MEMBERS of the Scottish Machinery Ring Association continue to benefit from its partnership with Case IH UK, with the total value of the 2020 Rebate Scheme this week announced as £173,894.

Andrew Whiley from Case IH, who has been managing the scheme throughout its duration, said: “Case IH has worked closely with the SMRA and over the last 10 years have returned more than £1.5 million to Scottish farmers. This year, the deal is worth £173,894 and we expect an even larger return next year as new dealerships in South West Scotland and Eastern Scotland (Angus) come on stream.”

Since Case IH and SMRA entered a marketing agreement in 2009, by which Case IH would pay participating members a fixed rebate on their Case IH purchases in exchange for marketing and promotion of Case IH products, the dealer network has strengthened.

“At its inception, I thought that perhaps the scheme would last for four or five years at most before petering out of favour," said Mr Whiley. "How wrong was I? The scheme has gone from strength to strength, year on year, and although the overall numbers have levelled out, Case IH still pay out big rebates and annual bonus amounts indicating to us that there is still room to grow this partnership to benefit both Case IH, the SMRA, and its members.”

Farmer, Bill Beaton, of WD Beaton, Rosebrae Farm, Longmore, Elgin said: “I’m a long serving member of the machinery ring, using Ringlink for both supply and demand services throughout the year – it’s reassuring to know they are there when I need them.”

The latest addition to Mr Beaton’s fleet is a Case IH Puma 175 CVX purchased in July 2020; and he described it as a good machine, with impressive fuel efficiency: “On a recent four-hour job, 15 litres of fuel were saved compared to other brands in my fleet doing the same task. This amounts to a great deal of fuel saved over the course of a year!

“The local dealership Mark Garrick Ltd, has offered a great after sales service and the rebate saving has been an added bonus. As one of the other major brands we operate have moved their dealerships further away, Mark Garrick Ltd being on our doorstep makes servicing and obtaining spare parts a less time-consuming exercise,” said Mr Beaton.

From a machinery dealer’s perspective, the arrangement has also been a great success. David Marshall, of G Marshall Tractors Ltd, St Boswells, commented: “The Rebate Scheme has proved to be an important factor in the decision-making process of our customers when looking to purchase new machinery. The scheme is completely independent of us as a dealer, allowing our customers to negotiate the best deal possible and then still receive the set rebate amount as the icing on the cake!

“It is certainly a partnership that I hope to see continue well into the future,” added Mr Marshall.

SMRA added a special thank you to Mr Whiley, who after working in the industry for nearly 47 years has recently retired. Case IH are currently in the process of finding a suitable replacement to take on his role and continue the promotion of this rebate scheme of Case IH and the SMRA in Scotland.