Cultivation equipment manufacturer Grégoire Besson UK Group and seeding and fertilisation equipment manufacturer Sulky Burel UK have appointed Robert Thurkettle as managing director for the UK market.
In 2017 the family-owned French machinery manufacturers agreed to collaborate on the sales, marketing and customer service of Grégoire Besson, Sulky Burel and Rabe products in the UK to improve efficiencies and strengthen their existing relationship. The companies share a single head office and a parts distribution centre in Bourne, Lincolnshire.
The collaboration takes on a new dimension with the recent appointment of Robert Thurkettle’s appointment. He will be working closely with Ailsa Walker who has overseen the restructure and growth of the two businesses since 2017.
Robert has many years of experience in the farm machinery sector; as a farm manager for Sentry Farming, in sales at John Deere dealer Ben Burgess, and as Dealer Principal at AGCO dealer Thurlow Nunn Standen (TNS) in Ely, Cambridgeshire, where he oversaw the restructure and move of their head office and satellite office to a new purpose-built head office. More recently, Robert managed area sales for market-leading GPS equipment supplier, LH Agro.
On his new role, Robert says: “I’m delighted to have been appointed by Grégoire Besson UK Group and Sulky Burel UK. This is an exciting time in agriculture, with a myriad of opportunities and challenges for UK farmers and contractors.
“The UK market is very important to both Grégoire Besson and Sulky Burel. We have excellent products and technology, and a growing and robust dealer network to service our customers.
“My focus will be on continuing to build the presence of both brands in this competitive market, and supporting our sales, parts, and head office team to capitalise on the opportunities for growth and provide excellent customer service.”
