Major John Deere dealership shocked to have been given ‘brutal’ notice to quit

Sharmans, which has a head office at Gonerby Moor, Grantham, and four other branches in Melton Mowbray, Stamford, Lowdham and Pytchley, said it was ‘number one in the area and never missed a target’.

The firm said it first learned of the strategy at an Agritechnica meeting last month, when all 350 European dealer groups were told there would be a reduction of about a third to current dealer groups.

The statement also suggested this was the first time they were made aware all dealerships would have to double their current tractor area (which varies by dealer), meet a €100 million (£84.8m) turnover target and sell 30 combines and 15 foragers every year.

Strategy

John Deere said its Dealer of Tomorrow strategy, which set out a plan to create a ‘network of world class dealerships, was publicly announced at a product launch in Lisbon in June 2011.

“Currently the number of John Deere dealership outlets across the country has remained largely unchanged,” a spokesman said, adding ‘well-established, successful dealerships will continue to provide the necessary services and solutions for our customers long into the future’.