Valpadana, the specialist manufacturer of compact tractors within the Italian ARGO industrial group, is being represented in Britain by a factory-backed sales and service support organisation from 1st January 2005.
The switch from an independent importer to the sales and service operation handling Landini in this country is expected to raise the profile of the Valpadana name and product line in Britain.
"As part of the Landini UK operation based in Doncaster, Valpadana sales and service will benefit from direct links to the factory and the enthusiastic backing of the ARGO group as a whole," notes Adrian Winnett, sales manager. "There is an industry trend away from importers towards manufacturer operated sales and service organisations; it is now time for Valpadana compact tractors to be supported directly by the manufacturer."
The ARGO industrial group acquired Valpadana SpA in 1995, providing investment for a growing range of innovative compact tractors.
These range from the 11hp series 1000 heavy-duty garden/small horticultural tractor to the equal-size four-wheel drive series 6500 tractors with power outputs up to 54hp and a reverse drive option. The range also includes mini hydrostatic drive tractors from 17hp to 23hp that are ideal for maintenance work in tree plantings, paddock grasscare and small-scale fruit/horticultural work, especially in polytunnels.
Mr Winnett adds: "We have the resources and credibility to supply these reliable, high-performance tractors to both dealers and end users with the reassurance that comes from factory-supported after-sales parts and service."
Former importer, Horsepower UK, has been appointed as a dealer for Kent and parts of Sussex, so customers will continue to benefit from the firm's knowledge and expertise. Elsewhere, the dealer network is being reviewed with the intention of increasing the number of outlets to provide local sales, service and parts.
"A number of dedicated Valpadana dealers will continue to handle the range," notes Mr Winnett. "But as the products are complementary to the Landini line-up, we anticipate that a number of Landini dealers will add the red tractors to their portfolio."
Dealers outside the Landini/Valpadana networks have also expressed interest in the range, which Mr Winnett believes will be a more interesting franchise to leading dealers now that it is supported directly by the manufacturer.
"It would make a particularly good partner franchise for dealerships currently selling either garden machinery or agricultural equipment but lacking a range of professional compact tractors," he suggests. "The power range and design features make the Valpadana machines suitable for a wide range of applications within horticulture, groundscare, farming and other rural enterprises."
