Years of hard work, excellent customer service and community-orientated business practise enabled South Australian machinery dealership Ramsey Bros to claim the prestigious National Case IH major Dealer of the Year award.
General manager Mark Ward said the company was "very honoured and very proud" to accept the Dealer of the Year Award, for three or more branches, at a gala dinner held in Canberra last Thursday evening.
"It's a very high accolade. Whilst it's based on last year's results, it has really been years in the making," he said.
"We spend a lot of time and effort on the presentation of all our dealerships, our vehicles and our staff, internally and externally."
"Ramsey Bros have been rated as one of the top dealers in the country for many years and were proud to be recognised as the best of the best, earning the accolade after being nominated as one of four finalists for the award."
Bruce Healy, Case IH Brand Leader Australia, was full of praise for the SA business.
“All Ramsey Bros branches are well presented, with a fresh look and feel. The business has strong sales procedures and more potential for growth,” he said.
A family-owned business with six branches, Ramsey Bros have used their reach to positively impact a number of local communities through their support of local sporting clubs, schools and community groups.
The dealership, established in 1950, has been a valued Gold Sponsor of the Variety Bash and Variety 4WD Challenge children's charity fundraising events since 2014.
Mr Ward said partnering with members of local communities and contributing to local organisations is one of their primary focuses.
"Each branch has a budget they can use for worthwhile local events," he said.
Mr Ward's grandfather started the business with his brother in Cleve 66 years ago and it has remained a family-orientated operation ever since.
Relatives of Mr Ward are prominent in all six branches - based in Cleve, Cummins, Kimba, Wudinna, Riverton and Murray Bridge.
A dedicated workforce, and establishing themselves as part of the local communities they operate in, has been a key reason for Ramsey Bros success according to Mr Ward.
"We have very loyal, long-term staff and we've been servicing and partnering with our customers since 1950. We strive to provide very good customer service and we live in these country towns with the farmers. If the farmers don't do well, we don't do well," he said.
Other finalists in the major Dealer of the Year Award were O’Connors,Vic, Kenway & Clark, NSW, and Wideland Ag, NSW and QLD.
QLD's Agricultural Requirements won the Dealer of the Year award for one or two branches, while Farmers Centre WA recevied the CNH Industrial Capital Dealer of the Year award.
St George Machinery Centre, QLD, won the Case IH Parts and Service Dealer of the Year, and McDonald Murphy Machinery, QLD, won the Farmall Sales Achievement Award.