Latest News - June 07
20.06.07 - PLAYING OUR PART
Simba is ensuring it is ready to handle the demands of farmers during the forthcoming cultivation and crop establishment season by increasing stores and support staff at its Sleaford headquarters by some 50%.
This is among a range of developments in the company’s parts provision ahead of the season, with other moves including expanding its training sessions for dealer staff and making increasing use of the internet, both to receive dealer orders and to provide supporting information for both dealers and customers.
“Ensuring efficient and swift parts supply ‘in season’ is an essential part of Simba’s promise to its customers, so making sure everyone involved in their provision – both at Simba and in its dealerships – is essential”, says Colin Adams, who heads the company’s After Sales and Service Division.
“We run up some impressive statistics during the season. Some 70 dealer staff have already attended an expanded range of training days to ensure they are up to date with the latest parts we offer, and can offer farmers the best advice to customers.
“We will offer dealers 'on-line' ordering this season, and all service bulletins and parts books are already available on the company’s website."
“The number of parts we keep at Sleaford grows every year as the range of equipment increases. Currently we have some 9,000 lines in stock, and once the season gets going we will be despatching some 150 packages a day. That is a major logistical exercise – especially as it includes major composite orders for dealers”
While the work-load is rising steadily, he says some farmers are ‘helping themselves’ by placing their orders ‘out of season’ (between December and March):
“Most farmers could predict their annual wearing parts usage, and can obtain some substantial 'Out Of Season' discounts by placing their orders at the right time. As well as the discounts, they will be buying peace of mind, safe in the knowledge they have all the parts they need for the next season in their workshops.
As well as sending parts to over 100 UK dealer premises, Simba works with active dealers and partners in 50 countries across the world, and parts staff run up a good number of additional shifts during the season despatching packages around the world.
The expansion has included appointing several key new personnel to ensure the system runs smoothly, with Dave Goodin, and Julian Hadlow joining the existing management team based at Sleaford.
Dave Goodin (38), appointed Technical Parts Manager, has worked with Simba for 10 years and has a comprehensive experience of the company’s equipment, which will be valuable in the role of ensuring that all customers, and their dealers, receive the parts they need quickly and efficiently.
And while he is a new recruit, 45-year-old Julian Hadlow brings valuable experience to his new role as Product Support Specialist. He has broad experience of machinery manufacturing and field support, having worked with Case IH and Case New Holland both in the UK and across Europe.
He also gained valuable experience with Flexicoil when he was involved in establishing the company’s range of drills and cultivation equipment in Russia, which – combined with his other Eastern European experience – will help him provide excellent support and advice to both customers and dealers.
“These appointments greatly strengthen the division, and will help us ensure that farmers’ requirements are met throughout the coming season”, says Colin Adams, Manager of the After Sales & Service Division.
