Kramp Focus Magazine 2013-01 UK

11/13 Focus

FocusKramp customer magazine113

Order parts with just one click

3PAGE

Social media

PAG

E

Presenting the Expert range from the European market leader in hand tools

6Supplier PortraitFACOM

A successful show

12PAG

E

SIMA Paris 2013

IntellIgent It solutIonsReady foR the futuRe with KRampRead more from page 8

2

editoRial

share your views with usOur mission is to make things as easy as possible for our customers, allowing them to concentrate on their core activities. This principle is translated into all our services and service concepts, such as night-time deliveries, a wide range of products and IT solutions including EDI, Scan to Mobile and the web shop. These tools make ordering and managing parts easy.

But we want to know what you think — so to determine how satisfied Kramp customers are with our services, we plan to ask you how you rate our efforts. In addition to our existing feedback button, we have now also added 'seven quick questions' to our web shop. Every three months, you will be able to tell us how satisfied you are with our services in just seven clicks. For a more in-depth assessment of the services we provide, we will ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire once every two years. We will also be using other channels to optimise our services including social media such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Our aim is to remain in direct contact with our customers, suppliers and end users so that we can keep on informing and inspiring one another.

By sharing your views with us, you can help us tailor our products and services to your needs. We look forward to receiving your responses.

eddie Perdok, Kramp Group CEO

index

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8

social mediaGreater interaction and alignment with customer requirements

newsProducts and market

supplier portraitFACOM: Presenting the Expert range from the European market leader in hand tools

tips & tricksResearch: Your views count

In FocusIntelligent IT SupportReady for the future with Kramp

events SIMA Paris 2013: a successful show

engagementAfricatrack: Self help through mechanisation

Customer portraitJ Low Agri Services Ltd: From Strength to Strength

Face of KrampDan Mayor; Workshop SupervisorDon Shapland; Warehouse Cleaner

AcademyCustomers give Kramp Academy the thumbs up

noticeboardNew building, shows and other company news

MosaicPloughing matches – a precision sport, App: IPhoto

QuizSearch and find

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it’s that easy

The way in which people, companies and organisations communicate with one another is changing. This shift can be attributed to social media, a collective name for all Internet applications that allow users to share information with one another in an attractive, user-friendly way. These online

communication channels are used by groups of people to talk about topics they consider important or of interest to them.

Kramp is working hard to incorporate social media into its marketing and communication. "We want to use social media not only to inform others of our products and services but, more specifically, to hear what customers think about them", explains Dirk Wolbers, Social Media Specialist at Kramp. "That is the main principle of social media. It's not about one way traffic between us and our customers, it’s about fast, informal and open interactive communication". Since August, Kramp has been using an internal communication platform called SocialCast. According to Dirk, this represents an important step towards making people in the organisation more aware of social media. "Most people already use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or LinkedIn at home", he says. "So we are now working together to implement these channels for business purposes".

Kramp Benelux launched its own Facebook page in December. Following a start-up phase, during which the page could only be accessed by a closed group of customers and suppliers, the page was made public. For each of the countries in which we operate, we are now looking into whether a local Facebook page could provide added value for customers and suppliers. "We are also looking into the possibility of using Twitter and Google+ in a very accessible way to send out messages on behalf of the Kramp Group", Dirk explains. "This could be news about new partnerships, experiences at events or new services in our portfolio. Through these messages, we can invite our followers to share their views with us".

Twitter can also help the HR department find potential new candidates for job vacancies at a local level. Through Twitter, we can talk to people in their own language about why it is so interesting to work for Kramp. "We are first setting up the various social media channels so that we can later roll them out and connect them to existing communication channels all at the same time", concludes Dirk. "In the meantime, we are working to build the experience we need, which will be of direct benefit to us and our customers at a later stage in the process. We will keep you informed of our progress".

Social media has become an

indispensable tool in today's

business interactions.

More and more companies

are using online channels

such as Facebook, Twitter,

YouTube and LinkedIn

to communicate with

customers. A significant

advantage of these

channels is the high degree

of interaction they offer.

Kramp, too, is busy working

behind the scenes to

implement a social media

strategy.

social media as Kramp sees it• Interaction with customers

and suppliers comes first• Working together to ensure

that products and services are optimally aligned with customer needs

• service orientated: available and accessible, at all times and from anywhere

• greater openness and involvement: customers and suppliers have a better idea of Kramp's current activities

www.kramp.com

Greater inte

ract

ion

and

alignment

4

PRODUCTs news

Next day delivery

Replace your sprayer Parts easily with Kramp

Whether it’s out of season maintenance or a breakdown situation, Kramp is THE source for replacement parts for your sprayer. A full range of parts and accessories for market leading brands, including Hypro, Arag, Teejet and Lechler are available for delivery on a next day basis. You’ll find it easy to navigate and identify the desired parts at www.kramp.com. If you’re looking for brand specific technical products or general maintenance products such as sprayer tube, oil, beacons or lamps, Kramp can help. It’s that easy.

For more information, visit www.kramp.com

Kramp is pleased to announce a new partnership with TEXA, the world leading company for multi-brand diagnostics. The new diagnostic tool has been specifically designed for the agricultural

market. The AXONE 4 combined with the NAVIGATOR TXT and the IDC4 AGRI software offers a simple diagnosis on tractors and combine harvester electronic systems, through a wireless connection via Bluetooth.

The IDC4 software provides a whole series of additional data and technical information relative to the selected vehicle which will aid the technician during repair.

Data to help repair

texa tractor Diagnosis with Axone 4

Gopart lubricants are versatile, competitively priced and very powerful. This no nonsense oil range has been developed to a high specification and

is able to cope with high demands to give maximum performance. These oils have been designed to suit most vehicle types. GoPart oils have no minimum order quantity, which

means that you can order oil when you need it.GoPart oil and lubrication products cater for all requirements within the range including hydraulic, transmission and engine oils plus many more. Popular items in the range include HLP46 hydraulic oil and UTTO universal oil. Volume quantities start at 1 litre and run through to 208 litre drums. The GoPart oil range also includes the handy 60 litre drums giving extra flexibility for customers who need more than 20 litres but don’t want to invest in the larger 208 litre quantities.The GoPart brand has a solid reputation for quality products at competitive prices and these lubricants are no different.

Keeps things running smoothly

Versatile, powerful, but great value

For information on these products call 01767 602602. Kramp It’s that easy.

For further information contact Kramp on 01767 602602.

UK Phillip Watkins - new High-Tip trailer on display at LAMMA 2013. It can be hoisted and tips from up to 2.2mtrs high.

USA Anderson's company ATC (Autonomous Tractor Corporation) has equipped the Spirit robot with an Area Positioning System (APS) based on laser control. This is far more accurate than GPS and an essential feature for safety reasons.

USA Challenger promises greater power with lower fuel consumption for owners of its new 700 series track tractor. The series includes the models MT 745 D, MT 755 D and MT 765 D with maximum outputs of 250, 267 and 285 kW, which equates to 335, 358 and 382 hp respectively. The tractor has an 8.4 litre six-cylinder Agco engine.

D Fendt's new 500 series has a maximum output ranging from 92 to 121 kW (125 to 165 hp), delivered by a 4.4 litre four-cylinder Deutz engine with common rail fuel injection and SCR. The Vario ML 90 CVT provides continuously variable transmission, and the PTO shaft operates at speeds of 540, 540 E and 1000.

CH Lindner's Geotrac 134 ep is fitted with a four-cylinder 4.4 litre Perkins diesel engine and can reach a maximum of 104 kW (141 hp) at 1900 rpm. The ZF 4-speed powershift transmission is combined with four gears and two groups.

UK Weaving Machinery unveiled their new Sabre Tine Drill at LAMMA 2013. It is a drill that can be used on ploughed ground or directly into stubble and should appeal to those struggling with ground conditions unsuitable for heavier fieldwork.

F Easy Control refers to the electronics used in Dangreville's manure spreaders to automatically adjust the speed of the floor chain to the spread width and driving speed of the tractor. Easy Control also takes the slip percentage into account.

NL The new KV 4500 box filler from Bijlsma Hercules, which is also capable of filling big bags, was tested last winter on the crop farm of the Werkman partnership in Hornhuizen, in the province of Groningen.

F Kverneland and Sulky both received an award from the SIMA organisation for their innovative idea of linking spreading data from each of their test halls (via USB flash drive or SD card) with the spreading computer in the tractor. This solution means that fertiliser spreaders can easily be configured in the most efficient and effective way.

UK NRH Engineering has updated their range of sub-soilers at LAMMA to incorporate hydraulic re-set as an option. The range now consists of auto reset in addition to the standard shear bolt protection on the system and is available in 3, 5 and 7 leg versions.

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in bRief

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This hard wearing, reliable multi-line trimmer head (item no. FgP454978) is suitable for the occasional and professional user. The trimmer head is made from aluminium and has a redesigned line lock. It is easy to reload and ready to use in no time at all. It can be assembled without an adaptor bolt and the trimmer lines on this universal trimmer head are easily replaceable. Suitable for brushcutters from 35cc upwards, with a 20mm or 25.4mm connection. The trimmer head is supplied complete with an adapter ring for assembly and 10 nylon trimmer lines with a diameter of 3.3mm and a length of 300mm

For further information visit www.kramp.com

Easy to use

the professional multi-line aluminium trimmer head

Plasson’s comprehensive range of solutions for connecting PE pipe can be found in over 80 countries worldwide. The combination of Plasson’s high quality products and first class customer service make it a world leader in the production of plastic pipe fittings.

Quality is key

Plasson uK ltd

For further information visit www.kramp.com

Gopart Chains meet the needs of our customers perfectly and form a great

addition to our existing range. Gopart chains conform to all standard requirements, and the ultra strong chrome layer on the chisels mean that the chain has an improved sawing action and a longer service life. The service life is extended even further by the innovative Centri-Lube system — a specially designed channel in each drive link, which ensures an optimum level of lubrication and reduces friction to a minimum. The webshop also offers chains with drive links that are equipped with a kickback reduction feature (bumper link). We can supply the saw chains on rolls of 100 or 25 feet, or made to measure.

For further information visit www.kramp.com

The perfect alternative at a great price

gopart Chains

D German agricultural machinery manufacturers affiliated with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) achieved a record turnover of 7.66 billion euros last year. This figure is nearly ten percent higher than in 2011, when VDMA members generated a turnover of 6.98 billion euros.

UK Amendments to the common agricultural policy may see farmers being rewarded up to 30% of their subsidy automatically if they show that they have enrolled in environmentally responsible schemes.

NL Agridirect has conducted a study into the plans of Dutch contractors. Of the 1,600 companies questioned, over 16% are keen to invest in tractors this year and 12.5% want to expand their company. Another finding is that more contractors are planning to stop operating this year than in previous years.

UK AGCO reported sales up by 13.6% for 2012 to $10bn.

CH Bucher Industries, Kuhn's parent company, generated a turnover of 1,014 million euro last year; a 22% increase compared to 2011, when it achieved a turnover of 832 million euros.

USA Agco, the parent company of Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Valtra and a number of others, achieved a record turnover of 7.4 billion euros (10 billion dollars) last year, a 13.6% increase compared to 2011.

F Goodyear will be marking its withdrawal from the manufacture of agricultural tyres with the closure of its plant in Amiens-Nord. Goodyear previously sold its agricultural activities in the US and Latin America to Titan Tire.

D The 2012 sales figures for the German agricultural tractor market show John Deere to be market leader with 20.9%. Fendt is in second place with 16.5% and Deutz-Fahr in third with 10.9%. Fourth to tenth positions were taken by Case IH/Steyr, Claas, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Kubota, Iseki and SLH respectively.

UK Claas reported sales up 4% for 2012.

UK Tractor registrations for January were only one unit down on the same period in 2012 A Steyr and John Deere both increased their sales significantly in Austria (by around 3.5 percentage points) compared to 2011. Other climbers were Massey Ferguson and New Holland, with Lindner and Fendt losing a significant share of the market.

6

supplieR poRtRait

FACOM

Presenting the expert range from the european market leader in hand tools

Two years have passed since Kramp signed a partnership agreement with FACOM, a Stanley Black & Decker Group company and European market leader in hand tools. Born from Kramp’s desire to provide its customers with an ever increasing range of high quality products and services, this collaboration has given customers an opportunity to grow their hand tool sales with Kramp, and now FACOM have announced an expansion of products to include a packaged version.

Providing the tools for customer growthThe Expert brand offers 1,800 product items all available through Kramp and this includes items which have been bar coded to allow for scan to order systems. The Expert brand has been created to offer a striking product that will give you the opportunity to grow your hand tool sales. Jean-Marie Vilar, Expert’s Operational Marketing Manager explains:

“The partnership with Kramp and the new product range represents a fantastic opportunity for Expert to provide a tailored solution for users in the agricultural market”.

expert: a range with multiple benefitsAimed at professional agricultural users, the Expert range of tools cover all the essentials and includes almost 1,800 items designed for use in a number of areas: storage (toolboxes, roller cabinets and tool modules), general tooling such as bits and pliers, devices for tightening torque, measuring and marking out, striking, cutting and lighting, and specialist tools for mechanical, electrical and electronic repairs.

With a comprehensive range at competitive prices, coupled with Kramp’s superb delivery service, Expert is becoming well known in the professional tools market as a high quality brand that customers can trust. The product range has been developed by FACOM and as such it also benefits from FACOM’s guarantee. Developed according to strict technical specifications the range complies (and exceeds) the German DIN and international ISO standards for hand tools. All products are guaranteed for an unlimited period against manufacturing or other defects.

↑ For over ninety years, Facom has been the leading european brand in hand tools for the automotive and industrial maintenance professional.

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→ Aimed at professional agricultural users, the expert range of tools cover all the essentials and includes almost 1,800 items

For more information visit www.facom.com

A strong operational marketing strategyExpert’s competitive pricing and distinctive blue and grey packaging means it stands out in the showroom. Expert showroom modules have been designed to display the fast selling items in the range in the most effective way possible, and all layouts can incorporate points of sale. This

means your customers can find the tools they need in your showroom quickly and easily, giving them more time to browse other products and therefore increasing your profitability. The range is also supported by a comprehensive communications package, including brochures and promotional flyers.

A promising future“Through our continuing work with Kramp we will be able to evolve the Expert range to develop a more tailored product for customers.” Says Mr Vilar. With its range of tool kits and sets designed specifically for the agricultural market, Expert aims to become the specialist brand for agricultural tools.

Fantastic opportunity for EXPERT to provide a

tailored solution

Research

We also recently launched a poll in our web shop that allows you to submit your views each week. When you click the 'vote' button, you will see an overview of all the answers that have been submitted by your industry up to that point. In order to assess customer satisfaction, we plan to use two methods to measure how happy you are with our service. Every three months, we will ask our customers seven quick questions to find out your general level of satisfaction. These questions will automatically appear in the web shop after logging in. Seven clicks is all it takes to complete the questionnaire, and if you take part, you could be in with a chance of winning an iPad. We will also carry out a more in-depth assessment every two years, when customers in the Netherlands, the German speaking countries, France and the UK will be asked to complete a more detailed questionnaire, which will give you the chance to tell us how you rate various parts of our service. We will give away one iPad per country for this questionnaire.

Your views count

www.kramp.com

At Kramp we already measure and analyse various aspects of our performance, such as our ability to deliver on time and be contacted by phone. However, it is more important that we know what you think about the service we provide. Our web shop has a feedback button which you can use to indicate whether you found something ‘easy’ or not.

tips & tRicKs

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Your company software and Kramp's website make your work easier and more efficient. This is why we support our customers with IT solutions. We can ensure that your systems and ours are optimally coordinated, enabling you to save both time and money.

Intelligent IT solutions

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"using Kramp's eDI connection makes ordering parts much quicker"

Damcon B.V. in Opheusden supplies a complete range of new and used tree cultivation machines, as well as machines for other types of row cultivation and gardening. A team of 20 people spend each working day developing and producing planting machines, cultivators and harvesters. Damcon uses Bever software for its business operations and, since 2008, Dick Derksen, Parts Foreman, has been using an EDI connection between Bever and Kramp to place his daily orders. "We used to send purchase orders by fax", explains Mr Derksen. "A key benefit of the EDI connection with Kramp is that ordering is now much quicker. We can also place orders later in the day, because the ordering procedure is shorter. The time saved each day is used to make the warehouse and the parts supply process even more efficient".

Dick Derksen

Parts Foreman, Damcon B.V.

he IT Customer Support department is always busy simplifying IT processes for Kramp and its customers. "Our customers are software users and not IT specialists", explains Mike Lindsay, Business Solutions Specialist at Kramp. "If they have questions on how to use the web shop or Scan to Mobile, we are the people to contact. If necessary, we can also

explain how to install and operate Kramp Mobile Application on the iPad. Should any unexpected technical problems occur, we can help straight away. We first try to resolve the problem remotely, but if that is not possible, we go to the customer. We make sure Kramp's E-business solutions are as easy to use as possible".

eDIIn addition, the IT Customer Support team also supports customers to help them make the most of their company software. "The EDI solution is used to connect company systems efficiently", explains Björn Krabbenborg, EDI application consultant. "EDI stands for 'Electronic Data Interchange'. It is a standard method used to electronically exchange certain company documents, such as purchase orders or information relating to stock and nett prices". Nowadays, 86 percent of our customers send their purchase orders through our web shop or via EDI. A growing number of customers

also send Kramp information such as invoice details, and packing slip details and order acknowledgements can also be exchanged. "It would normally take the customer quite a while to generate and check these documents manually", Björn continues. "EDI takes care of the process automatically, minimising the chance of input errors".

in focus

Intelligent IT solutions

10

in focus

"Placing orders via scan to Mobile saves us time every day"

The mechanisation company Bos Tuin- en Parktechniek has been a household name in Sneek in the Netherlands for 50 years. When replenishing the stock in the shop each day, the company's director/owner, Feite Bakker, uses Scan to Mobile. He used to record stock levels on paper before having to manually enter all the item numbers of the order into the computer. "Luckily, that's all in the past now", says Mr Bakker. "Scan to Mobile is the perfect solution for ordering items. It is really easy to use, which means that anyone can place orders correctly, and your organisation becomes much more flexible as a result".

All you need for Scan to Mobile is a Kramp iPad and Kramp's Scan to Mobile scanner, which are connected to one another via Bluetooth. "The only thing you have to do is scan the product barcode", explains Mr Bakker. "The connection ensures that the item is automatically placed in the

Feite Bakker

Director/owner of Bos Tuin- en Parktechniek

Your software package and eDIWe have established good quality, fully functional connections with all software packages and many customer specific solutions. Kramp can help no matter which software package you use — and we can often achieve a great deal more than our customers initially think possible. We can automatically share the following information:- Purchase orders- Import/export of item and price details- Order acknowledgements- Packing slip details- Invoicing information- Credit invoices

• No pen and paper needed• Quick and easy ordering

• More time for your primary process• No administrative hassle due

to incorrect orders• The Kramp scanner is ideal when

carrying out stock counts

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• Access the entire range, at all times and from anywhere

• Find the items you are looking for with just a few clicks

• All product info at a glance• Up-to-date information

on prices, stocks etc.• Intelligent connection with Scan to Order

and Scan to Mobile

• No need to enter order

details twice• Minimise errors in communication

• Fewer returns• Up-to-date

stock administration

111/13 Focus

www.kramp.com

shopping cart. You then use the iPad to enter the quantity you wish to order. The great thing about this system is that you immediately see additional information about the product, its availability and its delivery time. Once the order is complete, you finish it off in the normal way in the web shop". By ordering with Scan to Mobile, you can skip a number of time-consuming steps and minimise the risk of making mistakes. "It saves us at least 15 to 30 minutes each day", Mr Bakker continues. "This means we now have more time to spend on other work".

IntermediaryAn EDI connection is implemented as part of a partnership between a customer, Kramp and the software supplier. Each and every day, we exchange information with the main software suppliers in Europe for the benefit of our customers. Björn explains further: "Technical details are coordinated between the parties to enable the customer to communicate via EDI quickly and easily".

A step furtherThe IT Customer Support team is much more than just a telephone helpdesk for questions, or a fault clearing service in the event of problems. "We go a step further", says Mike. "Depending on what we encounter at the customer's company, we try to offer them assistance. We can help customers create new shelf tags for the warehouse or shop, for example, when prices or product codes change. We can supply labels with the correct item details on request, and we have also had several requests to install Wi-Fi networks for customers, which we will be doing in the near future. We work with our IT and E-Business colleagues to develop good ideas that complement Kramp's services, turning them into brand new service concepts".

Behind the scenesBesides the IT Customer Support team, Kramp has an IT department made up of around fifty people working as application consultants, developers, helpdesk agents and server/network administrators. Most of the work carried out by this department focuses on internal business operations and often takes place behind the scenes. However, there is also a great deal of interaction with customers. "An efficient IT infrastructure is essential for our organisation", explains Robert Varga, IT Architecture & Data Warehouse Manager. "If you guarantee to your customers that any products they order before 6pm will be delivered the next day, you need an ultra efficient warehouse management system — our system is used to coordinate several hundred employees across five warehouses. IT is an important cornerstone of operational excellence".

A quick and appropriate responseOther systems of direct benefit to customers are the CRM system (a database for customer data), the Order Management System (for processing sales and purchase orders), as well as the database containing all catalogue information. Robert Varga explains: "The key is to create intelligent connections between systems. For example, we have connected our CRM system to our telephone system. When a customer calls, the employee at our end of the line can immediately see all the customer's details on the screen. This enables us to respond to all questions quickly and in a way that is appropriate to the needs of that customer. We are constantly working to create solutions that make our job and that of our customers easier and more efficient. This is a fantastic challenge that makes our work more interesting".

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about It Customer support and the services it offers, please contact Mike lindsay, Business solutions specialist on telephone number 01767 602602 or 07741 305993.

• Even fewer actions needed than for Scan to Order,

saving you even more time• Immediate information about item

availability and delivery times

• On request, we can supply shelf tags with updated information —

saving you a great deal of work• Together, we can keep item

management and ordering simple and convenient

12

SIMA Paris 2013

A Successful ShowCustomers braved the wintry weather on the 24th February to come and visit Kramp's stand,

where they were able to learn about two developments in our core activities: an extension of the personalised shop scheme and customised services for workshop, warehouse and shop equipment.

After the success of the open days held at Kramp's Poitiers site in November 2012, Kramp further enhanced its image as an international supplier of parts and services. "We provide our customers with our expertise so that they can focus on selling parts", explains Account Manager Michael Bonjean.

shop concept and services Our shop specialists outlined the four steps needed to set up a complete, personalised shop. They also explained that Kramp provides support to help shop owners optimise their available sales space. Alongside its existing range of services, Kramp presented its brand new team dedicated to the parts sales concept. "Our service goes further than research, selecting modules, implementation and following up lead times in warehouses", says Account Manager Mathieu Lucas.

On another part of the stand, we demonstrated the repair solutions that Kramp offers for hydraulic hoses. We also showed visitors our new catalogue section on tractor parts, which contains more than than 20,000 items.

Specialists, manufacturers and dealers of agricultural machinery all converged on the Parc des expositions in Paris Nord Villepinte once again this year for the 75th SIMA show. SIMA, the number one international event for the agricultural sector, was a great success for Kramp this year. We saw 1,400 visitors, enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and were able to offer customers plenty of help and advice.

→ Kramp with its 300m2 stand was well presented as a total supplier of parts and services in europe.

Visitors learned about our Retail Shop Concept and customised services for workshop, warehouse and shop equipment.

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event

www.kramp.com

The 75th SIMA once again gave us opportunities to enter into new partnerships and strengthen existing ones. Our customers really appreciated the warm welcome they received at the stand and the excellent catering. They passed on some positive feedback, with one customer reporting that we provide "an extremely quick and efficient service".

enjoying drinks with KrampFrom 4.30 to 6.30pm each evening of the show, our stand was decorated in the colours of

Brittany, the Basque region, the south east of France and the Alsace. Customers could chat to our sales team while enjoying local music, and refreshments, giving them a chance to relax, in a fun and friendly atmosphere, during the busy days at the fair.

An impressive result for 2013At SIMA 2011, we saw a total of 850 people visit our stand. We had already exceeded this figure by the Tuesday morning of SIMA 2013, and by the end of the fair, we had welcomed a total of 1,400 people to our stand.

We would like to say a big thank you to our customers for visiting us, and we are very proud of the efforts of our exhibition team. Thank you for working together to make SIMA 2013 such a great success.

↑ the catering provided at the Kramp stand during the fair also went down extremely well. A special menu app ensured that no one had to wait for food.

→ Interested visitors talking to members of our exhibition team about the options for a retail shop. A special corner of the stand was set up to display a few examples of shop modules.

← Kramp's stand attracted a significant amount of interest at sIMA 2013.

Together with our 1,400 visitors, we were able to make the fair a great success.

14

engagement

↑ eddie Perdok, steffen schütze, Bernard Humberg and Werner schmeing at Kramp.

↑ typically Dutch. Time for a tourist photo at the Sevink Mölle in Meddo.

↑ Arrival at the Port of Hamburg for shipment to Ghana.

In Ghana, over 60% of the working population are employed in the agricultural sector — but there is still significant progress to be made in the area of technology. Since 1996, Sunyani has been able to offer

recognised professional training in subjects such as agriculture. The training centre was set up by the Catholic brotherhood of the Salesians of Don Bosco and now has more than 400 young people between the ages of 14 and 21 in attendance.

Building experienceAlongside agricultural theory, the training course also offers students the opportunity to build up practical experience. Working on approximately 11.5 hectares of land, they grow crops such as corn, cassava, potatoes and soya beans. They also have a vegetable garden, an area of woodland and a fishing lake. At the farm that belongs to the centre, the students keep pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, goats and sheep. However, the centre still was in urgent need of agricultural machines and the expertise needed to operate them.

Agricultural packageAfricatrack, which was originally established in France, has had a branch in Germany since 1989. In order to help the training centre in Ghana, Africatrack representatives Bernhard Humberg and Werner Schmeing approached various companies at the 2011 Agritechnica trade fair to ask for their support, including AGCO Germany, Walterscheid and Kramp. Last year, with the help of all the sponsors, the relief organisation was able to put together an agricultural package for the centre, consisting of a tractor, trailer, plough, harrow and water pump. The team also passed on its expertise on how to use, repair and maintain the equipment.

Crossing europe on a tractorIn order to collect all the items, a team from Africatrack clocked up over 1,200 miles travelling on a tractor through Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium. On 15th October 2012, Humberg and Schmeing reached the Kramp site in Varsseveld, where they were welcomed by Eddie Perdok, Kramp Group CEO and Steffen Schütze from the Group's

Rather than sending financial aid to communities in need, Africatrack provides equipment to enable farmers in Africa to help themselves. By bringing mechanisation to the Ghanaian city of Sunyani, the organisation is helping local people to increase the amount of food they can produce. All the machines and equipment are provided by sponsors, and Kramp also made a donation.

Kramp supports African agricultural project in Ghana

Africatrack: Self help through mechanisation

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Africatrack route 2012

the transport to sunyaniIn order to collect all the provisions, the Africatrack team made a journey of circa 2000km throughout europe. the package was then shipped from Hamburg to ghana.

↑ the Africatrack team just before setting off from the site of the Bavarian Central Agricultural Festival in Munich. The team crossed four European countries in a tractor with a trailer to collect all the sponsored items for the training course in Ghana.

→ students of the agricultural course in sunyani working on the land. They grow corn, cassava, potatoes and soya beans on approximately 11.5 hectares of land.

management board. The team then continued on to the Port of Hamburg where the complete package was shipped off to its destination in West Africa.

solid foundation"This is a great initiative that we are really happy to be a part of", explains Mr Perdok. "The main advantage is that the organisation is helping people to develop themselves, which is also one of our top priorities at Kramp. With the help of sponsors, Africatrack is actively helping the local community to reach a situation where, eventually, it will be able to provide its own, sustainable food source. This lays a solid foundation for further economic development in the region".

16

J Low Agri-Services Ltd

From Strength to Strength

Jimmy Low first started his career as an apprentice with A&J Bowen, a local Claas and Case IH dealer in Fife. From here he went on to work with John Bayne who had set up his own company

dealing with all aspects of agricultural and plant engineering on farms and sites. He then moved to Landfill Services as an agricultural and heavy plant engineer carrying out all repairs and servicing on the Landfill sites around Fife. By 2002, he had decided to start up on his own as an Agricultural Engineer. Over the years Jimmy had been able to build up a loyal customer base, who have followed him to where he is now. He spends most of his days servicing, repairing and welding agricultural machines. But that’s not all.

Jimmy and Karen Low have recently opened their very own Kramp shop. Not only did they get married last October, within 10 days they had opened up their first shop. We take a look at how this very determined couple went from a single “man in a van” to establishing their first agricultural shop.

As a company they have many other avenues within the business. They hire tractors and other agricultural machinery out to local farmers and businesses. They started with just 1 tractor, now they have 6. All the machinery is still heavily used locally with on two open cast sites run by Land Engineering Service and Castlebridge Plant. The tractors and tankers are used mainly for dust suppression in and around the roads on the open cast sites but are also utilised by the companies for gritting and fuelling their machines. In addition, for the past 5 years they have been buying and selling second hand machinery and act as the local agent for Fleming, the agricultural machinery manufacturer.

Jimmy doesn’t have much spare time during his day, being out on the road means he spends little time at the shop. He is always keen to help his customers and his day is filled with many diverse questions and requests. But he is always willing to help and this attitude is what has established the strong reputation he has today.

Being out on the road gives Jimmy little time to think about the future, but he and Karen saw a gap in the market, and decided to take the next step and invest in an agricultural spare parts shop. The area was in desperate need of one as the last local supplier closed over 15 years ago. Jimmy and Karen spent some time talking to George Buchan, Account Manager at Kramp and Berni Abbott, Retail Shop Manager about their vision for the business. George and Jimmy have known each other for some time and have built up a solid relationship and rapport. “With the complete package that Kramp could offer us, we decided that this was the way forward. Kramp’s on-going support and flexibility has made the

↑ Dedicated: Karen and Jimmy low

Kramp’s on-going support and flexibility has made the

process simple

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customeR poRtRait

process simple even down to installing the shop with all the stands and product”, says Karen. The shop was open back in October, as they felt a need to establish themselves before the start of the season and ensure that everything was in place.

Karen has the shop very much in her control, and she organises the day to day running and maintenance of stock and systems. She quit her Accountancy job back in September and within the month had joined Jimmy and set up the new shop. Her background in financials, keeps the business running effectively and she has a methodical and organised approach. The business will go from strength to strength with this very determined team and their forward thinking.

When questioned about the future, there was really only one answer from Karen – “growth and expansion”. This is already apparent, as they are currently looking for an addition to the team. With Jimmy’s time already at a stretch, he desperately needs help on the road, with on-site repairs. This will allow Jimmy to spend more time focusing on expanding the machinery and hire side of the business.

↑ Full range of products available

For more information visit www.jlowagriservices.co.uk

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↑ Well stocked and easily maintained product on shelves

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KRamp faces

Dan has worked for Kramp for nearly seven years, this is almost the same length of time that he has been married to Nancy (who also works for Kramp UK). Fate played a hand in their meeting, when Dan took the wrong train out of London, and they have been together ever since. Although he has no children, there is plenty to occupy his time with 3 Corn Snakes, a Bearded Dragon, 5 Ferrets, 3 Cats and the new addition Sunny Jim, the Dog.

During his 35 years; Dan has spent time learning different crafts, which have included being an Armourer, where he built, repaired and serviced swords and weapons for use in Viking re-enactments. He travelled America on a Harley when he was only 21 years old, he has also ridden across Europe and in the near future wants to visit Australia and New Zealand. He also aspires to see the Northern Lights and return to America to explore Colorado, a state he has never seen.

When asked what he dreamt of or what he wanted to achieve, as with a lot of people, winning the lottery wouldn’t go a miss. He would buy a house and start his own business building bikes and customising cars.

Dan says that when he was young he loved trying “thrill seeking” sports such as Skydiving and Base Jumping, and claims he was young and stupid. You’re our very own “Rebel without a Cause”.

Dan Mayor

Workshop supervisor

Don is just one of those people you could sit and talk to all day. He has plenty of stories to tell, and for someone who claimed he wasn’t that interesting, he has led an astonishing life.

Don has now reached his 79th year and has worked for Kramp for the last 10 years. He is such a character and it’s lovely to see his smiling face in the warehouse each day. He has two grown up children and 6 grandchildren, who keep him feeling young. He loves to travel and considering he spent over 14 years in the Navy (joining when he was 15), he still isn’t satisfied he’s seen it all. He has plans to revisit Sweden, Norway and the wonders of the Fjords. He served in the Korean War, protected the trawlers during the Cold War and he took part in the Suez Campaign. He was a leading seaman (an aircraft gunner), with a team of loyal men under his wing.

He has already retired once, back in 1999, after he worked for several high profile companies, including ICI, Curry’s and Jordan’s, but after 2 weeks of “jobs at home”, he decided enough was enough and went back to work.

He doesn’t like sitting still, he still plays Badminton, watches Crystal Palace once a month and says he will try anything once. He used to play Hockey and tried his hand at Boxing whilst in the Navy. I believe he still has many unachieved ambitions.

Don Shapland

Warehouse Cleaner

↑ Don shapland Warehouse Cleaner

↑ Dan Mayor

Workshop Supervisor

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Kramp Academy, the training programme from Kramp, is celebrating a successful end to the 2012/2013 season. These courses, which cover training in areas such as PTO, hydraulic fittings and retail sales and merchandising, have received a massive

vote of confidence from those who attended. Feedback from the 87 candidates showed that 98% of customers found the courses interesting and relevant to their business. Furthermore 98% of customers would recommend Kramp Academy courses to others.

The 2013/2014 Kramp Academy programme is already proving popular. Courses will begin again in October 2013 but already enquiries have been flooding in about place availability. The brochure will be available in July and courses will open on the webshop shortly before this. Many customers have discovered that Kramp Academy can provide quality, professional training that provides attendees with confidence and helps increase sales. As the experts in PTO and transmission parts, Kramp are able to provide the best PTO training available in the industry.

Currently Kramp are looking at adding new courses to this year’s prospectus and we are welcoming suggestions. If there are any areas of training you would like to feature in Kramp Academy than please email your suggestions to [email protected].

academy

PTO Course underway at Biggleswade

Customers give Kramp Academy the thumbs up

↑ Customers learn about how to swage safely

For more information visit www.kramp.com

↑ the popular retail sales training course in full swing

202020

AF Wiltshires

AF Wiltshires have become McCormick dealers. For further information, visit http://www.afwiltshire.co.uk/.

Cereals 201312 – 13th June Boothby graffoe, lincolnshire

The leading technical event for the arable industry takes place once again in June. There will be over 64ha of stands and live demonstrations including Crop Plots, Working Cultivations, Sprays and Sprayers, Post-Harvest Technology, Business area, Potatoes and Renewables. over 490 leading suppliers will take part in the two day event, which will see over 20,000 visitors, eager to view the latest products, ranging from seeds to sprayers, cultivation equipment to fertilisers.

Bigwoods NEW shop launch

On the 21st January 2013, Bigwoods

celebrated the launch of their new

Shop concept. For further details

on the Kramp Shop Concept, call

Berni Abbott on 01767 602602.

KRamP acadEmyHave you thought about how to improve the knowledge base and skills of your staff? Then why not check out the Kramp Academy page and find out what other customers think of Kramp Academy?

Dates for the Diary

18th – 22nd June Royal Ascot

24th June – 7th July Wimbledon

5th July NHS is 65 Years old

27th July – The first area of the new Queen Elizabeth Park, formerly the Olympic Park, will reopen exactly one year after the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

2013

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The 150th Royal Bath &

West Show29th May – 1st June 2013

Royal Bath & West showground

near shepton Mallet, somerset

Get your tickets early and save ££s on the standard entrance

price (standard price – Adult £17, Child £3 and Family £40).

Don’t miss out on one of the largest events in the rural calendar.

Doe show review

The 53rd Doe Show took place in the

first week of February, with Kramp in

attendance along with all the major

machinery manufacturers, including CNH,

Lemken and Kuhn. As usual, a strong

support was shown for the biggest dealer

show in the UK. The show was heralded a

great success.

Bruce Hopkins Bruce Hopkins have taken on the SDF franchise. For further information visit http://www.brucehopkins.co.uk/.

Long SERvicE awaRdS – KRamP UK

25 yEaRSGary Wilson - January 2013Dave Fletcher – March 2013Mark Cox – April 201315 yEaRSJohn Muir – March 2013Mike Lindsay – March 201310 yEaRSDon Shapland – January 2013

Dave Fletcher Gary Wilson Mark Cox

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mosaic

www.kramp.com

Ploughing matches are a traditional and established part of the farming calendar. The aim of the ploughing match is to plough a section of field as straightly and uniformly as possible. A ploughing match is scored over a number of criteria including uniformity, general appearance and finish.

Ploughing matches are hotly contested with prizes for the larger championships exceeding £1,000. There are a large number of different classes covering conventional ploughs, horse drawn ploughing, ploughing with vintage equipment, reversible ploughs and many more. Large ploughing championships include the British Ploughing Championships, Cruckton ploughing match and the Brailsford ploughing match. The season runs all year round with some societies competing in February while others prefer to plough during September onwards.

Ploughing matches are open to anybody with both male and female farmers, young and old, competing to win the prestige honour of champion ploughman. Many ploughing matches include a class for young farmers. The history of ploughing matches is also rich in family heritage with fathers and sons often forming successful ploughing dynasties. Currently Colin and Steven Bowen of Craven Arms, Shropshire have formed a formidable father and son duo. Father Colin is a multiple champion ploughman while son Steve qualified for the 2010 European reversible ploughing championships.

Ploughing matches can provide an interesting day out with events steeped in farming history. For more information on ploughing, the history of events or to find your local society please visit www.ploughmen.co.uk

Ploughing matches – a precision sport

Browse, edit and shareiPhotoiPhoto is a universal app that runs on iPad 2 (and later), iPhone 4 (and later) and iPod touch (4th generation and later). With iPhoto for iOS, Apple brings Multi-Touch to photography in a breakthrough way. Browse, edit and share your photos from your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, like never before — all the powerful tools you need are at your fingertips. Plus with iCloud, you can share your experiences as stunning photo journals.

6 iPhoto is a universal app, optimised for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch 6 Contextual coaching tips are available on all devices6 Edit high resolution photos up to 36.5 megapixels on certain devices6 Share photos directly to Cards, iMovie and other compatible iOS apps6 Create cinematic slideshows of your photos with a few taps 6 Post your photos directly to Facebook with your own comments, locations and friend tags6 Beam photos between your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, including all non destructive adjustments 6 Use AirPlay to stream photos and slideshows to your HDTV over Wi-Fi with Apple TV 6 Print your photos wirelessly on an AirPrint- enabled printer

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Quiz

www.kramp.com

Take this opportunity to enter the Crossword competition and you could win 2 tickets to the British superbike Championships, at a venue of your choice. Events take place between April and October 2013 at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington and many more. Tickets are provided courtesy of Facom. All you have to do is complete the Crossword and fax it back to us on 01767 602620.

Crossword time

editorial Address:Stratton Business ParkLondon RoadBiggleswadeBedfordshireSG18 8QB

editing and graphics:Marketing KrampE-mail: [email protected] www.kramp.com

Photos: Africatrack (5), Bigwoods (1), BOS Tuin & Park (1), Cereals (2), Damcom B.V. (1), de Roubaix Photographe (8), Facom (7), Gopart (2), iPhoto (3), J Low Services Ltd. (7), Kramp (14), Plasson UK Ltd (2), Shutterstock (28), Chen WS Shutterstock.com (1), Texa (2)

focus

the competition winner for December is:RB tractor spares east Anglia15b Hillsidenorfolk nR21 0le

Congratulations to RB tractor spares who win a Deutz Agrotron tractor and loader, courtesy of Kramp uK.

Congratulations

Closing date is 3rd June 2013. No purchase necessary. The winner will be drawn from the correct entries at random. The editor’s decision is final – no correspondence will be entered into or phone call taken. No cash alternative is offered. Kramp reserves the right to substitute this prize for an alternative prize is necessary. The winner’s company name will be published in the next edition of FOCUS. The competition is open to Kramp customers only.

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ACROSS

3 (7) They provide solutions fo connecting PE Pipe

7 (4) Manufacturer of the Axone 4 Diagnostic tool

8 (6) 25 Years for 3 of the team, Gary ______ is one of them

10 (9) Kramp Benelux have recently launched this online Social Media channel

11 (3) Sunny Jim is which of Dan's pets?

14 (9) Ploughing matches are said to be what type of sport?

15 (5) We will ask you 7 questions every _____ months via the website

DOWN

1 (5) A Stanley Black and Decker Group company

2 (5) Kramp are supporting the African agricultural project in which coutnry?

4 (7) Which month does the Kramp Academy start this year?

5 See 6 (5) _____ and Karen Low,

oweners of J Low Agri-Services Ltd 9 (5) SIMA was held here

12 (6) Kramp's very own competiitvely priced brand!

13 (4, 7) and Parts Foreman, Damcon B.V

16 (3) This solution connects company systems

ACRoss3 (7) They provide solutions for connecting PE Pipe7 (4) Manufacturer of the Axone 4 Diagnostic tool8 (6) 25 Years for 3 of the team, Gary ______ is one of them10 (9) Kramp Benelux have recently launched this online Social Media channel11 (3) Sunny Jim is which of Dan’s pets?14 (9) Ploughing matches are said to be what type of sport?15 (5) We will ask you 7 questions every _____ months via the website

DoWn1 (5) A Stanley Black and Decker Group company2 (5) Kramp are supporting the African agricultural project in which country?4 (7) Which month does the Kramp Academy start this year?5 See 13 Down6 (5) _____ and Karen Low, owners of J Low Agri-Services Ltd9 (5) SIMA was held here12 (6) Kramp’s very own competitively priced brand13 (4,7) and 5 Down Parts Foreman, Damcon B.V16 (3) This solution connects company systems

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