FTMTA training centre receives Pottinger award

Last week at the 2006 Pottinger International open day held in Grieskirchen, Austria, FTMTA was among the prize winners in the 2006 International Pottinger Prize. FTMTA was awarded second prize of €2,000 for the Associations innovative new Farm Machinery Industry Training Centre (FMITC).

The prestigious Pottinger Prize is awarded every two years to projects, which demonstrate future orientated ideas and developments for both agriculture and the agricultural machinery industry. Pottinger awards the prize in recognition of excellence contributing to the betterment of agriculture and previous winners include the likes of Agricultural Commissioner Dr Franz Fischler.

The new Farm Machinery Industry Training Centre (FMITC) project currently being undertaken by FTMTA was recognised as an extremely worthwhile and beneficial project to all involved in the farm machinery industry in Ireland. The Pottinger Prize ceremony was a highlight of the recent Pottinger Dealer Days. FTMTA received the award in front of Pottinger dealers and partners from all over the world.

Mr Heinz Pottinger, the third generation of the Pottinger family since the establishment of the company, presented the award to Roger McDermott, FTMTA executive and FTMTA council member Eileen Traynor of T Traynor and Sons, Clonmel, Pottinger importers for Ireland.

Mr Pottinger said the FMITC Project signified exactly the type of development which Pottinger was proud to be associated with in the Pottinger Prize programme. Having just outlined plans to develop a training centre of their own in Austria, Mr Pottinger said as agricultural systems and technology continues to progress the value of such training centres cannot be underestimated.

Andlinger & Company acquires stake in Welger

The US based private investment group Andlinger & Company, which has a European office in Austria, has acquired a majority stake in the German based Welger Maschinenfabrik GmbH, one of Europe's baler manufacturers. The Dutch based agricultural-technology group Lely has co-invested in Welger as minority shareholder.

Welger is a leading manufacturer of high quality balers for the agricultural sector and of waste baling presses for the recycling industry. Welger has a worldwide sales network and currently employs 360 people. Turnover at Welger is approximately €60 million.

"The investors provide substantial financial strengthening for Welger and the resources required for future growth'', says Gerhard Unterganschnigg, partner of Andlinger & Company. Andlinger decided in favour of this investment because of the "comprehensive strategic and operational changes'' that Welger's successful turn-around management has implemented over the past few years.

Welger managing director, Stefan Lindig, has welcomed the investment group's involvement, "The involvement of Andlinger puts the company on an entirely new basis. In recent years, Welger has steadily increased its market share, especially in the export markets, with the export ratio currently amounting to 85%. On the one hand the fresh capital will help generate further growth, particularly in the new markets of the new EU member states. On the other hand previously deferred developments can now be put into effect.''

Lindig expects additional effects will result from Andlinger's extensive industrial experience.

Existing sales co-operations, such as the one with the Lely Group in particular, will be strengthened and intensified even further. A long-term sales co-operation agreement for balers and wrappers was concluded with Lely prior to the Andlinger announcement.

Record production at New Holland's European combine plants

Combine production at New Holland's European plants has increased by 50% over the past 10 years. The growth has seen the Zedelgem plant in Belgium, which celebrates 100 years of combine innovation this year, reach its highest output since 1998 while additional capacity from the Plock plant in Poland has allowed New Holland to reach record figures.

Zedelgem has now produced more than 190,000 combines since 1952 and continues to manufacture New Holland's flagship models for export around the world, as well as supplying European markets. Plock, which manufactures New Holland's utility combines, has seen production steadily grow since 2001.