John Deere
John Deere’s parts business is currently not affected and European depots are continuing to deliver to order. Dealerships are still operating and maintaining their new machinery, parts and service delivery processes as far as it is possible, practicable and safe to do so within the current restrictions. Many are introducing contactless parts delivery and are keeping their customers up to date with regular bulletins by email and on social media.
Claas
Eight of the 10 factories across Europe that supply Claas UK and Ireland are now entering a controlled shutdown period of either two or three weeks, but most shipping departments remain open to allow all produced machines to reach customers.
The parts department at Claas UK at Saxham is now in “lockdown” mode and will maintain a continuous parts and service operation. “Customers should be reassured that Claas and our 80 dealer branches in UK and Ireland are ready to continue providing a full parts and service backup.”
Argo Tractors (Landini and McCormick)
“Our factories in Italy are currently suspended due to local government restrictions and supply chain issues, but are currently planned to recommence production on 3 April. We are maintaining supply of both parts and new tractors at this time and have a dedicated warehouse in the UK, which is still currently receiving deliveries from the main warehouse in Italy and this has plenty of stock to move to the Republic of Ireland should the need arise. “Our dealers hold stocks of both Landini and McCormick tractors.”
New Holland & Case IH
“CNH has suspended the majority of its European assembly operations for a two-week period. This suspension applies to the company’s agricultural, construction, commercial and speciality vehicles production facilities. Most component facilities will remain operational at low speed, always in strict compliance with national health directives, in order to ensure the continuation of supply to the company’s manufacturing facilities located outside of Europe. European parts depots and most dealer locations will also remain open to maintain uninterrupted service to its customer base.”
Although tractor production has ceased temporarily in Basildon, UK dispatch of built machines is continuing. Parts depots and dealers have a good level of stock.
Valtra
“Plans are already in place at our major European parts supply warehouses to ensure as normal a service as we can provide, with a focus on emergency repairs within the constraints of available components. The manufacture of tractors continues at our Suolahti plant in Finland and the production team are working hard to overcome any component shortages to enable new machines to continue to be delivered.”
“Supply of spare parts and new tractors remains normal for now. However, we are working closely with our dealers to ensure they are equipped to support customers in the coming weeks/months regarding spare parts and technical support alongside the supply of loan and demo machines.”
JCB
As of last week, JCB has stopped production at all of its UK manufacturing plants for two weeks as disruption resulting from the coronavirus pandemic has caused an unprecedented reduction in global demand.
“It has become more challenging to maintain business continuity in this volatile economic climate.
“JCB is a global exporter and worldwide demand for our products has dropped sharply as customers cancel orders and defer deliveries. This is not just a UK issue, it is worldwide and with countries like France, Spain and Italy going into lock-down, those key markets for construction equipment disappear overnight.”