Kubota’s ambitions for the agricultural market have been given a shot in the arm with the signing of three AM Phillip Agritech branches in Scotland.

The agreement, announced at the Royal Highland Show, is the latest consequence of Case IH dropping AM Phillip from its dealer network last year.

In north-east Scotland, Massey Ferguson shifted its franchise from other dealers to the three AM Phillip branches there.

But MF has firm arrangements in place in the territories covered by AM Phillip’s Conon Bridge, Perth and Glenrothes branches, which have now signed to handle Kubota’s agricultural tractors, RTV utility vehicles and grass implements.

See also: New Scottish dealer to take on McCormick franchise

Rob Edwards, Kubota business development manager for the agricultural market, said he regrets the move means Farm & Forestry Equipment at Inverness has lost the franchise after just two years.

But it seems the opportunity to work with the large dealer group, whose business plan aligned with Kubota’s agricultural dealer network strategy, was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“Our approach of making Kubota implements from Kverneland Group available to new Kubota tractor dealers as part of a package is working,” he said.

“It’s attracting new dealers by enhancing our product offering when the tractor range peaks at 170hp, and it’s generating incremental business rather than taking it away from Kverneland and Vicon dealers.”

AM Phillip has a long relationship with Kubota through its Gammies division, which operates as an independent dealership handling the Japanese manufacturer’s groundscare equipment.