Future customer trips planned after successful South Africa tour

AFGRI win Best Machinery Display at this year’s Mingenew Expo

AWARD: Proud to win two-years running.

PHOTO CREDIT: Skyline Services

GROUP SNAP: Our tour group enjoying a sundowner on safari in Shamwari Game Reserve.

culture September 2018

Pleasetake one!

AFGRIculture September 2018

AFGRI Equipment had the pleasure of taking 24 of our local farmers on the 2018 “Out of Season” South Africa Tour in August this year. The tour started off with two days in Pretoria, staying at The Farm Inn, a country lodge which held various wildlife to view. Whilst in Pretoria, the group visited AFGRI’s head office in Centurion with presentations lead by company CEO Chris Venter. On day two, the group paid the Delmas branch a visit followed by a feedlot visit. The afternoon ended with a true South African braai (BBQ) and some clay pigeon shooting. The group then travelled down south to Shamwari Game Reserve which was the highlight of the trip, for most. The group were treated to 5-star accommodation and nature drives where four out of the Big Five were viewed, with only the elusive leopard managing to go unseen. From there, the group travelled down the garden route with stops at Knysna for a river cruise and dinner, the Caledon branch to view their magnificent canola fields, and a few wineries in the Paarl/Franschoek area. Another highlight was

the farmer evening, held in Malmesbury, where the tour group could mingle with 30 local growers and share some knowledge. The group paid a visit to the Equalizer factory in Cape Town for a tour to see how manufacturing of the seeding equipment happens. The trip ended with a tour through Cape Town, including visits to the Castle of Good Hope, the V&A Waterfront and the picturesque Table Mountain. AFGRI marketing manager Jacques Coetzee, who led the tour, said the trip was a massive success. “The feedback we have received has been far greater than I

AFGRI Equipment had the pleasure of winning Best Machinery Display for our site at this year’s Mingenew Midwest Expo. AFGRI won the award for a second-year running having previously won the award in 2017. The expo, held on 14 and 15 August this year, is one of the largest regional shows in WA, offering a range of new and exciting exhibitors, special guests and interactive displays. Our site featured a wide range of John Deere machinery including a R4060 sprayer and S7 Series combine harvester as well as

equipment from Manitou, Grain King, Equalizer, Croplands, HORSCH, Gehl and Atlas Copco. AFGRI Carnamah branch manager Brad Forrester said the win was a testament to the hard work our expo staff had put in. “I think our site looked really good this year,” Brad said. “Each year we continue to try and make the site bigger and better, and thanks to our staff, I think we achieved this. “We are very proud to be a part of the expo and continue growing with our local communities.” AFGRI looks forward to attending the expo again next year.

imagined and many have asked when will we be doing the next tour,” Jacques said. “I am extremely satisfied with how the tour unfolded and pleased our customers had an amazing experience.” AFGRI had several staff attending including AFGRI commercial director Wessel Oosthuizen. “The idea of the trip was to expose our customers to the AFGRI Group and showcase the best South Africa has to offer,” Wessel said. “I am happy to say that we achieved what we set out to do.” AFGRI is already in the planning phase for a US and Canada tour for next year July, so watch this space!

AFGRIculture September 2018

AFGRI equipment enjoyed another great year at this year’s Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days. The field days, are the largest and most recognized of their kind in Western Australia, and this year’s event only bolstered the show’s well-developed 54-year history. With over 25,000 attending the show over the two days (29-30 August), the event continues to rise in popularity with both exhibitors and visitors travelling from across WA, interstate and increasingly from overseas. AFGRI customer relations manager & Wongan Hills branch manager Brenton Read said the field days had a special place in the local community. “The field days always draw a fantastic crowd of people, and that was the same again this year,” Brenton said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to be able to talk with our clients and ask them about their needs in a stress-free, non-pushy environment.” We had a variety of agricultural equipment on our site with a John Deere S7 Series

AFGRI focus on farmers’ needs at Dowerin Machinery Field Days combine harvester and R4060 sprayer being major drawcards as well as the Equalizer 12000V bar also being very popular on site. Other John Deere machinery and equipment from Manitou,

AFGRI Carnamah have embarked on a new drive to provide support to their local communities. The initiative, AFGRI Commit, aims to give a bit back to the communities that support the branch, a drive the branch’s staff have all got behind. AFGRI Carnamah branch manager Brad Forrester said the drive was about continuing to recognize what the community does for us. “When we first came up with this idea, it has always been about supporting the community and helping them grow as we continue to grow with them,” Brad said. “I’m very proud of my staff who have volunteered their time and embraced this initiative.” Such projects so far include the branch’s staff volunteering their time to paint the interior of the new Three Springs Firehouse, led by the branch’s Rod Ennor. Rod and his wife, Julia have been

AFGRI Esperance’s Sascha Bozanich took part in an annual sleep out to raise money for the less privileged and homeless. Sascha teamed up with local charity, Restore Hope Foundation Esperance pledging to sleep rough to raise donations for the cause. Restore Hope Foundation Esperance is an initiative established to combat homelessness in Esperance town, in particular, those suffering from chronic mental health issues. The Sleep for the Homeless drive sees a group of brave supporters sleep in the Esperance Soundshell amphitheatre in efforts to try to identify with those who have no choice but to sleep on the streets. Sascha took part in the sleep out on 10 August and successfully managed to raise over $4000 for the initiative. AFGRI also donated an additional $500 to help him reach his donation target. AFGRI Esperance branch manager Kim Anderson said all the branch staff were very proud of his efforts. “Sascha did extremely well with raising the amount of donations he did,” Kim said. “Everyone appreciates the hard work he’s put in... helping to shine a light on this great cause.” AFGRI would like to congratulate Sascha on his achievement.

Sascha’s big sleep out Carnamah commit to giving back to community

FIREHOUSE: Rod & Julie at the ribbon-cutting.

CAR WASH: Raising funds for Men’s Shed.

OUR SITE: We showcased a wide range of our agricultural equipment over the two days.

involved with the firehouse for a long time and received recognition for their five years of Volunteer Fire Brigade service to the area at the firehouse’s official opening. The event was attended by Agricultural Region MLC, Darren West, and Emergency Services Minister, Fran Logan with AFGRI Carnamah receiving a lot of positive feedback for their contribution. Another initiative was a charity car wash, held at the Carnamah branch at the start of August, to raise money for the local Men’s Shed. The car wash raised over $500 for the Men’s Shed Carnamah and was greatly appreciated by their committee and members. Brad plans to continue to grow AFGRI Commit with many projects in the surrounding communities ready to get underway in the coming months.

Kuhn, HORSCH, Gehl, Atlas Copco & Liquid Systems was also featured. AFGRI Equipment looks forward to attending the field days again next year with a few big changes planned for our site.