Keeping down time at bay earns dealership accolades

The Dealer of the Year is a highly coveted accolade within the Argo Industrial family. This award recognises the dealership that stood out amongst its peers based on performance, customer relations and value brought to marker.

“While our Dealer of the Year Awards celebrates the achievement of individual dealerships, it also highlights the commitment of each of the staff members at the dealership towards client service.  We are confident that our dealers provide the best service to farmers, contractors, and customers,” says Godfried Heydenrych, Managing Director of Argo Tractors SA.

The evaluation of the dealers covered all strategic areas of the business including market share, new tractor and parts sales, and aftersales service. The dealerships are measured every month according to set goals. Recently during a gala event, Schweizer Landini in Schweizer Reneke was honoured as Argo Tractors South Africa Dealer of the Year for 2023.

Schweizer Landini is a reputable dealer in the agricultural town of Schweizer-Reneke in the North West. This dealership was established in 2008 as PJ van der Merwe tractor dealership but changed its name in 2011 to Schweizer Landini. Throughout this time the dealership has become a trusted source for both new and used tractors, as well as agricultural implements.

The services that the dealership provides include sales, maintenance, and repairs. The dealership is servicing clients in a wide area covering Schweizer-Reneke, Vryburg, Wolmaransstad, Bloemhof and Migdol. This area is well-known for the grain and cotton production.

“Since 2008 our client base has expanded due to our popular brands and good service. Today the business is well known in our trading area. The business survived some difficult drought years from 2015 to 2019, but we were privileged that we have always been able to support our farmers, even through tough times.”

“The success of the past year can be attributed to the good rains received in the area over the past three years that lead to good yields and harvest. We are extremely thankful for that and would also wish to thank our loyal clients for their continuous support,” Van der Merwe says.

He explains that Argo Industrial provides them with a wide range of tractors to cater to every need of the farmer – from small garden tractors up to the large, hard-working tractors needed for crop production.  “As the agricultural sector is getting more competitive and input costs rise it becomes imperative that us as dealers cater to the specific needs of our clients.”

“Because we cater to an area focusing on row crops, as well as livestock and game farming, we have the total range of tractor models in both the Landini and McCormick brands available. Our location puts us in a position to offer a comprehensive and affordable service to our clients.”

He points out that the Landini 68-74kW Super range, the Landini 100Kw Landpower range, and the 130+kW  Landini X7 tractors are very popular. “The smaller tractors are mostly use for planting and other in-field cultivation practices, while the bigger and stronger tractors are used for soil preparation before planting.”

The smaller Landini Solis tractor with backhoe, he says, is popular with livestock farmers for cleaning  the kraal and for servicing fire breaks and farm fences.

According to van der Merwe, the success of the dealership lies in hard work, dedication, and a focus on after-sales service. “Our clients are our first priority because our success depends on their loyalty.  Keeping tractor parts in stock is crucial for supporting our clients. We want to minimise downtime. When a tractor breaks down, having the necessary parts in stock can significantly reduce the downtime, ensuring that the farmer can return to his operations with minimal disruption.”

He says the staff component of 10 at the dealership is very proud of their achievement. “We are truly blessed to receive this honour, but it follows the commitment of my staff. This would not have been possible without their hard work and dedication. We operate as a family where each member must add value and support one another.”