The merry-go-round of dealer changes as a results of a major reshuffle of John Deere's franchise holders in Scotland has started.

Kubota has appointed HRN Tractors as its biggest full-line dealer for Scotland. HRN recently rescinded its option to sell the green and yellow brand and was widely expected to be courted by other manufacturers keen to appoint a known 'face' in HRN's territory, which ranges from Perth to Caithness.

That Kubota has been the lucky suitor might come as a surprise to many, however the Japanese-based company has made no secret of its intention to become a leading full line manufacturer of agricultural machinery.

Indeed, HRN's six depots will became Kubota construction equipment dealers for all of Scotland, while its agricultural products will be sold from its depots north of Perth. Groundcare and professional turf products will be for the region north of Dundee.

“This appointment reinforces Kubota’s commitment to its customers and the market,” explained David Hart, managing director of Kubota (UK). “As a full-line dealer, HRN Tractors will be in a strong position to make the future investments required in facilities, technology and staff, to actively support our customers across agricultural, groundcare and construction sectors.”

HRN was established by the Barclay family in 1980 and is a well-known and respected name throughout the farming community. In addition to its extensive dealership activities, the family also farms across 2000 acres of combinable crops and is home to pedigree cattle and sheep.

With its head office at Insch, HRN Tractors has depots at Turriff, Kinloss, Muir of Ord, Caithness and Balbeggie.

“HRN is delighted to have received the Kubota franchise,” said Hamish Bruce, dealer principal of HRN Tractors. “It supplies us with a wide range of agricultural, construction and groundcare products to sell to our growing customer base.

"We believe that Kubota has massive potential for market growth in Scotland, and that HRN and Kubota have a very bright future together.”