Progressive, forward-thinking, ambitious and open-minded: these are characteristics vital to a successful business person, according to the manager of national sales of Massey Ferguson for the UK and Ireland, William Judge.

Massey Ferguson is just one agricultural machinery brand owned and produced by AGCO, the company William works for, and the 36-year-old has catapulted through the ranks of this business since he started in the company in 2007.

AGCO is a huge player in the world of agricultural machinery. It had sales of $9.7billion in 2014 and it also owns and produces the Fendt and Challenger brands of machinery. William was originally the sales manager for both of these brands in Ireland. He then worked as the AGCO harvesting sale manager for the UK and Ireland from 2012, before being promoted to his current role.

A machinery enthusiast, the Edenderry native has thrived in the agri-machinery industry since he began working in the sector after college, and such enthusiasm can be traced back to his agricultural upbringing.

“Where I grew up, I was surrounded by farms. My father worked for a farmer and I spent a lot of time on farms myself. Even from a young age, I wanted to be a farm manager, because I was so heavily involved in it. From the engineering and practical side, I had an interest in the mechanical activity of it all, so I knew it was the career path for me.”

Studying agriculture in Warrentown and then Edinburgh, William then went back to college to study business in Tallaght IT. While in college in Tallaght, he also worked as a salesman in RF Colton in Tullamore and, under the guidance of owner Ronnie Colton, William found an inner drive and desire to pursue this particular career.

“I learned a lot in RF Colton, and especially under Ronnie. He drove me to do more and have higher aspirations for myself. They gave you freedom to push yourself and gave me the skillset I needed to go where I wanted to go.

“You learn a lot about the market and the industry in a place like that.”

Experience at ground level

With previous jobs such as working on a dairy and livestock enterprise and a year with a combine crew in the USA, William gained experience at ground level.

Accompanied by his degrees in agriculture and business, as well as experience in sales from Colton’s, he began working for AGCO and has never looked back.

But how well can he balance it all? The answer is not too badly at all. The father of one believes time management is a major factor in keeping a healthy relationship between work and family.

“It is all about being organised and managing your time. You have to relax as-well. My wife Arantxa is a great support at home. Our son Fionn is six, so it can get hectic, but it is great all the same. I am a big fan of rugby as well, so that is an escape.”

What about the industry itself? Well, according to William, while it is challenging, the rewards are there.

“The thing I love about the industry is that it is personal. You’re always out meeting farmers and getting to know new people. The agricultural sector is family orientated. Because you are dealing with people at farm level, there is an affiliation and warmth there you may not get in other industries. It can be challenging at times, but overall it is worth it.”

The greatest testimony to William’s workload may be seen in his New Year’s resolution: a vow to take all his holidays this year. You wouldn’t begrudge him that.

If you are interested in a career in the agri-industry, come along to the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair, which takes place in the RDS on 3 March 2016. For more information, click here.