Facing the multiple requirements of agricultural tires, the range includes different tire sizes with tire widths up to 800 mm, rim diameters of 46”, and tire diameters of up to 2.05 m. Thus, John Deere is expanding its existing Continental tire selection for mid tractors. Continental has been supplying John Deere with the Tractor70 and Tractor85 tires since 2019. Now, customers can specify all John Deere 6M and 6R series models with all Continental tires approved ex-works.

TractorMaster and VF TractorMaster: flexible use on field and road

Both tire models are characterized by their particular robustness, durability, and high mileage. The radial tires have a five percent higher lug surface area than comparable agricultural tires due to the special design and application of the d.fine lug technology developed by Continental. This ensures longer mileage. The tire’s material and the so-called n.flex technology ensure its particularly high stability of shape and impact.

The carcass material made of stretchable nylon is flexible enough to withstand an impact – without losing its original shape. Furthermore, the flexible material allows the tire to adapt particularly well to uneven ground. Thanks to this flexibility, the tire quickly returns to its original shape.

“With the TractorMaster, John Deere is expanding its tire portfolio with a test winner in the agricultural tire segment, which stands for efficiency and cost-effectiveness,”

says Jens Mund, Key Account Manager for agricultural tire original equipment at Continental Commercial Specialty Tires.

In 2019, the German Agricultural Society (DLG) certified the TractorMaster premium quality and Continental tire competed against other European premium tire manufacturers in the DLG test.

Both product lines are manufactured at the state-of-the-art Continental plant in Lousado, Portugal.

The partnership underlines Continental’s Agricultural Growth Strategy

John Deere has been offering its customers Continental agricultural tires since 2019. Jens Mund continuous:

“We are delighted that John Deere is expanding its tire range with further tires from us. This underscores our growth ambitions in the agricultural sector.”

The post Continental & John Deere Partnership: Further Approval for Agricultural Tires appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“Ivory has extensive experience in talent management, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, leadership development, and total rewards and will be a key partner in achieving our strategic aspirations. I look forward to leveraging her passion and experience as we create outstanding experiences for our employees and our farmer customers in the years ahead,”

said Eric Hansotia, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

Ms. Harris joins AGCO following a 17-year career at BASF, where she held roles of increasing scope and responsibility throughout her tenure. Her most recent role was Vice President, People Service, US. Previous roles included Vice President, Total Rewards & Corporate HR Solutions, North America and Global Director, Human Resources, Bioscience Research. Ms. Harris also previously held a Senior Project Expert, International Delegation role based in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Source: AGCO

The post AGCO Names Ivory Harris Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Running a business in a rural area comes with some wonderful perks, such as lower crime rates, beautiful scenery to enjoy, and a sense of community connection that differs from urban areas.

However, it also comes with some unique challenges for workforce development. These can include a lack of access to broadband internet, rural “brain drain,” a lack of diversity, and limited access to educational advancement opportunities. Additionally, there may be challenges with community resources, such as transportation, childcare, health care, and housing. Although every community is different, there are still best practices supported by research and demonstrate solutions that can be considered to support and enhance the rural workforce.

There have been multiple research reports published on rural economies and the workforce. In 2017, the Investing in America’s Workforce initiative held listening sessions and conducted extensive research. The focus of the initiative was to shed light on workforce challenges and opportunities, with rural issues included.

The research identified stakeholder strategies to build stronger rural economies. Building off of the research and listening sessions from 2017, a 2019 report entitled Strengthening Workforce Development in Rural Areas by Ashley Bozarth and Whitney Strifler, was published by the Federal Reserve. The relevant findings presented in Strengthening Workforce Development in Rural Areas are reflected in the data and suggestions provided in this article and AEM’s Rural Workforce Action Plan in the recently released AEM Workforce Solutions Toolkit.

Current Outlook

According to Strengthening Workforce Development in Rural Areas:

• One out of every four businesses located outside metro areas struggles to find qualified workers, compared with one out of six in metro areas.
• Adults 65 and older average 25% of rural populations, versus 19% in metro areas.
• White, non-Hispanic adults age 16 and older make up about 82% of the population in nonmetro areas, compared to 60 percent in metro areas.
• The vast majority of counties with persistent poverty, where more than 20% of the population has been living in poverty over the past 30 years, are located in nonmetro areas
• 40% of nonmetro renter households and 21% of nonmetro owner-occupants spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
• 58% of rural census tracts in the United States have limited or no access to quality childcare.
• In rural areas, the overdose rate exceeded metropolitan rates in 2015.
• Rural residents comprise 57% of the population in neighborhoods with no broadband access, but only 15% of the country’s total population.

What You Can Do

To address rural workforce issues, companies need to be willing to think beyond their own needs by connecting and investing in their communities. One report encouraged companies to approach rural workforce development with a quasi-public good approach. The systemic challenges faced by rural businesses require a willingness to collaborate with key community stakeholders in a way that encompasses the five broadly categorized best practices below.

These are robust strategies that require a community focus and long-term mindset. Organizations like economic development corporations or chambers of commerce often lead these initiatives. Lending your support, at whatever level you are able, will contribute to your community’s success and a stronger available workforce.

Rural Workforce Strategies

The strategies outlined below tie closely with those framed in Strengthening Workforce Development in Rural Areas. Additional research reports and articles confirmed the validity of this comprehensive strategy set.

Connect youth and adult workers with education and training programs that relate directly to existing and burgeoning industry sectors.

A critical piece of the rural workforce puzzle is ensuring that the limited educational programs available in rural settings match the skill and labor needs of the community. It is important that programs create clear career pathways from school to employment. Presenting these pathways to both youth and adult learners is critical. Funding career technical education (CTE) can and should be supported through both public and private agencies. These connections are best supported through industry education partnerships. (Examples of career pathways and funding opportunities can be found in the Workforce Solutions Toolkit.)

Support economic diversification initiatives that increase economic resiliency.

Many rural communities have one or two anchor businesses that drive the economy. Losing one of those key industries can put a community at risk. Diversification of business size and type can help stabilize the impact of potential losses. This diversity also paves the way for attracting workers along the entire skill spectrum. Understanding this dynamic while contributing to a collaborative effort makes sense.

Create community amenities that improve the quality of life in order to attract and retain workers.

Rural employers face a duality when recruiting and retaining employees: the challenge of disproportionate rural poverty and reduced educational access, and the opportunity to entice additional workers who are looking to experience abundant natural resources or a community experience that differs from urban areas. These challenges and opportunities give rural employers the ability to leverage benefits beyond wages while building their workforce. Employers should articulate their area’s unique benefits when posting positions, as it can be very effective (especially if they are targeting a specific audience).

Support community development efforts focused on reducing common rural barriers including transportation, housing, childcare, health care, and broadband.

When willing people are held back from working by issues such as transportation, housing, and lack of childcare, businesses will need to ask themselves whether it is more expensive to invest in solutions or suffer the loss of production capacity. Rural communities also disproportionately lack quality broadband coverage which, in today’s world, is an expectation of workers looking to relocate. Businesses may not want to take these issues on themselves, but engagement in community efforts to address these issues directly benefits workforce recruitment and retention.

Collaborate across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors to align workforce development, economic development, and community development goals.

Rural communities, businesses, and economies face unique challenges that require community stakeholders to work together to overcome. Learn more about how communities can come together and create success by viewing the resources in the Educational Partnership, Regional Initiatives, and Rural Workforce action plans inside the AEM Workforce Solutions Toolkit.

Source: AEM

The post AEM Address the Rural Workforce Challenge appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Five New Dealer Partners

Interest in SANY equipment has been surging, said Erwood, including demand for the new motor grader and drum roller revealed at ConExpo earlier this year. Prospective new SANY dealers have told Erwood they are impressed with the company’s overall vision for growth in North America, the broad range of equipment offerings, and the global strength of the SANY brand.

“Dealer interest remains strong, and SANY is actively executing its strategy to expand its dealer network across the United States,”

said Erwood.

In just the first few months of the year, five new dealers have joined the SANY dealer network, from the Northeast to the Southwest. And Erwood says there are many more currently working to start the process of offering SANY equipment at their locations.

Northeast Heavy Metal LLC (SANY New York)

Based in Lockport, N.Y., just outside of Buffalo, Northeast Heavy Metal LLC (SANY New York), has partnered with SANY to provide excavators, wheel loaders, and other construction equipment. The dealership is the third SANY dealer location in New York state and will provide machinery, service, and support for customers in Western New York and the Finger Lakes region.

Central Power Systems & Services

Located just a few miles from the Missouri River in Maryland Heights, just outside of St. Louis, is Central Power Systems & Services Inc. For more than 60 years, the company has delivered a full range of products and services for construction, oil and gas, mining, military, and many other industries, and now offers the full line of SANY construction equipment to customers at the Gateway to the West.

A1 Iron Corporation

Also joining the dealer network is A1 Iron Corporation in La Vista, Nebraska. In addition to providing the full line of SANY equipment along with service and maintenance options for customers in the Great Plains, A1 Iron also has the distinction of being the first exclusive SANY dealer in the state of Nebraska.

Trinity Equipment

On the Pacific Coast, SANY welcomed Trinity Equipment, Inc. in Colton, California. This veteran-owned and operated dealer is serving customers throughout Southern California, providing heavy machinery for construction projects and landscaping operations across the region.

Innovative Equipment Services LLC (EquipmentShare)

Finally, Innovative Equipment Services LLC (EquipmentShare) in Phoenix, Arizona is not only the latest SANY dealer, but holds two unique distinctions. It is the first dealer located in the state, and also marks the sixth dealer location for EquipmentShare with exclusive SANY retail distribution rights.

Building Partnerships for Success

Unlike some vendor relationships, SANY takes pride in truly working as a partner with each dealer, taking time to truly understand each dealer’s goals and challenges while working alongside them to make sure they succeed. SANY works to become a strategic partner with its dealers, working to provide tools and services that enhance the value of their business and equip them with everything needed to be successful as a dealer.

“We have a comprehensive and efficient new dealer evaluation process that focuses not only on the financial capabilities and geographic location of the dealer, but on the construction of a detailed strategic plan,”

said Erwood.

“The strategic plan covers all aspects of a dealer’s operations and provides a roadmap to success. SANY takes the time to understand the strengths and motivations of its dealer partner to maximize a dealer’s return on investment.”

As part of this process, SANY representatives complete tours of facilities to understand operations on the ground and conduct interviews with management teams at each dealership to meet them personally and start forging a working partnership. SANY also performs financial, operational, and market research as part of the evaluation, working to make sure prospective dealers are set up to both be successful as a dealership and deliver on the SANY promise for every customer.

More than Machines – Sany Delivers Partnerships #MadeForAmerica

Both customers and dealer partners praise the performance, competitive pricing, and industry-leading five-year, 5,000-hour warranty that is synonymous with SANY equipment. SANY works to deliver reliability and performance to its customers and takes the same approach with its dealer relationships. Time and again, new dealers say that working with SANY is unlike the relationships they’ve had with other OEMs, with SANY investing time and effort to forge a true partnership, providing the tools, services, and support they need to succeed. This relationship also helps SANY ensure that from coast to coast, SANY customers know they will find the same consistent quality, performance, and assistance at their local SANY dealer.

Source: SANY

The post Sany Expands Its US Dealer Network appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The analysis company Strat7 Bonamy Finch measured Väderstad’s brand against nine other companies on the Swedish market. 99 percent of farmers surveyed said that they were familiar or very familiar with Väderstad as a company and an overwhelming majority were positive about Väderstad’s brand.

Source: Väderstad

The post Väderstad stands out in survey: “The strongest brand we have seen” appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Source: FENDT

The post Fendt Campaigns Win German Brand Award 2020 appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.