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Wednesday 30 January 2013

ROD JUSTICE Retired Farmer

Today we welcome Rod Justice from Trentham to tell us a bit about he got started working with Farm Machinery. Rod’s story departs from those people who made and sold or repaired the tractors and implements as his experience is from a customer’s point of view. Rod is somebody who bought and used the machinery.

 

Welcome to AgList Rod and thanks for agreeing to do this interview. Tell me how did you get started in the machinery game?

When I left school there weren’t too many choices like a lot of kids in a similar situation I guess it was predestined for me to become a farmer.

And what was the first role, and for who?

I worked for my parents on the family farm. Trentham was a big potato growing area at that time and I spent most of my days growing and harvesting potatoes.

Tell me a bit about it, anything interesting happen

No one day in particular stands out. Each week was pretty much the same just filled with all the things that go on in day to day working of a farm.

Did you have a career plan or did it just evolve?

No I think I was like a lot of others around my age at the time, it was a job that pretty much just evolved.

Worst day at work, can you tell me what happened and when?

I can’t recall anything that stands out now, but there was no doubt there were many.

And to balance things the best day at work, can you tell me what happened and when?

I’d have to say the same answer as above, nothing in particular come to mind.

Was this your first career choice?

Yes I think I always wanted to work the land, I didn’t really consider a career other than farming

How many different jobs have you held during your career?

All of my life I have been on the land but at times I found time to manage three other jobs away from the farm.

Describe your best job ever, be careful if it’s not the one you hold now.

Being a farmer is something special. It could be in our blood, but for me the connection to the land and to nature. It’s all I really ever wanted to do.

Tell us about any favourite times or parts of your career?

When I think back I suppose it’s been meeting great people over the last sixty years

What was the best product or service you ever owned, sold, or worked on?

We built up a fresh food distribution business. I enjoyed the challenge of that and it’s good to look back at the success we made of it. Something we can be proud of.

What is the most important innovation you’ve seen?

The Internet and the speed that it lets people communicate is probably the one I’d pick. It has opened so many new areas to help today’s farmers and businesses compete in world markets, while staying informed of latest trends and developments.

So how far did you go in school, and did you do any study after leaving?

I left school after achieving my Intermediate Certificate at high school.

What do like most about your work today?

We still have a few acres and that gives me an opportunity to be outside. Yeah, being outside is the best bit about what I do now.

What is that you are doing today, and who do you work for?

We sold most of the farm last year and have since retired. I say retired but in the meantime we have built a new home and that’s been keeping us busy.

Can you remember your first pay packet, tell us how you felt when you held it in your hands and can you tell us how much it was?

As our family had to struggle to make ends meet when I left school there was no first pay packet. I had a small allowance; just enough to get by until I managed to get other work and then built up our self employed businesses.

Can you tell us what you see any challenges the industry will face over the next few years?

The future will bring lots of challenges, but in agriculture the most pressing would have to be water.

And is there any advice you can give to anyone considering a similar career?

Study, learn as much as you can before you start working, and continue to study in support your of career, no matter what field you decide to work in.

Thanks Rod and good luck with your retirement.

 

Saturday 19 January 2013

Phil Ronalds' Story


I first met Phil Ronalds in Bairnsdale, it was after the first day of a field day and we were sitting at dinner with a group of other machinery reps. As usually happens we talked of the day’s events and the people we knew within the industry. Back then Phil had an interesting history and one which he’s added to since. I’m pleased he responded to my request and offered to share some of his working life with our AgList followers.

Welcome to AgList Phil, and thanks again for participating. Tell me how did you get started in the machinery game, and what was your first job?

I started out as an Agricultural Contractor initially and in those days I was using Ford and County tractors.  I did that until I was about 35 years old. Contracting had its benefits but could also throw up challenges especially with seasonal fluctuations.

An opportunity to make a change came up and I opted for a corporate life. I began working as a branch manager for Detroit Engine and Turbine Co, then a sometime later I took up the position of Branch Manager for a John Deere dealer.

My days as a contractor certainly were good for the experience I gained. I learned a lot and developed a set of skills that have stood me in good stead for the rest of my career.

And that first role again, what was it, and for who?

As I said before, I started as the Branch Manager, Detroit Engine and Turbine Co, based in Morwell in East Victoria.

Sounds like a great job, can you tell me a bit about it, and did anything interesting happen?

It was an interesting and diverse role. We were supporting a wide range of engines and transmission products fitted into everything from the fishing fleet in Eastern Victoria, including large trawlers, to the ESSO oil rigs in Bass Straight. ESSO used our equipment and we’d service those from the Morwell branch too. Gippsland has a wide range of industries and we maintained fleets in the transport and logging business.

Helicopter flights onto the oil rigs in bad weather were always interesting, mostly with Vietnam Veterans as pilots, and they were guys who always had plenty of nerve.

When you left school, did you have a career plan or did it just evolve?

Evolution was more the norm I guess, although my goal was always to work for a Multinational tractor manufacturer, as I now do with AGCO.

We all have a story about our worst day at work. How about you, what happened and when?

The first one that springs to mind is meeting a young hoon on a blind corner. At the time I was towing a 12 foot wide New Holland Mower Conditioner behind a 6 foot wide ute, and really didn’t have the required permit. …The last I saw in my rear view mirror was his car sliding sideways….

And to balance things the best day at work, can you tell me what happened and when?

I have had lots of good days and still do. Looking back I’d say good days come mostly after I’ve completed the delivery of a new tractor. There is no better feeling than handing over a machine that has been properly set up to match the farmers implement and everything’s working correctly.

Was this your first career choice?

No, life doesn’t always work to a plan, but that’s what makes life so interesting, that and making the most of what comes along.

I usually ask, if this wasn’t your first choice, what happened?

I think this industry has changed so much over the years, sometimes you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and sometimes that’s just bad luck, but always you seem to come out better for the experience.

How many different jobs have you held during your career?

About six.

What would you say is the best job you’ve had?

The position I have now working for AGCO. It’s a company with a wide range of products that are manufactured to a high standard and are well suited to their application. One of the big four agricultural machinery manufacturers, I am privileged to represent such a reputable company.

Tell us about any favourite times or parts of your career?

Trips to Europe for training in source factories are always a great experience. Also the tours with our customers to see the places where their machines are built is always memorable.

And along the way I’ve learnt a raft of new skills and picked up a little Italian language.

What was the best product or service you ever owned, sold, or worked on?

The most fun I had was testing the very high horsepower engines we used to rebuild at Detroit Engines. These were all remanufactured to blueprint specifications, and after testing we shipped them back for use on the Oil Rigs.

Getting back to the Ag industry, what do you think is the most important innovation you’ve seen?

The introduction of computer controlled engines and transmissions into the ag industry. This technology has seen an improvement in efficiency the old timers could only dream about.

So how far did you go in school, and did you do any study after leaving?

Form four only. Although I have always believed you need to keep building your knowledge base and so I’ve completed many TAFE short courses over the years. One I am most proud of is learning Italian.

Things have no doubt changed since you started out. What do like most about the job you do today?

The thing I like best is that I am always able to meet different people from different places. It continues to increase my network of customers and colleagues. Many of these people have now become friends.

What is that you are doing today, and who do you work for?

I’m an Area Sales Manager for AGCO Australia Limited

Can you remember your first pay packet, tell us how you felt when you held it in your hands and can you tell us how much it was?

I’ll discount the contracting and say it would have been for Detroit Engine and Turbine Co. At that time I was 35 years of age, and I was on $26,000 per year as a branch manager. I thought at the time, it was huge money.

Can you tell us what you see any challenges the industry will face over the next few years?

Getting young people into the industry, ours is a small and sometimes little known job market. Therefore we need to find a new way to entice young people into machinery.

And is there any advice you can give to anyone considering a similar career?

Follow your dreams, after first getting a proper education.

Thursday 17 January 2013

Someone different for next week

This weekend we will break the format from the last two people and go to a story of someone still working in the Ag Machinery Industry again. Like Keith Waterhouse Phil Ronald's is still working in the machinery game and covers a large territory serving the tractor and machinery owners in Victoria. Drop into the blog on Monday to check out a modern tractor man's story.

Sunday 13 January 2013

Ian Denton's Story

This week we journey to South Australia and catch up with one of Australia's longest serving Ford Dealers. Although now retired, you can't talk about the machinery industry of South Australia's Mid North without mentioning Ian Denton or the business his father started in the twenties.

Here is Ian's Story: 

 
J.O. Denton, ( Joe ) left school at 11 years of age, to work in his father’s grocery store and from an early age he was interested in all things technical. The beginning of the technical revolution was perfect timing for a lad with his interests.

He started in his own business in 1923, J.O.DENTON, carrying out mechanical repairs and experimenting with Marconi’s new invention the wirelesses. Soon he was building his own receivers and transmitters. In fact he was transmitting radio signals before any of commercial stations had started broadcasting in South Australia.

In 1923 his focus shifted to sales when he acquired an agency to distribute Douglas ‘Belt-Drive’ Motorcycles in his area this proved to be another good decision for the young Joe Denton. Building a name as a fair trader and reliable source of spare parts with an excellent set of mechanical skills built his reputation as and astute businessman. Such attributes are reported widely and he soon caught the attention of other manufactures wanting to engage him to sell their products.

In early 1926, and not long after the Ford Motor Company had started building Model T Fords in Geelong, he saw an opportunity in selling an Australian built motor car and applied for a Ford Franchise. This was the beginning of a long term business relationship when the appropriate forms were completed and the official Ford Motor Company Dealership Agreement with JO Denton of Farrell Flat commenced on May 1st 1926.

Although not an official dealer at the time, Joe sold his first T-Model Ford on February 17th 1926 two and a half months before the official start-up date. Joe was an eager and capable salesman. Tractors were beginning to replace horses in the twenties and an ever increasing number of farmers were asking Joe about the Fordson range of tractors. He saw yet another opportunity and sold his first ‘F’ Model Fordson Tractor on October 17th 1926.

During this time other agencies formed the wide range of products Joe sold to his customers. Although Ford went on to the main part of the business, these products included Caterpillar, Lanz Bulldog, H.V. McKay, Massey Harris, Atwater-Kent Wireless. Although electricity was being laid out over an increasing number of households in towns and cities, for families on farms candles and lanterns were still commonplace but Joe had an answer. As a dealer for Freelite and Delco Lighting Plants, he helped illuminate many a farmhouse and outbuilding. Something as simple as electricity drastically changed the lives of people in Joe’s area.

With the introduction of the new‘E27N’ model Fordson Joe decided that he could discontinue his representation of other brands and concentrate his efforts on this modern and reliable newcomer. Fordson Tractors were sold in large numbers and Joe retained a healthy market share of around seventy percent at the time. Market shares of these percentages always come under threat as many other tractor manufactures responded to the E27N’s success and as they came on stream during the fifties the market share waned. However the introduction of the New Majors, Power Majors, and Super Majors continued to offer the business a first class product keeping sales high and a market share which could be envied by other dealers of all persuasion.

Ian Denton began his career with the family firm in 1954 continuing the first class reputation for supplying parts and accessories to customers throughout the Mid North. Handling the spare parts side of any business is sometimes a thankless task but Ian was up to the challenge and in retirement today he still dabbles in parts as a hobby.

Ian progressed to the Tractor and Equipment sales side of the business in the early sixties. When Joe retired in the mid seventies, Ian assumed control and became responsible for the myriad of tasks concerned with the day to day management of the business.

This short statement somewhat sells Ian’s story short as during this time Ford Tractors and Equipment were outsold in most markets across Australia and without an alternative to the new quite cabins being offered by Chamberlain and John Deere, Ford Dealers were losing interest. Some leaving to find other products more suited to their clients demands. Jo Denton and Sons however maintained market share and flew a proud but lonely Ford flag.

Early in the sixties the Ford Motor Company had segregated the tractor division, forming a new entity called Ford Tractor and Equipment. Dealers who had been able to sell cars and tractors had two companies to deal with and choices were made. A new vibrancy fuelled this young company. Ford wasted little time and they began in earnest to recruit some of the brightest minds and skilled technicians across Australia. The Tractor and Equipment Division now had the right mix of people to complete the successful launch of a new range of farm tractors from twenty eight to one hundred and eight horsepower.

Ian Denton was at the forefront of this surge and the number of blue tractors multiplied through the territory he commanded. The new company’s management could rely on J O Denton and Sons to achieve market leadership monthly.

By ninety seventy eight a new more powerful and modern range of tractors complete with a quiet cabin option was offered by Ford T&E. The Arrival of these tractors created a new energy within the dealer network, particularly in broad-acre farming areas. Ian’s leadership at Dealer Council meetings and his effervescent personality was contagious and his peers responded and many took up the challenge to push for a greater market share. During the Eighties, Ford dealers across Australia achieved market leadership. In Farrell Flat Ian maintained his sales dominance with Ford’s 7700 and TW Models.

The arrival of a range of 30 and 40 Series tractors gave Ford Dealers a formidable tractor offering from a machinery supplier at the top of its game. The arrival of the Australian Designed Ford 8401 Tractor generated even more sales. This was a tractor researched and built to meet the unique needs of the majority of Australia’s cereal farmers. Tractors were being financed in many different ways and in the eighties Ford Credit Acceptance Company designed an innovative range of purchase and leasing plans to support the dealers quest for improved sales figures.

The 8401 was unique to Australia, and a tractor JO Denton and Sons sold in large numbers. An Australian tractor to suit Australia’s farming needs the timing of the 8401 tractor’s introduction was perfect and it made a big sales impact for the few short years it was produced.

Ian Denton’s story would not be complete without the mention of Yamaha Motorcycles and in some ways the motorbikes completed a circle back to the origins of the business Joe started back in the twenties. Agriculture and pastoral pursuits took a major leap in efficiency when Yamaha introduced its first Ag bike the Ag100. This was a 100cc unit complete with handle bar guards and wide carrier. A couple of years later farmers were looking for more power and Yamaha followed up the 100 with the Ag175.      Denton’s sold hundreds.

By the early nineties Ford Tractors and Equipment had morphed into Ford New Holland after Ford bought the North American New Holland Company in the late eighties. Subsequently the new company was purchased by FIAT to become New Holland. This was a time of great upheaval for many loyal Ford Dealers and neither the dealer network nor the Ford T&E staff would ever be the same again, the magic was gone.        Even today some of these loyal people hold a grudge resulting from the manner in which they were dismissed.

Ian Denton however maintained a good relationship with the new company and only wound up this continuous relationship in 2000.

Ian was presented with an award in recognition of the 75 years unbroken involvement with the Company by the Denton Family business. At that time the business had been directly involved with Fordson / Ford Tractors for seventy five years of the eighty two years that Ford Tractors had been selling in Australia.

In fact Denton’s had sold, serviced, and cared for the needs of Ford tractor owners for seventy five years of the complete eighty four year history of Ford Tractor production across the globe.

Not many of today’s companies can boast a more enviable record.

 

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Tractors Kalashnikovs and Green Tea

In November I received a parcel from a book distributor in the US.

I had  an e-mail from my old mate Mick Kuerschner who was working in New Guinea at the time. He said he'd arranged to send me a book he was reading. He knew I was searching for people to tell me about the parts they'd played or in fact were still play in Australia's Ag Machinery Industry.

When the book arrived I was bowled over. The cover read 'TRACTORS, KALASHNIKOVS and GREEN TEA. Opening the book I was hooked, who wouldn't be, and even more presently surprised to  see it was written by tractor enthusiast and veteran of the machinery industry Ian M Johnson.

The book is a memoirs of Ian's life. Beginning at the time when as a boy in Scotland he decides to move to Australia to see what such a country might hold in store. There are plenty of adventures for a young man with a love of things mechanical and a desire to work on the land. I'm sure our climate may have had an influence as well.

Ian's book deals with his time working with Lanz Bulldog, Massey Ferguson, Landini and the industrial tractor business in NSW. Ian's book has anecdotes and stories covering a wide spectrum. From meeting Harry Ferguson while in college to Running his own successful machinery dealership in Australia. This is a great read for everyone who has a connection to our land and it's farmers and anyone who just loves a great story.

Thanks to Mick for sending me the book and to Ian for writing it.

Monday 7 January 2013

Interview with PAT BAIRD


I first met Pat Baird when we had colour in our hair. His larger than life personality and easy going nature made him a natural within the tractor industry. I caught up with him while in Daylesford in Victoria where he and his wife have a successful accomodation business.
Pat has made many friends across Australia and like me I'm sure they will be pleased he agreed to tell his story.

It's been a while since you were involved with farm machinery, tell me just how did you get started in the machinery game?

I actually was ahead of my time and invented the ‘Gap Year’. I told my Father I was taking a year off to rest up after some arduous years at Ardrossan Area School. He obviously didn't agree with my plan and had the local Farm Machinery dealer come and pick me up on the following Monday morning to start an apprenticeship.
My Gap Year only lasted two days, rather than the full year as I had planned.

And what was that first job, and for who?

Apprentice Diesel Mechanic at Ardrossan Motors in South Australia. We were the local David Brown dealers when I first started in 1973. When David Brown was bought out by Case we became the Deutz Dealership and then my boss took on the Ford Tractor dealership. During this time Ardrossan Motors had the Holden franchise and a variety of assorted implement franchises. Victor Kenny owned and operated the business and at the time he was a very well known South Australian machinery industry identity.


Notorious, I remember he had a larger than life personality, can you tell me a bit about it? Did anything interesting happen?

There were always interesting things happening at Ardrossan Motors. Victor Kenny was known as a bit of a ‘Wild Man’ back in those days and he always drove flash cars. It was a great time, a constant stream of interesting people and fun things going on. Vic’s dealership was more like a playground for grownups in many ways. The annual Deutz Golf day that Ardrossan Motors put on for their clients was legendary. Not so much golf but more so for the number of drinks scored.

Did you have a career plan or did it just evolve?

There was no plan at all. In fact I was possibly the worst mechanic that God ever shovelled guts into, and my only aim was to get off the tools. After eight years as a mechanic and sales person with Ardrossan Motors I was offered a role as a Product Demonstrator for Ford Tractors and Equipment. They were getting ready for the launch of their mid Range 10 Series tractors. It was a great job, I was based in Melbourne and working with a great company.

From there I took another role with Ford as their territory manager in North Queensland where Townsville was my base for two years. A change of location to Adelaide followed, again as territory manager. This time however the territory was all of South Australia.

Cutting a long story short I returned to Melbourne and transferred into the Service department. From there to the Melbourne Metro Ford Tractor Dealership as Service manager working for Vin Smith (Top bloke and top operator).

Due to family pressures I returned to SA and became the service manager for the Isuzu truck dealer and then the Volvo truck dealer. Eventually my wife of the time asked me to ‘put some magic into the relationship.’    So I did.           I disappeared.

Following that I returned to Melbourne, taking up the role of Tractor Product Manager with Massey Ferguson, Ursus, and later Fendt as the products in my portfolio.

AGCO Australia Limited was another fabulous company to work for.

Finally after eight years I left there to work in the fashion belt business (of all things). Eventually my wife Anne and I purchased our own accommodation Booking Service business in Daylesford Victoria, where we are both still working today.

Worst day at work, can you tell me what happened and when?

I tend to be an eternal optimist so in many ways my worst day was probably one of the funniest looking back, although it wasn't very funny at the time. I was sent about seventy kilometres down the York Peninsular from Ardrossan to south of Minlaton. I was to do the first service on a Deutz tractor. Late in the day I was driving home on a secluded back road when I was suddenly overcome by stomach cramps. There was no other traffic around, so I pulled over to the side of the road, I scrambled through the glove box and ripped a couple of pages from the cars service manual. I headed into the bush, flipped off my overalls and proceeded to ‘do number two's’. On completion, I cleaned up using the pages from the service book. Flipped the overalls back on and headed for the car. As I got back in the driver’s seat I leaned back and felt a clammy feeling at the back of my neck. I was still a good fifty kilometres from home and being the seventies I had long flowing hair which was also caught up in this mess.

Needless to say, this was the longest drive of my life. Very messy, very smelly and in hindsight very funny


And to balance things the best day at work, can you tell me what happened and when?

There are too many to be able to name them all. One major highlight was hosting Gil McDonald from Southcorp Wines on a three week ‘Junket’ through Europe as a thank you for a two hundred Fendt tractor contract. John Bradley AGCO/MF's sales Director and my boss at the times parting words to me were ‘Gil's not to put his hand in his pocket the entire time you are away’. It's fair to say I didn't let him down. I reckon the company would have struggled to make a profit that year!!!!


Was the tractor industry your first career choice?

No, not at all - I ended up in it by accident.

If not what might have happened?

Throughout my last few years at school I was keen to become A Police Officer. As explained earlier my attempt at inventing the ‘Gap Year’ put an end to that.

How many different jobs have you held during your career?

I've had about eight different employers - Ardrossan Motors, Ford Motor Company, Melbourne Tractors, Metro Isuzu, Voltruck, Massey Ferguson, Tripler Trading Company and currently self employed at Daylesford Accommodation Escapes. With Ford however I had a number of roles in the eight years including Demonstrator, Territory Manager and Service Department Assistant.

Describe your best job ever.

It’s a toss of the coin between Ford and Massey, but I think that Massey wins. I was Product Manager there for eight years looking after Massey, Ursus and Fendt Tractors and enjoyed almost every day of it.

I worked for John Bradley who was a great boss, and I was teamed alongside Ken Heath. Ken is a great bloke and excellent teacher, particularly talented in filling out expense reports.

Tell us about any favourite times or parts of your career?

I loved my participation in the numerous product launches that I was involved in at Massey. The overseas travel to the UK, Germany and France for factory visits was always enjoyable. 

What was the best product or service you ever owned, sold, or worked on?

Undoubtedly the Fendt Tractor range. They are bloody expensive but bloody good products. 

What is the most important innovation you’ve seen?

As far as the area of the business that I was involved in it had to be the Fendt Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT). Both innovative and market leading. 

So, getting back to before your two day ‘gap year’. How far did you go in school, and did you do any study after leaving?

I completed my Leaving Certificate, fourth year high school in 1972. I was so dammed good at it they invited me back again in 1973 to show the next class how not to do it. This was followed by a Diesel Mechanics Apprenticeship. 

What do like most about your work today?

Working for myself I guess. Also I'm dealing with people on holidays so they are generally in a good and happy mood. Seeing guests arrive stressed and exhausted and checking out a few days later smiling and refreshed from a short break in a beautiful part of the country.

Just what is it that you are doing today?

My wife Anne and I own and operate Daylesford Accommodation Escapes. The business is a holiday rental business in the Daylesford/Hepburn Springs region of Central Victoria. We manage about one hundred and twenty or so self contained houses, apartments and villas throughout the area on a commission basis. 

Going back to Ardrossan Motors again, can you remember your first pay packet? How did you feel when you held that first packet in your hands, and can you remember how much it was?

I think it was about $26.00. It didn't stay in my hands all that long though. I think a schooner of beer was about eighty cents in those days so it was gone well before the weekend was over. 

Can you tell us what you see any challenges the industry will face over the next few years?

I'm an optimist but I still believe the next few years will be really tough for nearly all small businesses. I'm well removed from the farm machinery industry these days so I can't offer much input there. 

And is there any advice you can give to anyone considering a similar career?

You need to be passionate to be good at anything you do. If you are in it for the money you've probably picked the wrong game. If you are in it for the right reasons you will thoroughly enjoy it.


Pat Baird can be found through his business at Daylesford Escapes: dabs.com.au on Facebook and Twitter

Wednesday 2 January 2013

AgList Anthology request in the Weekly Times

Thanks to Glenn Mulcaster who kindly reported on this project in this weeks edition of the Weekly Times.

During my career in the machinery industry publications like these have served our community well reporting not only the sensational headlines but providing a wealth of positive information to Australia's farming community. The machinery section has always been full of practical ides and well researched product information.

Covering everything from casseroles to combines you can find hours disappear as you read and re-read their contents. As a salesman I can recall a number of occasions when a farmer would call to say they were interested in a product or machine that had been written about many months before, thus making these publications a lasting resource.

May they never be replaced by electronic means.