Laurence McMullan was presented with dealer sales manager of the year award at the Agri Machinery Trade News Excellence Awards in Manchester.

He joined the rest of the winners and their guests in a technical tour of the engineering marvel Concorde at the prestigious event.

The awards were created to recognise and reward excellence by people in the farm machinery trade, with voting taking place between October and December last year.

The farm machinery trade was encouraged to vote online for its suppliers, colleagues and team members whom it was felt gave outstanding service throughout the year in their roles.

McMullan was delighted to receive his award, which was said to be in recognition of his “grabbing hold of sales management at the company and taking organisation and professionalism to the next level”.

He was also given credit for the work he does with the brands represented by H Fulton Tractors, including Spearhead, McCormick and Schaffer.

One voter commented: “The team at H Fulton Tractors is continually growing, and Laurence’s impact can be seen not only in sales, but also in the marketing, parts and service departments too.”

When McMullan received the letter from Agri Machinery Trade News, he thought “it was a prank”, and that someone was playing a joke on him. He contacted the organiser and was told that he had indeed been shortlisted for the category and he was to attend the ceremony.

Howard Fulton, managing director of H Fulton Tractors, said the whole company was “delighted” for McMullan.

“He puts a lot of time and effort into his work,” Fulton commented. #

“Being a progressive company, this shows that the hard work of all of the team is certainly paying off and is being noted by those who voted for Laurence in this prestigious award.”

Paul Caunce, awards organiser and outgoing publisher of Agri Machinery Trade News, said: “Business is, and always will be, about people. You can have the best product in the world, but it is nothing without people. “I was fed up with the glory and recognition in the sector going predominantly to pieces of metal, and decided to create the trade excellence awards in 2017 to put that right.”

He added: “To see firsthand what it means for people to be recognised for the hard work, dedication and professionalism they have is truly heartwarming.”

Caunce then thanked the sponsors of the awards, Aldermore, De Lacy Recruitment, Kerax Agri Lubricants, Bradshaw Bennett Agri Dealer Insurance, Pronto Paints and Ambition Brand Support.

“Without their enthusiasm and support, this awards presentation day, and the Concorde technical tour, would not have been possible. Their sponsorship has created a really memorable day for everyone,” Caunce added.