John Colgan, Kverneland Group Ireland’s demonstrator and one of the farm machinery trade’s best known personalities, has decided to retire after more than 50 years in the business.

John began his career with IAM (Irish Agricultural Machinery) in the late 1970s, taking on a service role, looking after Deutz Fahr tractors and combines, Welger balers and both Taarup and McConnel brands.

By the early 1980s, John was out on the road providing service and training to dealers and farmers for all machines offered by IAM. Adding Kverneland to the offering brought about a different requirement to the distribution and demonstration of a broader range of machinery. Soon after, a new company, Kverneland Taarup was set up in Kilkenny, running alongside IAM. John’s role developed into a largely teaching and demonstrating one, keeping dealer staff up to date with new machines.

John’s technical ability meant he became a link from the ground to the Kverneland Group factories, supporting research and development projects, helping to develop new machines. This link remains very strong to this day, with Kverneland factory personnel holding John in very high esteem.

John’s feedback over the years has been incorporated into many of the modern machines in use today. We wish John all the best in his retirement.