Andrew Radford
I am a... parts manager
Andrew Radford has recently begun working for Pöttinger, an Austrian based family-owned agricultural technology company. He was previously a project development coordinator and then promoted to engine product manager for the Vapormatic Company.
Andrew, from Devon, graduated in 2012 with a BEng (Hons) Off Road Vehicle Design. He spent his placement with Vapormatic, which markets one of the largest ranges of replacement tractor parts and accessories in the world. Like so many others before him, Andrew took the opportunity during placement to not only hone his skills but to prove himself worthy of a permanent job.
The company was looking for someone, he says, with “An education that was not just theoretical but also contained practice design and build modules as well as a basic overview of business studies.” These were among the many skills Andrew honed whilst studying at Harper Adams.
“No other engineering course will give you the same level of practical experience and academic knowledge. The best things about my course were the teacher to student ratio, and having lecturers with industry experience. The teaching/staff support at Harper Adams is second to none. Friends at other universities were always astounded when I spoke of the support I received from lecturers.”
At Vapormatic the 23-year-old was responsible for “supporting the marketing of the company’s 4,500 replacement engine parts, selecting and introducing new products and promoting existing ranges. Each day was different; the most satisfying feeling is to introduce a new product and see healthy sales.”
Andrew has recently begun a new job as Parts Manager for Pöttinger UK, which handles the sales, distribution and aftersales support for the company’s full product range of grassland and tillage equipment to a nationwide network of official Pöttinger dealers.
The Pöttinger company
This family run company, with its HQ in Austria, was set up in 1871 by Franz Pöttinger. Today it provides up-to-date, innovative agricultural engineering technology to help increase agricultural productivity.
What does a Pottinger National Parts Manager do?
- Supporting and dealing with orders and enquiries from the dealer network.
- Supporting dealer’s parts staff with technical quires, and product availability.
- Supporting the sales department by promoting reasonably priced wearing parts for both grassland and tillage machines. The job involves travelling to dealers across the country throughout the winter months to discuss the previous season and plan improvements for the future.
What qualities are needed?
- A can do attitude
- Excellent communication skills
- Understanding the demands of the agricultural supply business
