After taking a leap into self-employment back in 2020, Michael Lloyd-Yates founder of Agri Service is now celebrating a years’ partnership with Dutch crop spraying manufacturer, Agrifac. In what was a turbulent year for most globally, business has gone from strength to strength for Michael as he secured certified Service Agent status with Agrifac UK within his first year of trading, covering the Counties of Kent and Essex, respectively. Now into his second year of his collaboration with Agrifac UK, we delve into business operations of the sprayer specialist and explore his experience within the industry. 

Michael started off his career by jumping feet-first into an apprenticeship with John Deere in 1988. Giants in the Agricultural world, this opportunity allowed him to turbocharge his passion for the industry and propel him into a prosperous profession. By the end of his apprenticeship in 1992, he took the path into working with machine technology. Coinciding perfectly with the introduction of satellite technology advancements, Michael carved out the next chapter of his career with John Deere within this sector; specialising in technology, sprayers and machine optimisation. End-user focussed and rounding off his all-encompassing experience with the global brand, he soon realised that his experience of ensuring that his customers gained the most out of their machinery went hand in hand with sales, rounding off his time at the dealership within a sales representative role. 

After 32 years loyal service with his local John Deere dealership, Michael devised a plan to start up his own business which would put his skills, experience and industry contacts gained over his career into a future-proof business. Where others may have avoided any major career changes during a worldwide pandemic, Michael grabbed the opportunity with both hands, forming Agri Service an agricultural engineering company based in Kent. Armed with unparalleled knowledge, an exceptional reputation and buckets of motivation, Michael broke into conversation with the team at Agrifac UK just shy of a year after establishing. After recommendations from current customers and approval from senior management, a contract was shortly signed confirming Agri Service as the regional technical and sales partner for Agrifac UK in the South of England.  

Commenting on the partnership a year in, Michael Lloyd-Yates gave his perspective of working with Agrifac UK: “Because of my 32 years of experience with a corporate business, staring out on my own initially felt very lonely. Now that I am linked to Agrifac and work very closely with the UK team, I feel like part of the bigger picture and feel like I work for the company directly even though I am self-employed.” Since bringing Agri Service on board, there have been many structural changes within the team at Agrifac UK, all of which Michael has experienced first-hand: “There have been changes within the team since I started working with Agrifac, but I believe the changes are all for the good. We have moved forward a long way since the partnership began. The team are very transparent with me, and I have a lot of confidence in them all.” 

Michael continued: “I’m in constant contact with the parts, service and warranty team in March, and all of them ensure that I am well integrated within plans and well informed too. Just last week I started a discussion with the Aftersales Manager Rob about a process improvement idea I had which could be distributed across the whole UK network, which is now going through the motions of being evaluated. I can have direct conversations with the people that make decisions which is fantastic as I do really feel appreciated as an additional member of the team.” 

Away from the service side of operations, Agri Service are also directly involved with on-farm demonstrations within their operating area. “Customers often have the misconception that the Agrifac machines are too big and complicated, but actually they are the total opposite – they are so simple and methodical,” commented Michael. “I do pride myself on the uptime these machines have – since I’ve been working with Agrifac I have only had three machines that I have had to go out to as priority assistance to get them working again. All other customers have been able to carry on spraying until I can reach them. The availability and efficiency these machines give really is second to none.” 

It hasn’t just been Michael’s attention that has been captured by the Dutch manufactured crop sprayers either, as his son Alex has caught the machinery bug through accompanying him on several jobs this year too. “Alex is due to start his mechanical engineering apprenticeship at Moreton Morrell college after he has finished his exams in the Summer. He has been joining me on several demonstrations and at local events over the last year or so now too and is very eager to help me grow the business. This combined with us recently becoming certified NSTS examiners is starting to spell even more excitement for the year ahead and beyond.” The determination and motivation between the father and son duo look to be heading in the direction of a growth mindset already, distinctions of which align with Agrifac BV’s ethos and mission going into the future; continuous development to stay at the forefront.