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Brian Matchett, a well-known figure in the NZ ag machinery sales, has retired after a memorable 55 years in the industry.
Much of the rural industry is made up of an army of characters who tend to be “good buggers” or rogues, while a small number might fall into the “you need to count your fingers after a handshake” category.
In the case of the New Zealand tractor and agricultural machinery ranks, one name that falls into the good bugger rating has decided to take the batteries out of his calculator and consign his notebook to the office, as he heads for his retirement.
Brian Matchett, often referred to by his surname, is a larger than life character who seems to have been in the industry for a lifetime and his working history would tend to confirm that. Those associations with NZ ag machinery date back to 1967, when he set off down the route of apprentice mechanic, at well known Maber Motors in Morrinsville, which itself is known for turning out many industry stalwarts.
After eight years, Matchett moved southwest to Tauwhare Contractors where he plied his mechanical aptitude, before moving back to Morrinsville in 1978 to the then new Power Farming Wholesale business started up by Geoff Maber. Firstly, Brian looked after the Iseki and Belarus products, before a spell as the South Island sales manager, then a move to national sales manager in 1985.
In 1990, the urge to seek pastures new kicked in and Brian jumped ship to the Case IH Group for the next twelve years or so, eventually ending up as the NZ national manager. Then in 2003 came a move to another manufacturer in the shape of AGCO, the distributors of the Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Valtra brands, taking the title of director of sales and marketing ANZ.
In 2007, the lure of the capital of Waikato dairying saw Brian returning to Morrinsville to take up a position of marketing and development manager at the rapidly expanding Piako Group, led by another Maber Motors product, Darrell Russell.
Choosing Christmas 2023 to call it a day, Rural News caught up with Matchett to talk about his most memorable moments in more than 55 years in the industry. Brian talked of the plethora of people, many of whom became lifelong acquaintances and importantly great friends.
“For me, the second part of 1985 was memorable as farmers scrambled to buy tractors ahead of the arrival of GST on purchases in 1986,” said Brian. This was followed not long after by the NZ tractor market falling to only 1100 units a year and everyone wondering if they had a job to go to on Monday morning.
“Of course, there were many overseas trips to meet suppliers or visit trade fairs, with many remembered for all types of hospitality – and I mean all types of hospitality, and a number best forgotten. But as the saying goes: what goes on tour-stays on tour.”
Rural News understands that Matchett plans to retire disgracefully, setting aside some time for one of his many, best unmentioned vices – racing his Holden Commodore.
Ah well, you can’t always be perfect!
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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