vision. This vision also extends to the extensive parts department.

‘Our mission statement is “making it possible”’ said Peter.

“Our customers need to get their jobs completed as efficiently as possible so our parts solutions must be fit for purpose”.

Brock Parts are a piece in their customers’ supply puzzle, tillage parts, sundries, tools, oil and PPE are standard stock.”

We have massive experience supplying specialist parts to a global customer base, from bulk wearing parts to a single unique bearing.

CUSTOMER PORTRAIT

“

Our aim is to supply a complete solution for our customers.”

Peter Guilder

Kramp support Brock Parts in making sure the parts puzzle fits together every time. Before working with Kramp, the Brock operations team conducted a rigorous selection process to reduce purchasing to a fewer number of key supply partners.

“Our aim is to supply a complete solution for our customers” Peter told us. “So it makes sense that we use a company with a strong European parts offering. We looked at a number of options but the wide product range, consistency of customer services, product knowledge and product availability means that Kramp are consistently a valued partner.”

product range and webshop design as support for their recommendations. “OE numbering on the Kramp webshop is exceptionally useful to us. We also appreciate the immediate and accurate stocking information. This means we don’t let customers down as we are able to provide them with the right information.”

With Kramp’s support, J Brock & Sons, are offering top quality service and support to their loyal customer base bringing the vision of a parts department close to the customer to fruition. n

J Brock & Sons have taken advantage of a number of Kramp’s services and concepts including the well-respected Kramp Academy programme. The management feel that “(The Academy) gives a confidence that is passed onto customers through the technical training we have received.”

One area the Brock Parts team particularly focuses on is knowing when to recommend genuine OEM and/or aftermarket pattern products to customers. With their breadth of experience the team are able to rely on Kramp’s

3 | 2015 Focus

25

PINBOARD

Staff News Adam Elphick (Product Specialist) – Congratulations to Adam and Louise who are expecting their first baby on the 8th of November.

Laura Riley (HR Admin Support) – Just found out her baby is going to be another girl due in October.

Scott Green (Product Specialist) – Congratulations

Rugby World Cup 2015 tober 2015

18 September – 31 Oc

of Cup starts on the 18th The 2015 Rugby World gland En ning game featuring September with the ope es re are plenty of match v Fiji at Twickenham. The control of so make sure you get throughout the week, the TV remote!

to Scott and Ruth who got married on the 16th of May 2015.

Kramp Sh op Concep t

FOCUS June ner Competition Win

s

The K ram p Retail Sh op Concep taken off a t has reall nd here’s y a few of our installed sh recently ops . G oo d Luck to: Agrimec M A Griggs Shinglers

ions C ongratulat

wins an ugler Ltd who to Francis B ion Can. urtesy of Act iPad mini co

AGRICULTURAL SHOWS AND EVENTS 26/9/2015 26/9/2015 26/9/2015 26/9/2015 27/9/2015 3/10/2015 7/10/2015 17/10/2015 20/10/2015

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Southwell Agricultural Society Ploughing Match and Show - Nottinghamshire Malvern Autumn Show – Worcestershire Gransden & District Agricultural Society – Cambridgeshire All Wales Ploughing & Hedging Championships – Powys Surry County Ploughing Match & Country Fair – Surrey South of England Autumn Show and Game Fair – West Sussex Dairy Show – Somerset Countryside Live – North Yorkshire Welsh Dairy Show – Carmarthenshire

2015

Facebook Kramp launched the Fac ebook UK page last yea r and we now have over 700 likes. Visit Kramp UK for exciting competitio ns, market news and company events. Have you liked our page yet? If not like our page today and you can join in with live discussions, have fun and you could win some great prizes.

Have you bought your ticket for...

Service Dealer– Conference and Awards 2015 On the 19th of November 2015, the Service Dealer 2020 Conference and Awards 2015 take place at Oxford Belfry Hotel. Time is running out to join us. Make sure you order your tickets today and take part in this leading discussion about our industry.

The agenda includes: • Dealer 2020 - how should dealers adapt or evolve to our changing marketplace?

• Service and Technology • Communication with customers.

• Question Time discussion on the future of the industry

Congratulations to James Pearse

The event will attract professionals from across the dealer network looking for information on what changes will take place in the industry and what they can expect from the ever-changing dealer network with insights into new technology. It’s an ideal way to network amongst other dealers and like-minded individuals.

who won a Screwdriver set on our Facebook m Competition: What‘s in my toolbox, with Graha Place.

C ongratulations to To ny C ouch on completing 10 ye ars se rvice at Kramp UK

Tickets are available from the Service Dealer website www.servicedealer.co.uk and the 2015 Conference and Awards tab.

3 | 2015 Focus

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KRAMP FACE

Ben enlisted in the British Army straight from Sheffield university, spent over 4 years as part of “5 Rifles Battalion” and climbed the ranks to Captain, before leaving to pursue other ambitions. He served in Jordan for 2 months and 7 months in Afghanistan - “a shocking but awesome experience”. He then took on the challenge to develop a derelict property in Yorkshire and renovated it completely before selling. He worked for Mole Valley Farmers, dealing with animal welfare, roofing, drainage, oil tanks and pest control products. Ben joined Kramp in June and is our new Account Manager for the South West, covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. “I am looking forward to working with such an aspirational and forward thinking company.”

Ben Jordan

Interesting fact He has completed the highest bungee jump in South Africa and played county cricket for Cheshire.

n

Account Manager

Work History Simon’s previous experience has been as an Account Manager for an online retailer which specialised in concert and festival ticketing. He has worked on some of the biggest events in the UK over the last 7 years.

Before university he spent time as a marketing junior for a private education firm. He is looking forward to his new challenge here at Kramp – “ I was attracted to Kramp for their forward thinking and progressive attitude and I am keen to transfer my skills into the agri industry.”

Gordon Cummings

Interesting facts Graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a

Account Manager

degree in History, Simon is a keen mountain biker.

Work History Gordon has been in the machinery industry for 37 years, where he spent 21 years with Claa s, on the retail side of the company. He was general man ager for Eastern Harvesters and more recently Sale s Director for Louth Tractors. This proved to be the bigg est challenge of his career and he was instrumental in rebuilding the company. He has dealt with Kram p for many years in his previous roles, so is excited abou t this new challenge.

“I am looking forward to being part of Kramp, a very pro-European and professional com pany”.

Interesting facts He once took part in a popular gam e

show.

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Simon Carpenter Account Manager

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SOCIAL MEDIA

k o o b e c a F n Find us o Kramp UK launched their Facebook page last year with the aim of working with dealers to engage with the farming community.

The page is managed by our Social Media Team who create interesting, interactive entertaining posts. Why not share some photos, discuss products and projects you are currently working on? You may find others have similar questions or may have some quick solutions.

Since the launch we have attracted over 700 likes and it is constantly growing. If you haven’t already liked our page, visit our Facebook page to get all the latest news and join in the fun with Launched 10th November 2014

our competitions. You could win some fantastic prizes.

INFO

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR SITE facebook.com/KrampUK

What can I get from Facebook?

• Kramp news/Market news • Exchanges between like-minded professionals • Games, quizzes and everyday interaction • Tips and tricks • Company events

FACEBOOK ENGAGEMENT Teresa Robinson “Hi guys at Kramp tractor has now been delivered to the school which is known as Ivel Valley School and from what I have heard from Katie Smith the school is over the

If you have anything to share with us, please

moon thank you sooooooooo much for your donation.”

get in contact with one of the Social Media Team.

Declan Mc Cormack “Just received my gift in the post today from

The Social Media Team

your Facebook competition, thanks very much, very impressed

Richard Kendrick

and happy!”

Laura Ponder Graham Place Adam Hubbard

Sandra Ralph “Thank you so much for the case of beer, my hubby

Debbi Oakley-Willmor

and eldest kids already have their eyes on it all lol and the photo looks fab on the banner too”

3 | 2015 Focus

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MOSAIC

Interview with Simon Haley

One of the founder members of AgriChatUK Simon is a 30 year old rural business and social media advisor who graduated from Harper Adams University and has both a BSc(Hons) in Agribusiness and an MSc International Agribusiness degree. He co-founded #AgriChatUK on Twitter in March 2012 with, Charles Tassell, Jez Fredenburgh and Edward Morgan and is also the sole creator of @FarmersOfTheUK account.

What is AgriChatUK? Simon Haley: "AgriChatUK is a Twitter account which facilitates discussions amongst the UK farming industry. It was set up 3 years ago with a view to provide a platform every Thursday evening to discuss relevant topics, provoke conversation and share news and ideas across the country. It’s an online community, built on trust, and allows users to develop relationships in an unrestricted environment.”

Who uses AgriChatUK? S. Haley: “We have approximately 16,500 followers on Twitter and each weekly discussion sparks a different number of people to comment, with many just watching the conversation from a distance or catching up with the discussion via the archives on our website. We have farmers, lobbyists, government officials, academics and companies joining in the conversations. It is not limited to one sector, just depends on the topic.”

What are the benefits of using AgriChatUK? S. Haley: “It’s the ability to network, engage with like-minded people, share experiences and offer solutions. It’s also a way to build respect and highlight your brand. We provide an outlet alongside other hashtag based discussions for the online farming community to have a voice.”

How has social media taken off? Who uses it?

S. Haley: “In relative terms, you’d say it’s still only a minority among the industry that use it to its capacity. However, you can’t afford not to be a part of it, as it can bridge the gap between online and offline media channels. And vice versa. It is an

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interaction tool, brings people together, allows you to build your brand, whether you’re a farmer or an international company.

The fact it has no geographical boundaries makes it a powerful marketplace and facilitates effective knowledge exchange. As any business using social media though, it is important to have a clear strategy, even if it’s about how many followers or likes you will attain in the first 6 months. Having objectives allows your strategy to be monitored and tweaked if results aren’t being seen.”

How can Farmers, Dealers and Suppliers benefit from engaging with social media?

S. Haley: “There are 3 different aspects to this. It’s about sharing knowledge and interacting, gaining respect among other online users, and building long term relationships. Be social, join in conversations, and provide valuable content which is engaging.

You only get out of this what you put in, so plan your engagement.

It’s easy to get lost among all the noise online and to waste time

K Which do they use more - Facebook or Twitter?

unnecessarily. It’s all about self-promotion and being your own

S. Haley: “Currently, the preference is Twitter, as long as it’s used

publisher, but do this in context and be aware not to overload with

correctly. A lot of it is down to the individual personality managing

the unimportant stuff.”

the Twitter or Facebook accounts. It is important to know what the media is used for, the need to separate business and personal.

Why do farmers use Facebook and Twitter?

Facebook can be a more personal platform and it is much

S. Haley: “Very simply, to engage with others and share their

harder for brands to share conversations here. Just because

stories and pictures. They get support from the network, like an

a person likes your page, does not mean they will engage with

extended family. Farming is an industry built on relationships, and

you. Whereas on Twitter, a message can be shared quicker, more

social media helps to counter isolation They have the opportunity

widely and with more immediate results. The most important

to show why their sector is important, they are part of a

thing is to add content to your posts, whether a picture or a video

community wherever they are. It can provide valuable contacts for

or a weblink. More engaging content means more followers and

them and they can get direct answers from relevant companies.”

interaction.”

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COLOPHON Editorial Address: Stratton Business Park London Road Biggleswade Bedfordshire SG18 8QB

Photo’s: Shutterstock (18), Kramp (27), NFU (4), SRUC Aberdeen (1), Briggs & Stratton (3), Agritechnica (1)

Editing and Graphics: Marketing Kramp E-mail: focus.uk@kramp.com www.kramp.com

3 | 2015 Focus

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