NEWS RELEASE August 01, 2023
North and South Island technicians to compete against Australians for 2023 John Deere Construction & Forestry Technician Award
Crestmead, Queensland (1 August, 2023) — TWO New Zealand technicians supporting the nation's construction and forestry industries will head to Australia this month to compete in the annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.
Nick Fargher, representing the Brandt Feilding dealership on the North Island, and Mark Haughton, from the South Island's Drummond & Etheridge Rolleston, branch are award veterans, with Mark proudly taking out the inaugural Construction & Forestry Technician of the Year Award in 2021 and Nick named as a category finalist each year since inception of the program two years ago.
Both technicians will join Australian counterparts, Hayden Cox and Mick Muller, in Brisbane for the Award judging where they will undergo testing to assess their ability to solve on-site challenges and provide backup support using remote diagnostics.
The coveted title is one of seven awards across five categories that make up the annual John Deere program, with others including Service Apprentice of the Year, Parts Apprentice of the Year and individual country awards for the Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year and Parts Technician of the Year.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler congratulated Nick and Mark and thanked them for the integral role they play in keeping their customers moving.
"John Deere is proud to service the construction, forestry and earthmoving industries and proud of the way our technicians care for their customers' businesses and support them to get the very best from their equipment," Mr Chandler said.
“These industries contribute significantly to Australia's economy and are critical to local communities, and people like Nick and Mark play an important role in keeping their operations up and running.
“We're so pleased to again be meeting in Brisbane to acknowledge the work of our best and brightest, reward excellence and show what rewarding careers are to be had as parts and service technicians.”
Mr Chandler also congratulated the two Australian finalists in the award, Hayden Cox and Mark Muller, both from RDO Equipment at Eastern Creek, New South Wales.
More than 100 nominations from 62 John Deere dealerships across Australia and New Zealand were received for the 2023 Technician of the Year Awards, established in 2021 to recognise the impact and hard work of technicians and to encourage more people to apply for roles in service and parts.
The award winners will be announced at a special gala event on Thursday 24 August.
NEW ZEALAND 2023 JOHN DEERE CONSTRUCTION & FORESTRY SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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Nick Fargher, Brandt, Feilding will contend for the 2023 John Deere Construction & Forestry Technician of the Year.
Nick Fargher, Brandt, Feilding, North Island
Born into a family of machinery owners and operators, Nick Fargher has always had a passion for mechanics and machine diagnostics. Starting his career servicing mixed brands, Nick fell in love with John Deere products and began working solely on John Deere Construction & Forestry equipment in 2020. No stranger to the John Deere Technician Awards, Nick is proud to have been named a finalist twice since the awards inception in 2021.
His enthusiasm for his work is grounded in his belief that the forestry industry is a pillar of the New Zealand economy, and he is proud of the role he plays in supporting the sector. Nick enjoys the diversity of the job, including seeing some of New Zealand's best scenery when he visits customers. He welcomes every opportunity to upskill, attending additional training offered through John Deere and learning from his fellow colleagues.
He is committed to ensuring his customers' needs are met and understands the importance service support has in ensuring operators can get the most efficiency out of their equipment. Nick thrives in a challenging environment and his technical knowledge and ability to offer guidance and support to his team has established him as a leader in the field.
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Mark Haughton, Drummond & Etheridge, Rolleston will contend for the 2023 John Deere Construction & Forestry Technician of the Year.
Mark Haughton, Drummond & Etheridge, Rolleston, South Island
Becoming a John Deere Construction & Forestry Technician was somewhat of a calling for Mark Haughton, who has had a love for machinery since childhood. Mark began his career through an automotive apprenticeship, before travelling to Western Australia to work in the mining industry. He later returned home to New Zealand to work with John Deere.
Mark is considered one of the leaders in his field and was proud to secure the title of 2021 New Zealand John Deere Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year at the inaugural John Deere Technician Awards.
Mark enjoys the challenges that come with the job, with a typical day seeing him travel to some of New Zealand's most remote areas. He has exceptional technical skills and knowledge of John Deere equipment and understands the importance of providing quality service and using specialist diagnostic tools to solve problems and build trust with his customers.
Mark is proud to not only represent the John Deere brand but also support the construction and forestry industries by providing these expert services.
OTHER 2023 JOHN DEERE TECHNICIAN AWARD NEW ZEALAND FINALISTS
Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year
(will compete for a New Zealand only Award)
- Greg Bishop, Otago Farm Machinery, Mosgiel, South Island
- Bryce Dickson, Brandt, Whangarei, North Island
Parts Technician of the Year
(will compete for a New Zealand only Award)
- Mollie Clarke, Brandt, Gisborne, North Island
- Jimmy O'Donnell, Drummond & Etheridge, Blenheim, South Island
Service Apprentice of the Year
(will compete against four Australian finalists for a combined Australian/New Zealand Award)
- Dylan Bruce, Drummond & Etheridge, Rolleston, South Island
- Tom Fyfe, Brandt, Rotorua, North Island
Parts Apprentice of the Year
(will compete against five Australian finalists for a combined Australian/New Zealand Award)
- Paige Hunter, Drummond & Etheridge, Rolleston, 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 Contacts:
Kate Scott
kate.scott@bluehillpr.com.au
0438 389 092
Grace Wickson
grace.wickson@bluehillpr.com.au
0432 748 837
