| 73 Strong interest in new Fendt harvester Fendt and Massey are reliable brands that gave value for money, says JJ sales representative Nigel Robertson. Rosa Watson RURAL SERVICES » JJ Ltd - Ashburton Tractor dealership JJ Ashburton has built a strong name for itself in sales, service and repairs, but now it has added a new string to its bow. The dealership, with its head office in Invercargill, recently introduced the Fendt Ideal combine harvester to its fleet. And so far, there had been strong interest in the machine, sales representative Nigel Robertson said. They had run a demonstrator over the summer for clients to get to get familiar with the machine. Some of the team had travelled to Australia to be trained up on its operation. “It was a big call going into combines because obviously you’ve got to deal with trade ins. “When it comes to combines, it’s a lot to do with service and backups provided. We’re pretty well-respected as far as our service.” Nigel, who started with the team three years ago, said it was that high level of service and ongoing support that set JJ apart. The dealership had increased its market share over the last few years, he said. Most of its sales were in Fendts and Massey Fergussons. “(Masseys) have made a bit of a comeback into the likes of dairy farm tractors.” They also sold Farmet cultivation equipment, TMC mulchers, and Massey and Fendt hay equipment, as well as loader attachments. They also offer trade ins, mostly tractors, which had been in demand recently. But it was introducing the Fendt Ideal to the dealership that had been the biggest development for the branch. “We felt there was an opportunity to promote the Fendt Ideal ... Mid Canterbury is a good place to start.” He said Fendt and Massey were reliable brands that gave value for money. That was supported by JJ with well-priced service and parts. Service manager Christoph Kalin has been with the branch since the beginning and was a wealth of knowledge. “A lot of people around the district will know him. He’s been in the industry a long time. “He knows the product very well.” The branch has three qualified technicians and two apprentices. Their service included a lot of fieldwork and then ongoing servicing and repairs, especially during the busy period of bailing and harvesting. More technicians were needed in the industry to help fill gaps, he said. That was something JJ was actively promoting through apprenticeships. “(We’re) quite happy to take on apprentices and train them up ... and provide a good workplace that they’re happy to stay. PROUD TO SUPPORT JJ LTD - ASHBURTON “With a bit of a downturn, some people will turn to a second-hand tractor ... or buy a second-hand tractor to ease the load on other machinery. “There’s quite a bit going on in the second-hand market.” He said it was tough out there for farmers at the moment, but things were slowly improving. “It’s not as doom and gloom as it was six months ago. An increase in commodity prices would be helpful to offset inflation, he said. He was confident the downturn would improve, with interest rates predicted to ease in the next year. “It’s just the cycles we go through.”
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