Ron Miller, National Sales Manager of GPP is to retire in September.

In a phased ‘step-down’, Gary Whitney is to take over management of GGP’s outside sales teams from 30 March along with day-to-day planning of sales policies and product development.

Ron will stay with the company over the summer months, retiring fully on 26 September when Gary formally becomes National Sales Manager.

Speaking to Service Dealer, Ron said, “After more than 50 years ‘in the game’, this an announcement I had been dreading, but at the tender age of 68 I leave the company knowing that it is in good hands under the continuing stewardship of Duncan Martin, a great team at GGP – and of course a wonderful dealer network”.

He and his wife Tina, moved from Rugby to Westward Ho in Devon last year. He adds, “Having worked in the industry, Tina knows what it is like to sustain a career in order to make things happen and the need for many nights away from home.”

Ron started in his career as a ‘storeman’ for tractor dealer Harry Emslie in Perthshire. In 1974, he started a long spell with Chain Saw Products, before joining E P Barrus in 1983, becoming sales manager of the lawn and garden division, developing a number of innovation marketing strategies. He joined MTD in Germany in 2000 but the travelling took a toll on him and his health, and in 2001 he joined GGP.

“Being at GGP gives you a winning mentality, so now I need to be good at something else like bowls, or golf – or even surfing (out to buy the wet suit and board very soon!)”

A fuller account of Ron Miller’s Life and Times in the ‘game’ will appear in the May/June issue of Service Dealer.