Machinery sector ends 2021 on a high, but challenges loom

Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter says that the industry is showing massive resilience, but notes many challenges have to be dealt with – almost on a daily basis.

“The number of new tractors sold in 2021 was just under 4,200 units, which could have been more but shipments arriving in late December just couldn’t be dispatched to customers before the holidays. However, it does mean that most distributors will get off to a good start for the New Year,” Baxter explains.

“Looking forward, as an association we believe that the numbers for 2022 are likely to go higher, but of course they might get restrained because of availability from the supplier factories. The fact is most of the factories have full order books, so it means there is very little wriggle room for placing new orders for production in this calendar year or beyond.”

He adds that with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in Europe and its recent arrival in New Zealand, TAMA members are taking steps to ensure they have workforce continuity, taking lessons from their partners in Europe.

“They report that production is being adjusted on a day-by-day basis, with workers checking in sick and, in many cases, off work for many days,” Baxter says

In other industry matters, TAMA is finalising plans to make a ‘Critical Workforce Border Exemption Request’ to the Ministry for Primary Industries, to address the dire shortage of heavy machinery diesel technicians and the need to fast track more into the country.

On a lighter note, the TAMA 2021 Awards have seen Oliver Bertram, a technician at Tulloch Farm Machines in Masterton, presented with the Plasback Emerging Talent for Service Award, while James Mitchell of Norwood took out the Trade Me Emerging Talent in Sales Award.

TAMA also announced details of its Ron Gall Scholarship for industry leadership.

Sponsored by Tulloch Farm Machines in memory of the organisation’s late general manager, the award offers a one-off $2,000 prize – to inspire industry leaders, allowing them to attend a course, workshop or conference to further enhance their abilities.