NEWS RELEASE July 15, 2022
John Deere New Zealand Construction and Forestry Service Technician Award Finalists Announced
Crestmead, Queensland (15 July, 2022) – TWO mechanics from the same workshop in Hastings have found themselves as competitors in the Construction and Forestry Service Technician category of the second annual John Deere Technician Awards.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, offered his congratulations to finalists and workmates Stephan Ebert and Nick Fargher who are both employed at AGrowQuip NZ, Hastings.
The New Zealand technicians will now contend with four Australians for the coveted title of John Deere Construction and Forestry Service Technician of the Year.
"Technicians deliver services integral to the construction and forestry industry by not only providing vital backup support and remote diagnostics, but by empowering operators to get the most out of their machinery and technology," Mr Chandler said.
"New Zealand is fortunate to have an enormous pool of brilliant technicians working across our forestry, construction and earthworks sites, so these finalists deserve to be very proud for being named among the best in their field."
The John Deere Technician Awards were established in 2021 to recognise the hard work and expertise technicians provide to the construction, forestry and agriculture industries across Australia and New Zealand, and their drive to support businesses to be their most efficient, productive and profitable.
In total, more than 100 nominations from across Australia and New Zealand were received for the Awards, with finalists competing in six different categories, including Agriculture Service Technician of the Year, Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year, Turf Service Technician of the Year, Service Apprentice of the Year, Parts Technician of the Year and Parts Apprentice of the Year.
The award winners will be announced at a special gala event on 5 August, Brisbane, Australia.
NEW ZEALAND JOHN DEERE CONSTRUCTION AND FORESTRY SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Stephan Ebert, AGrowQuip NZ, Hastings
Growing up on a farm in Germany, Stephan Ebert was always a curious learner and interested in fixing machines. He has worked across multiple industries and had worked with John Deere machinery in the past before he began his career as a John Deere technician at AGrowQuip NZ. Today, he thoroughly enjoys working across both the construction and forestry industries. The diversity of the Field Service Technician role has made Stephan passionate about his work and determined to continue to upskill himself to better service customers.
With a personal motto that "there are no problems, just solutions" he has earned a reputation as a respected technician across customers within his 500 km service area, which stretches from Gisborne to the Wairarapa region.
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Nick Fargher, AGrowQuip NZ, Hastings
Nick Fargher was runner-up for New Zealand Construction and Forestry Technician of the Year in 2021 during the inaugural John Deere Technician Awards, a recognition which served to inspire him this year. He has further expanded his remote diagnostics skills which helps empower operators to get the most out of their machines.
A proud father of two boys, Nick has been qualified for six years and said working on site, across some beautiful yet remote areas, was his "perfect office". Nick has been instrumental in growing the aftermarket business across the lower North Island, which has recently expanded to require the hiring of another technician.
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LIST OF NEW ZEALAND FINALISTS:
Agriculture Service Technician of the Year Finalists
(will compete for New Zealand only Award)
- Bryce Dickson, Brandt, Whangārei, North Island
- Greg Bishop, Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel, South Island
Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year Finalists
(will compete against four Australian technicians for a combined New Zealand/Australian Award)
- Stephan Ebert, AGrowQuip NZ, Hastings, North Island
- Nick Fargher, AGrowQuip NZ, Hastings, North Island
Turf Service Technician of the Year Finalist
(will compete against four Australian technicians for a combined New Zealand/Australian Award)
- Hayden Pollard, Brandt, Whangārei, North Island
Service Apprentice of the Year Finalist
(will compete against four Australian apprentices for a combined New Zealand/Australian Award)
- Joshua Alexander, Brandt, Whangārei, North Island
- Logan Robertson, Southland Farm Machinery, Invercargill, South Island
Parts Technician of the Year Finalist
(will compete for New Zealand only Award)
- Ben McShane, AGrowQuip NZ, Cambridge, North Island
- Megan Tree, Southland Farm Machinery, Gore, South Island
- Megan Foster, Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel, South Island
Parts Apprentice of the Year Finalist
(will compete against four Australian apprentices for a combined New Zealand/Australian Award)
- Deena Martin, Drummond & Etheridge, Ashburton, South Island
About John Deere:
Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, golf & turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and See & Spray™ are just two of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com or in New Zealand at JohnDeere.co.nz.
Media Enquiries:
Stacey Wordsworth
stacey.wordsworth@bluehillpr.com.au
0438 394 371
Hannah Hardy
hannah.hardy@bluehillpr.com.au
0421 196 004
