Austrian company Pöttinger recently released results for the 2015/2016 financial year. The family-owned business managed to achieve a turnover of €301m with a staff of 1,700 employees in a tough market situation. In general, across Europe, there is an overall downturn in sales in the agricultural machinery industry.

Grassland technology machines accounted for 57% of the companies in the agricultural technology sector, followed by tillage and seed drill technology at 28%. The effort invested in developing new tillage, seed bed preparation and seed drill products at Pöttinger has paid dividends according to the company report. There has been an increase in sales of 20% in the seed drill sector compared with the previous year.

An export share of 86.5% demonstrates the importance of internationalisation for Pöttinger. The top five turnover growth countries in terms of absolute machine sales compared with the previous year are Ukraine, Canada, France, Japan and China. Together with Germany at around 19%, Austria and France (with 13.5% of total sales) each represent the largest and most important individual markets.

Ongoing development

“Everyone needs agriculture in the future too; regional agriculture will play a central role in feeding the world’s population. For this reason, forward-thinking farm businesses should make the necessary investments now to ensure success tomorrow. Fair business conditions and prices are a cornerstone for the long-term, healthy structure of farms.

Pöttinger therefore invests in activities that promote the positive image and the value of farming produce to establish it firmly in the minds of the consumers. As a family-run company, we feel we are linked closely to farmers and dairy producers: working together in solidarity was always and still is the uppermost priority for reaping success together in the future,” explains Heinz Pöttinger on behalf of the management team.

He says: “With our series of expansion projects, we are investing in success for tomorrow. When we develop new products, we think in the same dimensions as our customers: conserving forage and soil while delivering excellent working results, reliability and cost effectiveness. Because we continue to listen to our customers, we have been able to develop into an international specialist for forage harvesting, tillage, seed bed preparation and seed drill technology that is completely independent of any tractor brand. Together with our customers and dealerships, we will stay on this successful course into the future.”

New management in Ireland

From 1 January 2017, Diarmuid Claridge will lead the business of Pöttinger Ireland Ltd as its new general manager. Diarmuid has a strong knowledge of the industry and is well-known among tillage farmers.

Thirty years ago, Pöttinger initiated sales activities in Ireland. Establishing its own sales subsidiary in 2012, the company believes it was a logical step forward to improve the co-operation with its dealer network and growing customer base. Since the founding of its own sales subsidiary in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, its employees were led by management from the Pöttinger headquarters in Grieskirchen, Austria. The move to appoint a new general manager will guide the business forward on site. “With Diarmuid Claridge, we have established a competent person to continue our successful drive in Ireland,” says Sven Niels, sales director for western Europe and Africa.

Diarmuid says: “Together with my team, we will focus on building and maintaining strong relationships with the dealer network and its growing customer base, and extending the service and support network throughout the country.

‘‘I see great potential in our wide product range, in grassland, tillage and seed drill technology sectors. These are machines that are built to meet the high demands of today’s agricultural businesses.”