Kubota makes plans for expansion

Kubota’s long-term commitment to the European market, seen through the establishment of a new tractor factory in France, has had a positive knock-on effect for Kubota UK. Kubota aims to manufacture of 3,000 tractors in France in the first two years of production.

Kubota’s UK headquarters in Thame will undergo a significant expansion at the end of this year, which will usher in a wholesale increase in its current operations. Thame has been Kubota UK’s home for 35 years and employs over 100 people.

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Donegal’s open day at McGinty Tractors

McGinty Tractors, based at Clar Road, Donegal town, will be staging an open day this Thursday 3 April, from 2pm to 9pm.

McGinty is a Valtra tractor dealer and is also a machinery dealer for Kverneland Taarup, Redrock, Nugent, Vicon, Major and Lely. You can get more details by phoning 074-9723645.

Horsch celebrates with new strip drill

German farm machinery company Horsch celebrated 30 years in business with a record turnover of €252m in 2013.

The company was founded by Michael Horsch in 1984. As a farmer, his objective remains that “I will never build a plough” as the Horsch range is designed for minimum tillage applications.

Horsch recently introduced the new Focus TD drill that has been designed for strip and conventional drilling in one machine.

It is available in 4m and 6m working widths and comes with a 5,000-litre grain and fertilizer hopper with a 60:40 split.

Horsch has developed the TerraGrip three-tine system for the Focus TD drill which claims to increase the force of the tines to up to 800kg, so that they move smoothly in the ground even when loosening deeply. The tine spacing has been changed to 30cm.

Amazone’s record sales for 2013

Turnover at the German-based Amazone spreader and sprayer company exceeded €500m in 2013, according to a company report. The 12% increase in turnover at the family-owned company is dominated by 80% exports, mainly across Europe.

Amazone has invested €25m in factory extensions and a technical centre. The company recently entered the plough market to support its cultivation and seeding lines. Amazone is imported and distributed by Farmhand Ltd of Dublin.

Akpil disc harrow and reseeder

Noel Delaney, of Delaney Agricultural Machinery, Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois, is an importer of the Polish manufactured Akpil range of farm machinery. New to the range for 2014 is the Akpil X CX 3m disc cultivator with Akpil electrically driven seed distributor.

The machine has a minimum power requirement of 120hp and, according to Noel, is claimed to be ideal for seeding into stubble or grass. The retail price of the cultivator is €5,500, including VAT, while the seed applicator retails for an additional €1,100, including VAT.

Ministers visits Tanco Norway

As part of the St Patrick’s Day Government Trade Initiative, Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture Tom Hayes visited Tanco Autowrap’s Norwegian importers AK Maskiner to assess the value of the Tanco business in Scandinavia. Norway has been an important export market for Tanco for years as a country where large numbers of round bales of silage are made because of the heavy rainfall climate. Pictured (from left): Minister Tom Hayes; Bo Wallin, president, AK Maskiner Norway; Gunnar Thorud, CEO, AK Maskiner Norway; and Adrian Lyons, Tanco Autowrap.