RON MILLER JOINS HAYES GM
'Retiree' joins North Devon dealership
Well known industry figure Ron Miller, has joined Dealer of the Year winner James Hayes' garden machinery dealership.
James Hayes and Ron Miller
With branches in South Molton and Barnstaple, Hayes Garden Machinery won the Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year title at last year's Service Dealer Awards.
Ron Miller, who won Service Dealer's Lifetime Achievement Award last year, has had a long career in the indusry, 'retiring' recently from GGP.
Ron, who has relocated to North Devon, said that following his retirement he had been approached by two manufacturers who felt he may be of help to them in various forms. "Of course I was flattered by the interest," said Ron, "and it was difficult to refuse either challenge as the fire had returned to my belly and ego. I realised I definitely was not ready for retirement but would it be ethical to join another manufacturer after a successful and enjoyable tenure at GGP? Also I had to remember my promise to Mrs Miller to be away from home less.
"Then I heard from James Hayes, who I had met for the first time last year. Having had talks previously, James offered me a part time job. It just seemed to fit. I was going back to my roots in retail and James mentioned there would be other projects he would like me to get involved in. "So, here I am aged 69 and enjoying the involvement - apart from the electronic point of sale 'till' system which drives me mental! Whatever happened to good old fashioned duplicate invoice books or paragon machines!?"  Hayes Garden Machinery
Ron continued, "It's a good young team at Hayes Garden Machinery led by a talented entrepreneur in James Hayes and it has confirmed my long held belief in the importance of specialist dealers and that we should do everything in our power to preserve the dealer network in which ever way possible. "Many of the public don't know it or understand how vital good dealerships are to them in the sales and after sales process. It's time to fly the flag much higher than ever and blow the specialist trumpet much louder. "We need to tell the public all the good reasons why they should visit their local dealer and why they should use them for their machinery needs and service back up. We need to big up our products, our people, our service and back up and most of all our industry must start really believing in itself. "We have many excellent dealers who are investing in the future, new premises, training staff, computerised systems and re-vitalised attitude towards the business. This is not a 'quick buck' industry and never will be, there is only room for serious players who are in it for the long run. These are the 'specialists' who need the support of each other.
"Working together for the long term good of the industry is paramount."
|
