The main John Deere dealer in the north has pledged to continue serving its farming customers, despite losing the franchise to sell the well-known green and yellow machinery brand.
HRN Tractors – which has depots in Insch, Turriff, Kinloss, Muir of Ord, Wick, Baleggie in Perthshire and Stirling – will cease to be a John Deere dealer at the end of October.
The move, announced by John Deere last month, will see Forfar-headquartered Netherton Tractors take over the franchise in northern Scotland with the establishment of new depots in Turriff and Nairn later this year.
It follows HRN being given notice as a John Deere dealer at its Baleggie depot, and Netherton announcing plans to open a new dealership on the outskirts of Perth to sell John Deere machinery.
In a statement, HRN’s owners, father-and-son duo Neil and Stuart Barclay, said the company was in a “secure place” and it will continue to grow and strive for excellence while fully supporting its staff and customers.
“Many of our farming family customers have dealt with us for over 40 years and it is our staff and customers that have made the company the success it is today – we remain fully committed to you all,” said the Barclays.
They said the decision to part company with John Deere after 40 years was partly down to a difference in opinions.
“It has become abundantly clear that our visions of the future of Scottish agriculture differ greatly and we have completely lost trust in the company,” they said.
They said they were “perturbed” by comments made to them by a senior member of John Deere management that farming north of Stonehaven will be non-sustainable in the future and that the west of Scotland will be all planted in trees.
“We feel this shows a complete disconnect with reality,” said the Barclays.
They added: “We have seven depots across the country, currently have the largest selection of used and nearly new agricultural machinery and equipment in Scotland and are exploring the possibility of taking on new franchises.
“We are excited about the future and the developments it will bring.”
John Deere declined to comment.