Growing up, Neal Harper had no real interest or connection with agriculture. His father took a job as livestock truck driver and the family did live on a farm, but Neal’s ambition was always to be a truck driver.

 

However, he was interested in machinery and chatted to the farm machinery technicians who came to the farm and subsequently took a block release course in agricultural machinery whilst working for a local John Deere dealer.

 

He then worked for another JD dealer, joined a recycling company and was offered a technician’s post at Haynes Agricultural working in their JCB division. He worked his way through the company, becoming service manager.

 

One day he spotted an ad for a machinery manager for Glendale Ltd, one of the UK’s leading green space management companies which ticked all the boxes for him.

 

He got the job and today is responsible for the purchase, upkeep and operation of over 5000 pieces of equipment and vehicles.

 

In the latest Inside Agri-Turf podcast, he talks to Chris Biddle about his route from working in a dealership to that of a major customer.

 

Neal says that it is important that he, as the client, works closely with both dealers and manufacturers to mutual benefit. He says that when issues arise regarding machinery for a contract, he can take a balanced view having worked on both sides of the fence.

 

He talks openly about purchasing equipment, and says whilst price is obviously a major consideration, there are many other factors that he has to take into account such as suitability (“we need to buy the right machine for the job”) and location and support of dealers in relation to the contract.