The Farmers Mart Dec/Jan 2017 - Issue 49 | Page 4

From The Editor

WHERE NEXT FROM HERE ?

As we begin another year , one thing is certain looking back at 2016 : it was a year of big changes and great uncertainty , when no-one really knew what lay in store – not just here in the UK but globally ; and in many respects , we still don ’ t .
LATEST ON LORDS DEBATE ON BREXIT BBC
The effect of Brexit on the UK ’ s renewable and low carbon energy policy will be outlined by the Rt Hon . John Gummer , Lord Deben - chairman of the committee on climate change , at the Energy Now Expo next February 8 & 9 2017 .
The renewable energy sector , while maturing , is in flux , as the industry awaits the government ’ s decisions on subsidy . Currently , experts can only predict what might happen , but at the Energy Now Expo , farmers will be able to
access the most up to date information on government support .
SHOW NEWS The New Year kicks off with some major events , with machinery in the spotlight . LAMMA ’ 17 is all set to go on 18-19 January at the East of England Showground , Peterborough . Free to attend and with around 900 exhibitors , it is a mega show with more than 40,000 visitors expected .
Following hot on the heels of LAMMA , this year the Yorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show
( YAMS ) will be held on 8th February 2017 , after the close of the shooting season , at the York Auction Centre , Murton , York . ( See our preview in this issue ).
‘ this year will be no exception ’
In its first year the show , held on the 5th February 2014 , had a huge impact on the farming calendar , especially from people across the North of England and Scotland , attracting many trade exhibitors and thousands of farmers and other visitors .
This year will be no exception , with good access , free parking , free entry , good food , great atmosphere , friendly , familiar faces from local dealerships and as ever , an impressive array of all the latest machinery and equipment for agriculture , horticulture , ground care and forestry . The show , whose headline sponsor is Lloyds Bank , will be open from 8.30am to 4.30pm .
Of course , the Farmers Mart team will be in evidence so what else can we say but – see you there !

AL-KO Kober continues investment in Bradley Doublelock & Dixon Bate brands

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FOLLOWING THE MERGER BETWEEN AL-KO Kober Vehicle Technology Division and Dexter Axle at the beginning of 2016 , AL-KO Kober Limited has announced the relocation and integration of the recentlyacquired Bradley Doublelock business into the company ’ s UK HQ in Southam , Warwickshire . The relocation is part of a group-wide review of the Yorkshirebased business and includes all sales and manufacturing departments .
Commenting for AL-KO Kober , a spokesman says : “ A significant amount of work has already been done to re-energise the Bradley and Dixon Bate brands and product ranges since AL-KO Kober acquired the company in 2014 and this move has been designed to further strengthen the organisation . It will ensure that both AL-KO Kober and Bradley Doublelock provide the best range of heavy-duty towing and trailer equipment and vehicle chassis solutions available in the market ; and the restructuring within the business also ensures that both brands continues to lead the industry .”
The move to integrate the Bradley business and the manufacture of the diverse product range into the plant in Southam will enable long standing customer relationships to continue , whilst improving the efficiency of supply of products that have led the trailer and towing components market for decades .
The company has also completed a product rationalisation program that identifies similar products across the ranges from both companies . Where possible , this has led to a refinement in the products being offered and opened up the wider availability of components to both
Bradley and AL-KO customers . “ Meeting buyers ’ expectations for service , deliveries and ensuring our customers get what they need , when they need it has been a major objective throughout the project . To meet this , we have put in place supplier relationships with wholesalers to hold stocks of the frequently ordered ranges to improve and maintain consistent delivery lead times to original equipment manufacturers , trailer and towing components outlets and end users .”
The Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland territories will continue to be supported by the sales and distribution office based in Athlone , County Westmeath .
4 Dec / Jan 2017 www . farmers-mart . co . uk