Customers, sta and suppliers celebrate impressive new branch opening

from Farmers Guide February 2023

AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT HIRE ENGINEERING & SALES

The Claas Eastern team enjoyed a very successful open evening in late November, attended by large numbers of customers from across the Ulceby branch trading area. David Williams was there.

The new state-of-the-art Ulceby Cross branch has been built on a green eld site, adjacent to the previous premises which the dealer had long since outgrown. “The location is absolutely ideal,” explained Claas Eastern sales director, Will Tuxworth. “We considered several alternative locations during the years prior to purchasing the additional land at Ulceby, but kept coming back to here. It’s in the centre of our trading area, on a roundabout with major roads providing superb access for suppliers and customers. It couldn’t be better.”

When the original building opened in February 1996, much less space was needed. “Trading as RW Marsh at that time, we had a team of only six, and the workshop with space for one combine and two tractors was quite adequate,” continued Will. “Business has increased, we have larger machinery, and the new premises has a workshop more than six times the size and open plan. There is also a showroom with space for tractors and implements, plus a dedicated parts area and large o ces for sales, service, parts and administration sta . There is lots of space for parking and storage outside and room for future expansion when we need it.”

Best back-up

The new branch construction started in April 2021, and the Ulceby team transferred from the previous building during summer last year. There were

15 sta at the time of moving, but by the time of the open evening in late November three more had joined, and Will said that more will be taken on as the right people become available.

“As we sell more products we must be able to back them up, and limited space and the working conditions were the main issue previously. Even though we needed more service sta , we lacked the space to accommodate them. This business was built on providing the very best aftersales service. We have 12 service technicians, but are keen to recruit more – some with experience and others starting out through the Claas UK Apprenticeship scheme.”

Farming within the 20-mile radius serviced by the branch is mainly arable, but also includes mixed farms with livestock. Most of the land is at, including black fen, but there are also steep hills in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Excellent support

The open evening also marked the Ulceby branch’s o cial opening and Will said that the level of interest and support from customers was incredible.

“It was a fabulous evening and an ideal opportunity to introduce our team members and showcase what we do. We have an excellent portfolio of major franchises to complement Claas and enjoy strong customer loyalty with a high level of repeat business. Our caterers supplied more than 450 bread rolls for the hog roast, and they ran out much earlier than expected. The attendance was well in excess of 400 people.”

Ribbon cutting

Claas senior vice president (Western Europe & Oceania), Trevor Tyrrell performed the o cial opening by cutting the ribbon. He explained that customer support for the Ulceby Cross branch had been strong since trading started at the location 26 years ago.

“It was one of the rst newgeneration dealer outlets to exceed £10M turnover – and that was back in 2012,” he stressed. “It remains one of our top performing branches and the strong relationship with customers in the area has allowed Claas to purchase this site and invest in the state-of-the-art facilities. With room for future expansion, Claas will continue reinvesting pro ts as the business continues to grow.

“Will and his team provide excellent service, and the Claas UK Apprentice programme will ensure that the right people join the business going forward. Looking after customers and their machinery is always the priority, and approximately 70% of the new branch area is dedicated to aftersales service.

“Ongoing investment in property, vehicles and, most importantly, people re ects our on-going commitment to our customers. They invest in us when they buy Claas machinery and, in return, we invest our pro ts to ensure the very best after-sales service is provided.”

Pichon tankers

The event was also used to announce that Pichon slurry tankers have been added to the dealer’s list of carefully selected suppliers. Pichon was bought by Samson in 2019, but until now the brands were supplied through separate dealers in the UK.

“We have represented Samson since 2017 and, with the very highest speci cation and a premium price tag, these tankers appeal mainly to large-scale farmers and contractors handling slurry and other liquids intensively,” Claas Eastern franchise manager, Richard Sharman told Farmers Guide

“Pichon tankers are also very good quality, and for those who don’t require quite the same high performance of the Samson products, they o er a cost-e ective alternative. Our sales teams are very

The Pichon slurry tanker franchise is new to Claas Eastern and will complement the existing Samson tanker franchise, providing an a ordable alternative for those who want top build quality, but who don’t need the higher-level speci cation and fastest cycle times. Pictured are Samson and Pichon export sales manager Lars Poulsen (left) with Richard Sharman.

…from previous page pleased to have two such respected brands to o er their customers.”

Established franchises including

Maximum productivity

Horsch and Lemken were also represented at the event and product specialists were busy throughout, discussing features and bene ts with interested customers.

Compliments continue

Will said that the open evening success was due to the e orts of the Claas Eastern team members and representatives from the major suppliers. “Our unit managers and their teams made the arrangements for the evening and enjoyed the opportunity to entertain customers and showthem around the new premises.

Many visitors complimented the new facilities during the evening, and since the event. This investment by Claas con rms that we are a successful business and will be staying in business –supporting customers in this area in the future.” FG

Claas invests heavily in its EASY precision farming products and services, and Claas Eastern machinery demonstrator and installation specialist, Will Stamp explained that the latest Cemis 1200 terminal has made it much easier for customers to obtain maximum productivity from their machines.

Will has been in the role for three years and works at the Claas Eastern Brigg depot looking after customers in the area south of the Humber.

“Before starting here I hadn’t used Claas, but I know now that our tractors will compete with anything else in the market,” he said. “The CMatic CVT transmission o ers real advantages over competitor versions, and when we’ve had two tractor brands in the same eld doing the same task – the Claas Arion and Axion tractors are clearly superior.”

Hoes and cultivators selling well

Lemken area sales manager Craig Brown enjoyed a busy evening and said that Claas Eastern has recently added Lemken fertiliser applicators to the product lines available, replacing a competitor brand. He said demand for ploughs and power-harrow drills remains constant from growers in the area, and that Steketee hoes and interrow cultivators are also selling well. “The Steketee brand is well known to Lincolnshire farmers, and as continuing labour shortages create problems for weed control in vegetable crops, more growers are considering our tractormounted hoes as an alternative. Recent interest has been in inter-plant hoes for pumpkins, brassicas and salad crops too. Automation increases the work rates possible dramatically, and we have guidance systems using multiple cameras where the best image is automatically selected to use.

“A new weed harrow was shown for the rst time at the Sima show in November, and this is a practical option for larger-scale operations and crops with narrow seed spacings, as an alternative to chemical weed controls.”

Establishment exibility

Horsch sprayer specialist Ian Gri n (left) is pictured with sprayer after-sales service specialist Lawrence Gould. “Claas Eastern took on the Horsch sprayers franchise three years ago, and year-on-year sales continue to increase,” said Ian. “The sales and service teams are very familiar with our products, and the support available for customers is superb.

“Our sprayer range includes types and capacities to suit all types and sizes of farm in the trading area, and the partnership with Claas Eastern works well.”

Horsch seeding and cultivations specialist, Gareth Burgess (not pictured) was also at the event. He explained that the Avatar drill continues to sell in large numbers to farmers in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire through all the Claas Eastern branches. “It’s ideal for farmers heading towards zero-tillage, but who still want the exibility to establish crops after cultivations which can be essential for weed control, soil loosening or following root crops.

“There is a de nite emphasis on shallower cultivations and the Joker remains very popular – including operating with a subsoiler as a system. For those needing intensive cultivations, we have products for them too –including the new Fortis tine cultivator for working at greater depth.”

Connected services

Connected services specialist, Mark Palmer advises on telematics, remote services and GPS steering systems – looking after customers of all seven Claas Eastern depots. “I was previously in the workshops at the Ulceby Cross and Sleaford branches, so had a good understanding of the product line-up,” he explained. “Many Claas customers are forward thinking and keen to use technology to help them get more from their machinery investments.

“Bene ts of Claas telematics include remote diagnosis of technical problems through error codes which can help our workshop teams to be proactive – identifying issues before they cause downtime by rectifying potential faults during routine servicing.

“Combine telematics accurately monitor yields for each farm location, and the data can be analysed whenever it is needed, including at quieter times after harvest.

“Customers can also use telematics to monitor and analyse eld and transport operations and identify opportunities for time and fuel savings. The Claas system is very user-friendly. It provides all the data customers need without being overcomplex.”

Battery boosters in demand

Sealey tools have been available from Claas Eastern branches since spring 2022, and East Midlands area sales manager, Robert Kenyon said that the range has been well received by customers. “A large proportion of sales are seasonal, so LED lighting and battery booster packs are in demand currently,” he explained. “Lithium-ion battery packs have made a real di erence to the size and convenience of these electric products, and we have a hand-held battery booster which will start a 6-litre petrol, or 4-litre diesel engine up to eight times between charges. These also include a phone charger and light and are small enough to keep in vehicles, and we have two versions – the RS800 costs £74.95 and the RS1200 can start even bigger engines and costs £119.95.”