Grimme sets its sights on large-scale growers
Grimme sets its sights on large-scale growers
The new Grimme GBS Harvester with rear up-and-over elevator and twin separation units.
By Peter Hill
POTATO machinery manufacturers face a sharp decline in equipment unit sales at the same time as increased demands on after-sales service, believes Grimme UK managing director Michael Alsop.
"Although potato production has gone through a period of re-structuring that has resulted in fewer but bigger growers, investment in improved harvesters and other equipment to suit large-scale units has kept sales relatively buoyant," he says. "But with that process largely complete, we expect to see a firm downward trend in unit sales."
Grimme hopes the introduction of the GBS 1700 harvester, with its two-stage cleaning facilities, will help sustain an estimated 50% market share of harvester sales in Britain, with large-grower investment in six-row/three-bed systems underpinning future sales.
However, like other manufacturers in this field the company must cope with demand that fluctuates as sharply as the volatile price of potatoes.
Last years record 400-plus potato harvester sales look likely to have slumped to nearer 160 in 2000, and this is seen as a probable average for the coming years.
"With growers relying on fewer harvesters, we have to keep improving our parts and service back-up," says Mr Alsop. "Some growers are already working round the clock when conditions allow; extended down-time for want of a part or someone to fit it will not be tolerated."
Grimme UK is introducing a dealer assessment programme to help identify where improvements can be made, while the in-house electronics used to control and monitor functions on harvesters and a growing number of other Grimme machines, can also be used for quicker analysis and rectification of faults.
In addition to an on-going R&D budget, Grimme has just spent DM30m (£9.1m) at its Damme base on improved design, manufacturing and assembly facilities plus a new training resource.
Turnover last year hit DM180m (£54.5m), says sales director Fritz Bork, 30% up on 1998. This year, the comparable figure is expected to fall back 12% to 16%. *