A dealer recruitment campaign launched at LAMMA 2019 is bearing fruit with the return of Suffolk Agri-Centre to the McCormick dealer network.

The dealership based at Pakenham east of Bury St Edmunds supplied McCormick products from 2007 to 2013 when it felt the range at the time lacked some of the models and features wanted by local customers.

Suffolk Agri-Centre directors Ken Grimwood (left) and David Eley at the Pakenham premises near Bury St Edmunds

“But that has changed completely,” says Suffolk Agri-Centre sales director David Eley. “The ‘Doncaster’ products have long since gone and McCormick manufacturer Argo Tractors has invested millions in a product development programme that has transformed the range.

“The McCormick line-up now has something for everyone. It’s a range that really suits our customer base and with new investment in an expanded management and support team for McCormick in the UK, I’m confident the product is also matched by the back-up we need and our customers expect.

“We’re committed to continue supporting the tractors we supplied over recent years but as far as new sales are concerned, we’re now wholly McCormick.”

Ben Agar, McCormick sales director, is spearheading the Argo Tractors ‘Free to Grow’ dealer recruitment drive and is delighted that Suffolk Agri-Centre has returned to the fold.

“Our campaign emphasises that as other major brands aim to tie down dealers to exclusively sell their implements as well as tractors, dealerships selling McCormick are free to supply whichever equipment brands best suit them and their customers.

“We’ve put considerable investment into new digital resources for parts, sales, marketing and communications that will help our dealers grow with McCormick whilst supporting them to be free to grow with any of the many independent machinery manufacturers in our industry.”

David Eley agrees that dealer independence is a welcome factor: “We’ve done very well with Amazone for many years now and we’re also doing well with Krone, which we took on more recently, as well as with Teagle, McConnel and our other long-standing equipment franchises.

“With the addition of McCormick tractors, I believe we have a very rounded range of products to meet the needs of farmers and contractors throughout Suffolk, and the resources to support them in terms of parts and service back-up.”