COMING SOON Full details on how the readers of Service Dealer can vote for the machines, the innovations, the companies and the people who have shaped the garden machinery and outdoor power equipment industry over the past decades
DIARY DATE The winners of the Heritage Awards will be revealed at a special event at SALTEX on Tuesday 6 September. More details later.
SERVICE DEALER BUSINESS QUARTERLY Published April, June, September and December 2013
A special dinner was held at Cranfield University last night to mark CEO Chris Whetnall's 'retirement'. The date had been chosen to co-incide with his last day in office - but recently the newly appointed CEO designate decided not to take up the post - so the event was billed as Chris Whetnall's Inaugural Retirement Dinner!
Hosted by current IAgrE President Andy Newbold, the evening was lighted-hearted and included a number of whimsical tributes from the likes of Roger Lane Nott, Peter Leech, Ray Clay, Richard Trevarthen and Geoff Freedman.
Chris himself replied by showing a number of slides of his career starting with his early days as a technician (can't use the word mechanic) with John Deere dealer Penfolds in Sussex, his time working in Kenya, Fiji and other overseas locations - and candid shots of colleagues at IAgrE and even a shot of his famous desk with its unique filing system (eg cluttered).
Chris and his wife Rosemary were then presented with a number of dog/puppy related gifts, cut a celebration cake and was even given a John Deere cap from Peter Leech (not forgetting his roots) to wear in his beachside hammock when fully retired.
