John Deere Limited has announced changes to its agricultural dealer organisation in north-west England and south-west Scotland.
As of 31st October 2018 Johnston Tractors Ltd at Carlisle, Appleby and Dumfries no longer holds the John Deere franchise and has been replaced by Cornthwaite Group.
According to a post on their Facebook page, Johnston Tractors Ltd have taken on the Valtra franchise are are introducing it today (November 2nd) at the Borderway AgriExpo 2018.
Cornthwaite Group has secured new premises in Dumfries on the Heathhall Industrial Estate, which are currently under construction and will open in the near future. In the meantime it has an interim facility on the same estate, to provide ongoing parts and service support.
Cornthwaite Agricultural's premises near Kendal that opened at the end of last year
The group has also secured an outlet just off junction 43 of the M6 at Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle to provide continuing support to John Deere customers in the region, while it constructs new bespoke premises in the area. The Cornthwaite dealership group also includes established outlets at Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria, Bispham Green in Lancashire and Nantwich in Cheshire, and employs over 100 staff.
“This change is part of John Deere’s ongoing Dealer of Tomorrow strategy, which is designed to strengthen the European dealer network and provide long-term stability for both dealers and customers,” says John Deere Limited division sales manager Chris Meacock.
Cornthwaite Agricultural dealer principal Stuart Cornthwaite adds, “We are very pleased to have been asked by John Deere to expand our business to cover this new trading area. We focus on and specialise in all John Deere agricultural product lines, including tractors, combines, greencrop equipment, sprayers, Gator utility vehicles and AMS FarmSight precision farming systems, as well as support programmes such as PowerGard maintenance and protection.
“We invest heavily in customer support, employing more than 40 service technicians in the group, and pride ourselves on providing industry leading parts support. We are committed to delivering the best possible machinery sales and service support to existing and new customers alike.”
In addition to John Deere equipment, the group’s other franchises include Bailey Trailers, Maschio, Kramer, Redrock, Standen, Vaderstad and Spearhead.