The Farmers Mart Feb-Mar 2020 - Issue 67 | Page 40

40 FARMSTAR
FEB/MAR 2020 • farmers-mart.co.uk
Andrew was briefly involved with two
Scotsmen who were looking to break the
Polish market with second-hand and new
tractors. This was an interesting time, as
Poland was a dangerous place in the late
90’s. It proved immense fun dealing with
the Poles, showing them how to repair
their antiquated machines and educating
them about the new and better machines
from the UK. However, it was time-con-
suming and Farmstar really needed all
its core people on hand. So that brief
chapter was closed.
The business continued to grow and
take on new franchises to complement
the various farming communities they
served. Sadly, Ian Husler became very ill
in 2003 and passed away at the age of 67
in 2007. This hit the business hard. Then
came the question of which director
was to take over. As Andrew was the
biggest driver of sales and momentum
had to be maintained it was decided it
must be Andrew who led the business
going forward. The next chapter began.
Following Ian Husler was not an easy set
of boots to fill. However, in true style,
Andrew stepped right up to the plate to
keep Farmstar moving and, more impor-
tantly, developing.
FARMSTAR has continued to grow
and develop, all the while keeping its
core values - being united with the
customer (the customer being number
one); working as a team, with everyone
supporting each other. Something that
both Shaun and Andrew attribute to
their success, is no middle management
– Andrew is Managing Director and still
a Salesman, Shaun is Group After Sales
(Service and Parts) Director, with Tom
Clark as Sales Manager. Brian and Richard
are still at the Helm of Market Weighton.
Sadly, Mark Benn passed away and
Simon Hall is Depot Manager at Newark.
Clive Parker and Tony Hailstone decided
to follow pastures new and nowadays
Sam Williams manages the Brigg depot
and has recently been appointed Group
Parts Manager.
Recently we have seen the refurbish
and re-launch of the Brigg depot, it now
becoming the leading CASE dealership
in Lincolnshire. Newark is currently
undertaking a big refurb, which will trans-
form the site and become their KUBOTA
flagship depot as well as remaining one of
the area’s leading Case IH Dealership.
In 2019, Farmstar was the top CASE
dealer for tractors in the UK. Andrew
continues to develop the depot teams,
moving people about for experience and
also trying new ideas.
This year, Farmstar is very proud
to be fundraising for the Yorkshire Air
Ambulance. A very popular charity with
all areas of the farming community.
As I said earlier, the 2020 open day in
January was the celebration of 30 years
in business and a day Farmstar wanted
to make that bit different and better
than ever. Well Gaynor Waddington, the
Marketing Manager and the team cer-
tainly did that. The ‘upgraded’ Farmstar
image was very noticeable on Open Day.
First, looking for that WOW factor and to
support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance,
Gaynor organised for a CASE IH Puma
175 CVX to be fully wrapped in the Air
Ambulance Yellow as a showstopper for
the fundraising this year – looks fantastic.
An added treat for everyone on the day
was a visit from the Air Ambulance, but
only if it hadn’t been called to an inci-
dent. The Air Ambulance team, pilot and
doctors were great answering questions
and allowing people to get close up and
learn more about it. The Farmstar logo
has also been updated to include their
sponsorship of the Air Ambulance. On
the day, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance
team sold raffle tickets for the first time
and raised an amazing £1900 on the
day, which is a new record for this type
of event. As part of their commitment
to the Air Ambulance in 2020, Farmstar
are holding a grand charity fund-raising
event at the Earl Of Doncaster Hotel on
November 20th – to reserve a ticket or a
table of ten, email to: marketing@farm-
star.co.uk . The Air Ambulance tractor
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