Over The Fence #23 - April 2023

WE GOT THE SEVEN-YEAR-ITCH… With Over the Fence now seven years old, it felt like the right time to scratch that itch and give your newsletter a facelift. But what’s under the hood is still the same as we celebrate your awesome commitment to our customers, each other, and the ongoing success of this organisation.

VIEWPOINT

Message from your CEO, Richard Wilson

Welcome - I hope you enjoy the fresh new look for our team newsletter. This time last year we were grappling with massive factory supply issues which fortunately are now largely resolved. However, shipping constraints continue with our logistics team working very closely with freight forwarders to ensure machinery arrives in time for another strong year of forward sales.

We’re very mindful of customers impacted by rising costs at the moment. While our forward order book looks good for next year (particularly in Australia), we do expect a softer market in the coming year. Our focus will be on initiatives to grow market share and ensure we’re well set up to support demand for service and parts.

There is also a significant effort underway to welcome the Canterbury team and customers. We look forward to this being in place by July and are very grateful for all Carrfields’ support towards a smooth transition.

Thank you again for everything you do to Gear Up Our Farmers To Succeed. It really does make a difference.

EXCITING CHANGE BRINGS NEW ERA

It’s a huge Landpower family welcome to our Canterbury CLAAS Harvest Centre teammates as we build even stronger relationships for this next exciting era in the network.

Announced in early March, Landpower is acquiring the Canterbury-based CLAAS Harvest Centres in Ashburton, Templeton, Timaru, Waipara, and Westland (effective from 3 July 2023).

Under a franchise agreement with Landpower, Carrfields has been providing CLAAS Harvest Centre brands to the Canterbury, West Coast and Tasman farming communities since 1993. They’ve built a very strong reputation amongst the rural community over those 30 years.

With local relationships at the heart of our success, all team members related to CLAAS, AMAZONE and JCB sold and serviced through the Canterbury CLAAS Harvest Centres are being offered employment by Landpower. One exciting part of getting to know each other better is the further sharing of ideas, knowledge, and passion for customer excellence.

A huge thank you to Carrfields

Executive Director Greg Carr and Group Managing Director Craig

Carr and family for the commitment and care of the team and customers during the transition. While a difficult decision for the Carr family, it’s also an exciting opportunity as they refocus their business direction on growing the Carrfields brand in their other divisions.

Craig Carr, Group Managing Director Carrfields.

Questions?

Talk to your manager

Email questions@landpower.co.nz

Richard

WHAT’S

INSIDE

2 5 15

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT when disaster strikes.

GOOD TIMES with customers over a cuppa.

FASTER AND BETTER since they put a ring on it.

NEWSLETTER FOR LANDPOWER | CLAAS HARVEST CENTRE TEAM

THE LONG ROAD BACK FROM DISASTER

The recent devastating Cyclone Gabrielle is like nothing ever seen in New Zealand.

Tragically, it claimed the lives of 11 people. Also destroying homes and livelihoods leaving silt, floodwater and mud covering crops, vines and pastures which will take years to recover from.

Our CLAAS Harvest Centre Hawke’s Bay team members were all safe and well, though some were initially cut off from accessing the branch and a few had flooding in and around their homes. But uppermost in their thoughts was the devastation to so many customers across the agriculture, horticulture and viticulture sectors they primarily work in.

The team quickly stepped up and swung into action.

CLAAS Harvest Centre Hawke’s Bay Operations Manager, Wray Wilson takes up the story:

Post cyclone our first priority for our orchard customers was recovering tractors out of the silt; many of which had been completely submerged to over the top of the cab. Quick to pitch in

On the Friday following the cyclone I asked in the Branch Managers’ meeting if anyone had a transporter trailer we could borrow. Within a few short hours, the Bay of Plenty team managed to get through with their delivery truck which, while en route, the Central Districts team loaded up with a trailer and a heap of other supplies including crucial gas bottles and generators. It was absolutely brilliant. Because of that quick and generous response, our team and customers are delighted with what we’ve achieved. The truck and trailer were in constant use from dawn to dusk.

To date we’ve extracted and recovered 50 drowned orchard tractors along with dozens of other implements such as mulchers, mowers and hoes for multiple customers. Despite extensive damage, even we were surprised how the mighty little CLAAS NEXOS fared against other brands which were similarly submerged but seemed to have more water infiltrating their engines.

After three busy weeks, the hugely helpful truck and trailer were returned to their respective branches, with the truck’s final task to deliver an AMAZONE Spreader to Central Districts for their Field Days.

TELL US YOUR STORY.

JCB gets stuck in

Landpower put a brand new JCB 435 at our disposal which did amazing work for our customers and communities. It was trucked in from Waikato and operated by members of our staff. As soon as it arrived, it got straight into clearing mud and silt at the Waiohiki village (on the news due to complete flood inundation - except for a single house).

The JCB did equally important work digging out badly impacted Pakowhai and Puketapu properties (also heavily featured on the news). It cut access tracks and pulled out machinery at T&G (Turners and Growers) orchards, one of the region’s largest growers and employers.

Hawke’s Bay has approximately 63 percent of the country’s pipfruit trees and it is estimated that over 50 percent of these have been affected by the floods. The JCB has been perfect for the job and very flexible –while not able to help everywhere, it still put a substantial 435-sized dent in the work.

We love to hear and share your stories. Email marketing@landpower.co.nz with what you’re up to along with photos for the next issue.

The JCB 435S provided by Landpower busy at work regaining access for very grateful communities and farming operations cut off from others.

THE LONG ROAD BACK FROM DISASTER CONT...

Looking ahead – our priorities to support our customers and look after our people

Our current focus is twofold:

1. Working through the backlog of flooded tractors assessing for repair to determine what is able to be reconditioned or recommending write-off for those too badly impacted; and

2. Keeping up with our normal workload as we’re still in the middle of harvest. Our priority has been to get the CLAAS NEXOS tractors triaged and back out for the apple and grape harvests.

As insurance assessments are completed on machinery, this is also creating another bow wave of work to get through.

Our team performed superbly under pressure – whether in the workshop, engineering, parts, admin or sales – everyone played a part. We’re coping with the workload but assess it week-to-week to decide if we need to reach out across the group for assistance.

IN IT TOGETHER

With an urgent need to get local machinery operational again, but deliveries to the area cut off, Landpower chartered a small aircraft from Christchurch to fly essential items into Napier. That included parts to help restart some machinery to support impacted people, along with food, water, equipment and emergency tools.

FINAL THOUGHTS – HOW YOU CAN HELP

Whilst the rural community is very resilient, the scale of the damage has to be seen to be believed. There has been a huge outpouring of support and assistance and many people turned up with shovels and the like to assist people in need.

A lot of people outside the area ask how they can help. As there appears to be enough donated goods in the district, we’d suggest donating to Federated Farmers who have an adverse events fund directly targeting farmers and growers. Money is probably the most useful now:

https://www.fedfarm.org.nz/FFPublic/Support/ Cyclone-Gabrielle.aspx

After another day of search and recovery of machinery submerged in mud, Gordon Mitchell (Service Technician) and David Marsh (Apprentice Service Technician) look tired but chuffed to have rescued two more tractors. This critical work was made possible thanks to the generosity of CLAAS Harvest Centre Bay of Plenty for their truck and CLAAS Harvest Centre Central Districts for their trailer.

Another long line waiting for attention.

SERVICE WITH A LOT OF SMILES

Around 60 service managers, workshop foremen and service administrators from every corner of Australia came together in Melbourne mid-February for our Australian Service Conference.

A powerhouse programme saw attendees dig into warranty, early warnings, SI’s, WebTIC, CDS, LMT, CLAAS Inspection Pilot, Technical Support Function Structure, AMAZONE Portal and Tools among others.

Conference organiser Ben Kairey (Retail Service ManagerAustralia) joined us mid-2022 and is passionate about the role our service team plays in providing exceptional customer experience.

And he’s not alone. When asked, our suppliers said a rousing ‘Yes’ to speak at the conference. Marcus Schmidt (CLAAS) flew in from WA, Julian Kollmeyer (CLAAS) travelled from Germany, while Chris Bettschen (Väderstad) came from Canada – showing their high regard for our team.

Strengthening Ties

One other benefit was our Landpower-owned and franchiseowned CLAAS Harvest Centre team members getting together to strengthen ties and share knowledge. One other highlight for Ben was the breakout group sessions running massively over time due to so much participation.

A Big Thanks

As well as all attendees, Ben wants to give particular thanks to:

Kahli Lorensini (Administration Assistant) – when the original venue cancelled just two weeks out, Kahli quickly found another.

Emma Muir (Marketing Executive) for all the marketing and conference materials and support.

Mike Parris and the tech support team for their significant contribution to delivering insightful valuable presentations.

While CEO Richard couldn’t attend, he sent a video thanking the team for their world class support, strong service revenue growth, and their role in customer success.

“It was great catching up with a lot of familiar faces but also with new faces. Updates on the supplier and products were well received and modules covered were very informative.”

Geoff Britton, Dealer Principal, CLAAS Harvest Centre Lake Bolac

“Thanks to the Landpower team for the conference, it was very informative and I personally learnt a lot about CLAAS and the other systems.”

Jana Farrell, Aftersales Co-ordinator, CLAAS Harvest Centre Echuca

“It was fantastic to have the chance to talk to our suppliers directly and expand my network in the dealership group.”

Ryan Potts, Service Manager, CLAAS Harvest Centre Esperance

STOP PRESS: A New Zealand Service Conference is in the planning. Watch this space!

Enthusiastic conference speakers from our suppliers (left to right) Chris Bettschen (Väderstad), Marcus Schmidt (CLAAS), and Julian Kollmeyer (CLAAS).

Attendees enjoying another powerhouse presentation.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Group General Manager (Retail) Rob Murphy recently enjoyed spending time with Herby and Pam Whyte visiting our teams and customers in central North Island.

Accompanied by Jarred L’Amie (Waikato Sales Manager), they enjoyed a cuppa with long-time customers, Darcy and Ellis Finch (and family) who brought out their copy of a 1996 Landpower HarvesTimes magazine. This issue had profiled Finch Contracting and their 1991 purchase of the first self-propelled harvester sold by CLAAS in New Zealand (JAGUAR 860). In the article, Darcy said, “We doubled our harvesting capacity in its first season of use.”

MAKING VALUABLE CUSTOMER

CONNECTIONS

CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS

Three days of great weather and an enthusiastic turnout at the recent Central Districts Field Days made the outstanding display all worthwhile for our local CLAAS Harvest Centre team.

WAGGA DEMO DAYS

The CLAAS AXION 930 and Väderstad Topdown went down a treat with customers at CLAAS Harvest Centre Wagga Wagga’s two day demo session.

DALBY DEMO DAYS

Plenty of demos and good conversations were held with the recent CLAAS Harvest Centre Dalby LEXION customer optimisation visits.

Catching up over old times and the 1996 Landpower HarvesTimes magazine (in front of Rob) which featured Finch Contracting.

Darcy and Ellis Finch welcoming Pam and Herby for a visit.

5 MINUTES WITH… MICHELLE NICOLAI

Our children live in New Zealand. We became residents in 2021 and are very happy to be almost ‘half-way’ to becoming citizens. We just bought our first house in Dunedin which I’m thrilled about.

What gives you a buzz about your role?

I’m very honoured to be a part of such a prestigious company. This is a new chapter in my career - I love learning and absorbing new product information.

What’s the best thing about your team?

Their skill and knowledge is fantastic. They’re very committed and loyal to the company and I’m fortunate to have such an abundant wealth of information around me.

Welcome Michelle as our recently appointed Regional Branch Manager for Otago to head our Allanton (Dunedin), Ranfurly, and Wanaka branches.

Michelle has significant international experience in sales, branch, and regional management and since moving with family to New Zealand has worked for Gough CAT and Norwood. Michelle loves learning, is fascinated by people and holds a degree in Psychology and Counselling and a diploma in Management Development, along with numerous industry qualifications.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m South African by birth and cut my teeth in the construction industry straight out of school. I worked in the construction / heavy industry until 2018 when I was offered a role at Terra Cat Power Systems (formerly Gough Power Systems) in Palmerston North while holidaying there with my husband.

Which Our Way speaks to you the most, and why?

All of them:

In It Together means TEAM — Together Everyone Achieves More.

Keep Growing - no one wants to stagnate personally and professionally.

Front Up - be honest, be transparent be real. Say ‘I do not know but would love to learn’.

What do you do when you’re not at work?

I love art and Moroccan and Middle Eastern cooking after having worked in those countries. (My son-in-law wants to enter me in My Kitchen Rules!)

What’s on your bucket list?

To take my husband to all the Middle East places I’ve been to several times. I love the culture – the sociopolitical climate is intriguing, the landscape is so different (mostly desert), and the food is amazing.

Michelle (second from right) with the Allanton team.

CANTERBURY TEAM PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS TO DELIVER TO CUSTOMERS

The global shipping crisis has widely impacted our teams working hard to support customers. There’s been plenty of In It Together along with Front Up conversations and solutions to help our farmers get what they needed when they needed it.

General Manager of CLAAS Harvest Centre Canterbury, Tom Denton says their combine shipment normally arrives late October/early November so the team has time to ready the machines for the upcoming harvest.

Despite this shipment arriving 15 January, Tom says the team still “rose to the occasion” and delivered 20 new combines to our customers before 3 February.

“This is nothing short of remarkable, considering the short amount of time they had to prepare and deliver the machines to farms across the country.”

Tom attributes that extraordinary result to customer commitment, hard work and attention to detail. With a big thanks to everyone involved, Tom says, “the farmers now have the best equipment to get the job done efficiently and effectively.”

PRE-HARVEST CUSTOMER BOOSTER

Our Canterbury CLAAS Harvest Centre team held their annual Lexion and MacDon Training Days at their Tinwald (Ashburton) site late last year.

Around 50 very appreciative combine owners and operators came away with increased knowledge on how to get the best out of their new or used combine for the 2022-2023 harvest.

Also on site was the Carr Family Foundation’s Rural Health and Wellness van with a registered nurse offering health checks to all participants.

A well attended and much appreciated event, rounded off with a tour of the local Ashburton Aviation Museum then dinner at a local winery.

One of the new combines up and running in South Canterbury.

They’re here! Ready and waiting at Lyttelton Port.

SAFETY MATTERS

Thank You For Helping Keep Each Other Safe and Well.

The Safer Together Workers’ Forum is a valuable opportunity for our teams to communicate, share, explore and support each other in our safety issues – big and small. We’re blown away by the positive response to our call out for 2023 forum members, and are all geared up to get to work.

But first, please join me in giving a huge thanks to our departing forum members. They’ve all put their heart into bettering the health, safety and wellbeing of youour people.

New year, renewed focus

As we prepare for our first forum meetings for 2023, we warmly welcome new members and thank returning members for putting their hands up to make a difference.

Our members are from a wide range of business locations (Harvest Centre branches and Landpower support centres across Australasia), departments and roles. We’re very thankful for their passion for safety and wellbeing, and their willingness to share information and improve practices across our network. By working together to support continual improvement, they’re raising awareness to keep our people safe.

You don’t need to be a forum member to help your workmates

Keeping our people safe is everyone’s responsibility. We know our people all want to look after each other to make sure we all get home safe and well, back to our family and friends at the end of the day.

Please reach out to our forum members or your local Health & Safety team at any time with your ideas, feedback and concerns – they’re on the frontline just like you - to make sure all our voices are heard.

NEW ZEALAND FORUM

Leaving members from 2022

Ryan Hodgkinson Parts Landpower NZ

Sam Halliwell Technical Landpower NZ

Alex Denby Parts CLAAS Harvest Centre Bay of Plenty

Returning

members for 2023

Willy Stewart Parts Landpower NZ

Tenda Gono Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Northland

Kelvin Bennett Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Waikato

Steve Roylance Management CLAAS Harvest Centre Taranaki

Harry Whitta Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Central Districts

Mark Petersen Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Southland

Peter Henderson Sales CLAAS Harvest Centre Southland

New members for 2023

Steve Gorman Product Landpower NZ

Warren Longman Parts CLAAS Harvest Centre Waikato

Craig McDonald Sales CLAAS Harvest Centre Bay of Plenty

Kelly Thomson Admin CLAAS Harvest Centre Otago (Dunedin)

Phil Bailey Parts CLAAS Harvest Centre Otago (Dunedin)

Etienne van Niekerk Parts CLAAS Harvest Centre Otago (Wanaka)

Murray Miller Sales CLAAS Harvest Centre Otago (Wanaka) Forum Support Team NZ

Kylie Petronio Safety & Wellbeing Business Partner

Rob Murphy Group General Manager - Retail

B de Zwart General ManagerPeople and Culture

Greg Ferguson General ManagerRetail New Zealand

Mike Anderson Retail Operations Manager

Kylie Petronio Safety & Wellbeing Business Partner

AUSTRALIA FORUM

Leaving members from 2022

Thomas Glaves Service Landpower AU

Rick Spies Management CLAAS Harvest Centre Dalby

Jake Edwards Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Dalby

Donna Rasmussen Admin CLAAS Harvest Centre Dalby

Mark Neyland Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Wagga Wagga

Pauline Graewe Parts CLAAS Harvest Centre Gippsland

Pieter Prinsloo Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Northam

Ryan Potts Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Esperance

Returning members for 2023

Andrew Kearns Management CLAAS Harvest Centre Wagga Wagga

Cameron Davidson Parts CLAAS Harvest Centre South Gippsland

Travis Menghini Management CLAAS Harvest Centre Katanning

Leeann Arthur Admin CLAAS Harvest Centre Katanning

Sasha Curnow Admin CLAAS Harvest Centre Esperance

GO SAFE, GO MANGO

Mango is where we all record health and safetyrelated activities to help keep us all safe. Stuff like:

New members for 2023

Neil Wigley Product Landpower AU

Brad Jasper Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Dalby

Nicholas Pope Parts CLAAS Harvest Centre Dalby

Karen Vane Admin CLAAS Harvest Centre Dalby

Chanel Du Preez Admin CLAAS Harvest Centre Gippsland

Peter Rowe Service CLAAS Harvest Centre Northam

Forum Support Team AU

Kylie Petronio Safety & Wellbeing Business Partner

Rob Murphy Group General Manager - Retail

B de Zwart General ManagerPeople and Culture

James Laidlaw General ManagerRetail Australia

Ben Kairey Retail Service Manager (Australia)

I’ve identified a hazard; where do I report this?

I’ve been injured at work; where do I report this?

I just got my forklift licence: where do I record this?

One of my team has completed training and gained a new skill; where do I record this?

Our lifting chains have just undergone their scheduled integrity testing; where do I record this?

A kangaroo (cow, sheep, pig) has damaged my company vehicle; where do I record this?

Learn more about Mango and make the most out of it on our Harvest Hub intranet

Kylie is enjoying spending time with our teams as part of supporting their safety and wellbeing journeys. Kylie (second from right) in Wanaka with (l-r) Etienne Van Niekerk, Nick Broughton, and George Chapman.

HERBY AND PAM’S GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP OF CRITICAL LIFESAVER

Herby says, “It fits perfectly for Landpower – the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter service is critical to our people and customers across the lower South Island and the opportunity to give back to the community we started in is truly an honour.”

Landpower Group recently became Platinum sponsor of the Otago and Southland Rescue Helicopters.

Herby and Pam’s very generous five-year sponsorship will make a huge difference to this world-class life-saving service. Some facts from the Trustees include:

In 2022 there were 1,909 missions for often desperate situations across the lower South Island.

The Trust funds development of instrument flight rules (IFR) routes so missions can be flown where poor visibility would otherwise prevent response.

This is the largest and busiest service in New Zealand (which comes with a hefty price tag).

Herby and Pam have personally experienced how critical this service is. Their son-in-law in Arrowtown had a major heart attack in December 2019 at 5am. Ambulanced to the Frankton hospital within 30 minutes, the Rescue Helicopter Service then flew Ross to Dunedin Hospital. By 7.30am (just 2.5 hours after his heart attack) Ross had been operated on and was in the recovery ward. Herby says, “this wonderful rescue service saved Ross’s life, for which our family is eternally grateful.”

Herby and Pam at the official signing with Trustees of the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust and CLAAS Harvest Centre team members.

5 MINUTES WITH… JAMES HARRISON

James is a familiar name (and face) to many. In fact you could call him the ‘poster boy’ for Keep Growing with his recent appointment as Branch Manager for CLAAS Harvest Centre Geraldton about to take him full circle.

When James joined us in 2017 he started in Geraldton in service, then sales, before becoming Product ManagementHigh HP Tractors in early 2021 and moving to Melbourne.

Throughout this time James has successfully supported the growth of the High HP product range to where it is today, and he is excited about continuing the momentum and heading back west to maximise growth in the Northern WA region.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Me and my wife Toni moved to Geraldton from the UK in 2017, we had our twin boys in January 2020. We spent two years working in Melbourne and are now moving back to Geraldton.

What gives you a buzz about your role?

Increasing the brand awareness and providing solutions to customers. Being out in the field with customers and machinery gives me great job satisfaction.

Which Our Way speaks to you the most, and why?

Keep Growing – as a brand and as a dealership, we have huge potential to grow in our area.

What do you do when you’re not at work?

As a family we enjoy our coastal lifestyle and getting away camping. I also enjoy riding my motorbike.

What’s on your bucket list?

One day I would like to do a lap of Australia with the family. What would make today great?

Achieving what I set out to do and making sure my team and customers are happy.

GETTING UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

The recent ‘Touch a Truck’ community day in Northland was a roaring success. When approached by the organisers to get involved, CLAAS Harvest Centre Northland Branch Manager Shane Powley and the team were only too glad to help.

Service Technician Josh Gregory took a used stock ARION 650-50 CEBIS to the event and hung out to help visitors get up close and personal with the gear. Despite the recent rough weather, the day was sunny, noisy and busy with around 4,500 kids and families there. This important fundraiser also raised $10K for the local Kamo and Ngunguru Volunteer Fire Brigades.

James in his ‘happy place’ talking AU 2022 Sales Conference goers through the finer details of an AXION 960 TERRA TRAC.

SPREAD THE WORD - AMAZONE SPREADER CAMP 2023 IS COMPLETE

It was three days of all things AMAZONE Fertiliser Spreading for 37 team members from throughout the wider Australian network 7-9 February. Blair McAlwee, AMAZONE Product Manager (Landpower Australia) says it was a fantastic Keep Growing opportunity to build skills and knowledge.

Day 1: Meet the Models

We learnt about the AMAZONE fertilizer spreading range of models and how sales and service team members could leverage updates to the MySpreader IoS and Android App.

Day 2: In the Field

First the filling aid was shown on the ZA-TS and ZG-TS where the lights flash to help the operator know when the target weight is achieved.

Johannes Herold (AMAZONE) and Russ McCagh (Product Specialist – Seed Hawk and Väderstad) demonstrated the Auto TS border spreading system working on a ZG-TS trailed spreader.

Team members rotated around three workshops to learn how to commission, calibrate and review the spreading procedure of different models. Emphasis was put on getting the lateral distribution or Coefficient of Variation (CoV) correct. CoV measures how evenly the fertiliser spreads: the lower the value, the more even the spread and the better the results for the farmer/grower.

Day 3: Interfacing and Interacting

The focus was on ISOBUS, GPS and interfacing different machinery brands. The new AMAZONE GPS scenario control option was reviewed with Tim Neale (Data Farming) talking about VRA (Variable Rate Application) and the data layers used.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS

A 20-question quiz to test attendees’ knowledge saw three winners take the spoils:

1st (with 17 points): Aidan Freeman gets a discount off an AMAZONE spreader in stock for his Swayn & McCabe dealership in Warrnambool

2nd (with 14 points): Nathan Wright from McPhersons, Agricultural Equipment Holdings in NSW took home a custom AMAZONE branded Leatherman Multitool.

3rd (with 13 points): Alan (Paddy) Murphy from Swayn & McCabe in Ballarat took home two models of AMAZONE machinery: the original ZA linkage spreader and the newest ZG-TS trailed spreader.

On site and raring to go.

Day 2: in the field.

SPREAD THE WORDAMAZONE SPREADER CAMP 2023 IS COMPLETE CONT...

KEEP GROWING –SEED HAWK SKILLS

Growing our knowledge to grow our customer support was the end goal for the team behind the recent Seed Hawk iCon systems training.

The two-day training event was run in mid-February by Phil Hobbs (Technical Specialist - Spraying, Spreading, Seeding and Tillage) in Warracknabeal, Victoria.

BIG IN IT TOGETHER THANKS TO

James Harrison for bumping in the machinery and commissioning the CLAAS Tractors, Russ McCagh for facilitating the training and Ben Payne, Mick Beale, Phil Hobbs, Howard McDonald and Ian Hockaday for their help throughout.

Emma Muir (Marketing) and Natalie Lilley and Kahli Lorenseni (Landpower Australia Administration) for organising accommodation, flights, and training materials.

Special thanks to Johannes Herold from AMAZONE for helping us around our Australian dealerships. He created the training content and gave us a high level AMAZONE injection. We look forward to welcoming Johannes back again very soon!

Big thanks to everyone who helped pull the event together and nail down the moving parts including ensuring a machine on site for service technicians to get hands-on.

The team gets in amongst it at the recent sprayer training on our Melbourne site.

Grinning winner, Aidan Freeman.

SOLID CARROT GOLD WITH GRIMME VISIT

From its humble beginnings as a forge in 1861 GRIMME is now a world leader in the potato, beet and vegetable sectors. That’s one of many facts shared by Paul Rechtien (Grimme Area Sales Manager - Overseas) during his recent New Zealand visit. While catching up with the Vegetable Centre and Landpower teams, Paul added:

GRIMME is very much a family business with the Grimme family actively involved day to day.

Grimme Group has 2,850 employees in 30 countries in 18 different professions including 130 apprentices/ student learners.

GRIMME and subsidiary ASA-LIFT have over 150 machinery types to suit local crop and harvesting needs worldwide.

Innovations in the pipeline include the hot topic of selfpropelled technology.

Paul was hosted by Roger Nehoff (GRIMME Operations Manager - New Zealand) and Nigel Prattley (Product Manager – GRIMME) and visited a number of Canterbury growers to gain a better understanding of the New Zealand market.

First of four self-propelled harvesters delivered Roger says the VA270TT has been ordered to the customer’s specification with extra cleaning ability to handle the toughest conditions harvesting juicing carrots throughout the winter months.

It is equipped with the latest designed GRIMME/ ASA- LIFT carrot topper with four hydraulic cylinders on each wheel ensuring precise ground following. With the track design and cleaning ability, after heavy rain the VARITRON was the only machine that could harvest and supply the factory with carrots. (All other harvesters were parked up waiting for better weather!).

BOWLED OVER

of green recently as part

a social

Australian CLAAS Harvest Centre Branch Managers and Landpower Australia team members tackled a different field

of

lawn bowls outing. N ot a harvester in sight!

(left to right) Roger, Paul and Nigel with the first of four self-propelled harvesters being delivered over the next few months. The second photo is the same harvester now hard at work in the field.

THEY PUT A RING ON IT

Led by New Zealand Warehouse Manager, Dave Cookson, the Christchurch team has been exploring technology to increase efficiency and minimise customer downtime by getting ordered parts out as quickly as possible.

During harvest season, the team dispatches over 500 lines across 300 orders daily. Plus around 7,000 items are put on shelves each month. So any increase in efficiency, comfort, timesaving and safety is welcomed.

From Handheld to Ring Finger Solution? A new RF barcode ring scanner worn on a finger and paired with a wrist-mounted unit. Working with Zebra Technologies Dave says, “we trialed lots of new hardware but the TC52 with wrist strap paired RS5100 ring scanner were the clear winners”.

“This is a total hands-free package. It allows users to move freely and improves efficiency in all work where an RF scanner is required. As with most hardware upgrades the software needs to catch up for major benefits.”

What the team says

The selection and testing of these wearable devices involved the whole Christchurch team. And they wholeheartedly agree that having two hands free are better than one - especially in the busy season.

With two TC52 and four ring scanners in the Christchurch Parts Distribution Centre they’re seeing great efficiencies in despatch to inwards, stocktaking and relocating.

Following its successful implementation, Dave and crew look forward to sharing learnings across the Group.

QUIZ: THINK YOU KNOW YOUR PARTS?

1. What’s the most common part ordered at the Christchurch Warehouse?

2. And how many of that part has been ordered in the last three years?

3. How many stock lines are held in the Christchurch Warehouse?

4. Can you make a CLAAS machine from the parts stored in the Warehouse?

Answers on page 18.

It’s been some time since our Trans-Tasman Landpower parts teams have been able to meet due to Covid. So the February get-together was a valuable chance to talk all things parts – past, current and exciting future. (left to right) Standing: Van Dang, Peter Jones, Dave Cookson, Mark Lay, Andrew Hurley, Duane Courtney, Peter Dodd, and John Lorensini. Kneeling: Gavin Wellwood, Zane Tobin-White, and Lisa Olds.

G’DAY… COME ON OVER

With a record number of 25 qualified service technicians from the Northern Hemisphere here over summer, it’s been our biggest-ever Dealer Technician Exchange Programme.

This is the programme’s tenth year with these valuable sabbaticals made possible by our close supplier and key industry contact relationships worldwide.

Local Presence, Global Impact

The benefits are massive. The global exchange of highcalibre technical skills, leading-edge knowledge and goodwill lifts everyone including our customers and the agricultural industry. Our team and visitors also get to know other’s cultures - in some cases building valuable lifelong connections and friendships.

Team Effort

But it takes close collaboration between Landpower People & Culture (P&C), host branches and our suppliers to make it happen.

There’s a lot to it. From night owl (online meet’ n’ greets in northern time zones), ‘matchmaking’ (so host branches get technicians with skills to suit their customers’ needs) to legal eagle (for spotless contracts/visas) and then ‘Mother Hen’ (overseeing our visitors’ wellbeing - many who have never left home before).

This year’s biggest challenge wasn’t just the recordsized programme. The weather playing havoc with harvest timetables meant a continual flurry of moving the techs around the network to where they were most needed over the ever-changing harvest time. Huge thanks to everyone who pulled out the stops to make it happen.

WHAT OUR VISITING TECHS SAID

“…absolutely brilliant. It has honestly been one of the best experiences I have ever had.”

“I have learned so much and also taught others. It has allowed me to become more confident in my ability of skills and has been a real booster for me.”

Lewis (UK) and Ansgar (Germany) in CLAAS Harvest Centre Geraldton.

Mads O and Mads K – both from Denmark, their birthdays are one day apart and both were based at CLAAS Harvest Centre Waikato. Uncanny!

BACK SLAPPING CONGRATS TO…

…OUR APPRENTICES WHO RECENTLY GRADUATED:

QUINN SHAW

Qualified in February 2023

CLAAS Harvest Centre Otago

ZAK RUSSELL

Qualified in March 2023

CLAAS Harvest Centre Otago

RHYS DAVIS

Qualified in December 2022

CLAAS Harvest Centre Katanning

EDWARD (TERRY) NEWMAN

Qualified in December 2022

CLAAS Harvest Centre Katanning

THE NEED FOR SPEED

The CLAAS Harvest Centre Bay of Plenty team enjoyed a well-deserved break from a very disruptive season for team building with a few laughs… and just a bit of competition.

Originally scheduled for Christmas, the bad weather saw the outing to Rotorua’s Skyline Skyrides luge postponed until earlier this year. But this just built the anticipation further. And then they were off! ‘Best crash’ was taken out by Mikee (Service Technician, Mike Te Tamaki) while Phil Hayes (Service Assistant) took out the top spot as overall racer, using all his years of experience to impress with his speed.

Booted, suited and ready to rock ‘n roll down the luge.

And they’re off!

Quinn Shaw

Zak Russell

Andrew McNeillqualified in October 2022.

WELCOME ABOARD

New Starters

Aiden Johnson, Service Technician, South Gippsland

Ben Clare, Service Assistant (fixed term), Central Districts

Cameron Barfoot, Technical Specialist – CLAAS Tractors (NZ), Christchurch

Cameron McIntosh, Parts Store Person, Christchurch

Carly Pettigrew, Apprentice Service Technician, Esperance

Chris Rutherford, Data Warehouse/Business Intelligence Developer, Christchurch

David Beard, Apprentice Service Technician, Wagga Wagga

Duncan Nicolson, Sales Representative, Otago

Garry Maher, Freight Transfer Driver (casual), Esperance

George Chapman, Yardman, Otago

Hamish Hassall, Product & Demonstrations Coordinator, Southland

Isaac Mitchell, Service Assistant (fixed term), Taranaki

Jason Fahey, Service Technician, Otago

Kent Arthur, Field Service Specialist – Eastern AU, Melbourne

Leone Swanepoel, Service Administrator, Southland

Lexi Pringle, Apprentice Service Technician, Northam

Liam Du Plessis, Apprentice Parts Interpreter, Bay of Plenty

Mads Otte, Service Technician (fixed term, exchange programme), Waikato

Mads Kristiansen, Service Technician (fixed term, exchange programme), Waikato

Martin Chudomel, Systems Administrator, Christchurch

Michael Grant, Apprentice Service Technician, Waikato

Michelle Nicolai, Regional Branch Manager – Otago, Otago

Mick Marwick, Parts Interpreter, Geraldton

Nick Jacob, Helpdesk Support Analyst, Christchurch

Peter Rowe, Workshop Foreman, Geraldton

Richard Scott, Product Specialist, Esperance

Sian Goodall, Learning & Development Coordinator, Christchurch

Taylar Whight, Reception/Administration Assistant, Christchurch

Thomas Magagnotti, Apprentice Service Technician, Esperance

Welcome Back

Jack Jordan-Hill, Product Specialist – LEXION, Melbourne

Neils Kleven, Service Technician, Waikato

Paul Gill, Service Technician, Otago

On the Move

Angela Magtangob appointed to permanent role of Parts Interpreter, Esperance

Chris Taylor promoted from Service Technician to Workshop Foreman, Invercargill

David Blanchett, Service Technician, transferred from Dalby to Katanning

Emma Muir promoted from Marketing & Communications Coordinator to Marketing Executive, Christchurch

Mark Petersen promoted from Service Technician to Workshop Foreman, Gore

Vess Geldenhuys appointed temporarily as Acting Branch Manager, Waikato

LONG SERVICE

A huge thank you to the following team members for their combined 110 years of service!

35 years

Peter Jones, Group Parts Manager, Melbourne

15 years

Tony Brett, Sales Specialist, Central Districts

10 years

Kevin Folley, Parts Manager, Bay of Plenty

Mark Petersen, Workshop Foreman, Southland

5 years

Annie Koch, Warranty Administrator, Christchurch

Carly Shaw, Learning & Organisational Development Specialist, Christchurch

Greg Ferguson, General Manager – Retail New Zealand, Christchurch

Haydon Martin, Product Manager – Landpower Vegetable Centre, Melbourne

James Harrison, Product Manager – High Horse Power Tractor, Melbourne

Jamie Walker, Agricultural Parts Storeperson, Christchurch

Peter Doolan, Service Manager, South Gippsland

Ryan Hodgkinson, Agricultural Parts Storeperson, Christchurch

PARTS QUIZ ANSWERS

1. What’s the most common part ordered at the Christchurch Warehouse? [CLAAS Mower Knives]

2. And how many of that part has been ordered in the last three years? [102,000 – 51,000 of the left ones and 51,000 of the right ones!]

3. How many stock lines are held in the Christchurch Warehouse? [31,000 across all supplier brands]

4. Can you make a CLAAS machine from the parts stored in the Warehouse? [NO – it would have to be 4 or 5 times bigger to store them all!]

CONGRATULATIONS PETER

JONES –35 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG!

When Group Parts Manager Peter Jones first joined us in 1988, Herby and Pam Whyte had only started Landpower (then Farmrite) 18 years earlier. We asked Peter to take us for a wander down his 35-year memory lane.

How did you get started here?

I grew up in a rural Manawatu town (central North Island) with family involved in farming. My wife’s family are dairy farmers.

I started working with CLAAS machinery in 1982 with the then New Zealand CLAAS importer, AM Bisley & Co. Bisleys changed hands a couple of times before Herby took over CLAAS in 1987.

What has been your 35-year career path?

I stayed on and worked for Herby mainly in parts, but also service, sales, and managed a branch for 18 months.

In 1997 I transferred to Melbourne (with wife Helen, and two children) to help set up and manage the parts operation as National Parts Manager.

On 1 January 1998, Landpower started with CLAAS in Australia looking after hay machinery products, JAGUAR and existing combine owners. Around 2016, I became Group Parts Manager with a Trans-Tasman parts responsibility.

NEW STARTER

35 YEARS

What do you enjoy most here?

Working with the team - it’s the people that make it enjoyable. Also being part of a company that goes the extra mile, and being involved (my small part) in a company that continues to grow while focused on supporting farmers.

What keeps you excited after all these years?

Part of my role focuses on improvements to operate smarter and provide great support to all customers (internal and external). I enjoy it when we provide a new system/solution benefitting everyone.

After 25 years in Australia, have you stayed connected to New Zealand?

Family is important and when we can, we often visit them back in New Zealand. My daughter is disabled and requires ongoing support, so I am often involved in supporting her.

Favourite AFL team? Collingwood Magpies

Favourite rugby team? All Blacks of course!

15 YEARS

10 YEARS

A big Wagga Wagga welcome to newly signed-on first-year apprentice David Beard.

Liam Kissick, Taranaki (left).

Tony Brett, Central Districts (right).

NOTICEBOARD

YOU’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG

Mick Beale (Technical Service Manager - Eastern Australia) says his gorgeous (and curious) granddaughter Ariella Rose George is already putting in the hours on her CLAAS tractor. Go Ariella!

CLAASY CAKE

What does every three year old want for their birthday?

A CLAAS tractor and trailer cake (of course). Lucky Theo John Hughes had Dad (John Hughes, Service Technican - Mosgiel) and Mum Emily on the job. Happy birthday Theo.

CARNIVAL GOLD CUP

WEDDING BELLS

Congratulations to Ritu Singh (Financial Accountant, Landpower) who recently said ‘I Do’ with new husband Gagan. Ritu says they had a very traditional wedding due to the importance of having all family members at the occasion. She adds that Indian marriages are known for being elaborate with multiple ceremonies and rituals over a few days - and Ritu’s was no different. Each ceremony has unique significance with family and friends coming together to celebrat e the joyous occasion. Ritu says, “It was the most beautiful day for us, and we couldn’t have wished for anything better.”

The Wagga Gold Cup is the biggest local social event of the year. And our own Ash Heydon (Admin Manager) was selected this year to represent Wagga Wagga, the Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) and CLAAS Harvest Centre Wagga as Face of The Carnival for 2023. Ash (centre) will attend a range of carnival events and appear on all the promotional material in the year ahead. With Ash are (left to right) CLAAS Harvest Centre Sales Representative Murray Higman and Naomi Higman, along with Tracey Bowyer and Branch Manager Andrew Kearns, at the MTC 100 Club Gala Night in February.