Our monthly round-up of dealership moves focuses on Shropshire and the West Country, with Agco further implementing its exclusive brand dealer policy and a couple of key acquisitions for Kubota and JCB.

See also: Early-year dealer changes continue distribution shake-up

RVW Pugh splits

Established Agco dealer RVW Pugh, based in Cheshire, will split the mainline brands it has held for the past 20 years. Pughs will keep the Massey Ferguson product line and a second company will be set up to manage the Fendt franchise.

A new facility is planned in Newport, housing workshops, parts and sales to look after Fendt customers. The official splitting of the business is due to take place in the middle of the year and is a result of Agco’s “exclusive distribution” strategy.

JCB rings the changes

Two new dealers in south-west England have been tasked with selling JCB kit, and the Staffordshire-based maker has also drawn up plans for a dedicated JCB depot in the region following the termination of its contract with Smart Agricultural Services.

Compass Tractors, based in Bridgwater, Somerset; and Redlynch Tractors, with depots at Bruton in Somerset, Blandford Forum in Dorset, and Salisbury in Wiltshire, have both taken on sales and service responsibilities. 

These additions came at the same time as JCB severed ties with Smart Ag Services, following the news of its acquisition by fellow John Deere dealership Hunt Forest Group.

However, JCB has asked the Smarts technicians to provide product support and service for a further six months. Following the termination of the agreement, Smarts will team up with Kramer to fill the loader void in its portfolio.

© Kramer

Kuhn 

Other changes to Smart Ag Services since the buyout by Hunt Forest Group include the addition of Kuhn implements to its offering. This mirrors the arrangement with Hunts and extends Kuhn’s coverage into Somerset.

BvL

AM Phillip Agritech has been appointed the new BvL dealer for eastern Scotland. All six depots, from Glenrothes in Fife, to Muir of Ord, near Inverness, will carry out the sales and service for BvL’s range of diet feeders and silage attachments.

© AM Phillip Agritech

John Deere

P Tuckwell has completed its purchase of fellow JD dealer Burden Bros. The three depots and all staff at Stockbury and Ivychurch, Kent; and Framfield, East Sussex, will be retained, with the additional outlets taking Tuckwell’s total to 10.

© Tuckwells

Kubota groundscare

Shropshire dealers Hughes Bros and Battlefield Machinery will add the full range of Kubota groundscare kit to their existing agricultural products. The line-up consists of 18-60hp compact tractors, UTVs and commercial and domestic ride-on mowers.

© Kubota

Bomford

Kubota dealer Lister Wilder has taken on the role of selling Bomford Turner’s range of mowers, hedgecutters and wirelessly-operated Flailbots from all its depots.

© Bomford