Tech support plays vital role

In an effort to raise the profile of the machinery sector and show prospective employees the genuine career opportunities in it, John Deere ANZ recently held its second Annual Technician Awards Gala for Parts and Service staff. The awards are also aimed at rewarding those already in the industry.

Speaking at the awards, managing director John Deere ANZ, Luke Chandler, said the last few years have been challenging.

“We live in a world that is predicted to hit 9.7 billion people by 2050, so there is an ongoing need to grow more feed to service this growth,” he explained. “While current and emerging technologies will make farmers more productive, it will also mean that the need for greater technical support will be critical.”

Chandler added that while salespeople may suggest that they are responsible for the “first” sale, it is the tech support side of JD’s business that is responsible for “the second, third and fourth purchases”.

The awards, held recently in Brisbane and following last year’s virtual event, celebrated the hard work and success of parts-and-service personnel from John Deere’s agricultural, turf, forestry and construction dealers across both NZ and Australia.

The aim is to also promote inclusion, equality and diversity.

Emma Ford, director of aftermarket and customer support, says that throughout Australia and New Zealand, John Deere dealerships employed around 1,600 parts and service technicians. She says the awards initiative resulted in more than 100 nominations from those dealerships, which were backed up by references from customers. This led to the selection of 35 regional finalists who headed to the Gold Coast to fight it out for one of eight awards and a share of the $26,000 prize pool. Two days of close scrutinising by 10 judges covered areas of customer service skills, diagnostics skills and the efficient use of diagnostic tools to detect carefully placed ‘machine faults’.

“Tech staff – particularly service technicians – are the face of the dealership and undertake challenging work in remote locations, under time critical situations and often with little backup,” said Ford.

"These awards offer JD the chance to say thanks for the hard work that these techs put in every day, but also to build stories about what they do, day-in day-out.”

She added it is also a chance for them to go back to their work colleagues and encourage them to enter the awards.

“You are also able to act as ambassadors for your dealerships, to encourage schools leavers or others already in employment who might be looking for a change, to move to the sectors that John Deere support.”

Chandler said that the agricultural industry is in great shape, with high commodity prices taking the sting out of the current high input costs. He predicts that 2023 will be another strong year for agriculture.

“We are also excited to see where the future is heading to service the world’s growing population, with dramatic changes in areas such as smart technology — including variable application rates for seed, fertiliser and spray, autonomy and alternative power sources for our prime movers – it’s a great time to be in the industry."

Southerners Score Well

With eight awards on offer, New Zealand dealerships offered up 10 regional finalists for the prize pool.

While most areas of the country were represented, it was a case of a clean sweep for the South Island taking home the spoils.

Southland Farm Machinery’s Logan Robertson, from Invercargill, took out the Service Apprentice of the Year for ANZ.

Parts Technician of the Year - NZ was grabbed by Megan Tree from SFM’s Gore depot, and Ag Service Technician of the Year - NZ was awarded to Greg Bishop from Southland Farm Machinery’s Mosgiel branch.

Hollie Cooper, group business support manager for Southland Farm Machinery, says the company wanted to acknowledge their staff, who she added often work behind the scenes and come from a broad range of backgrounds.

“We are immensely proud of their success and hope that this success encourages other staff to take part. Hopefully it rubs off on any other people who may be considering a career in the industry.”