FTMTA National Conference

The national conference of the Association for 2012 was held on November 29^th and was a very successful and worthwhile event. A large representation of the industry from across the country attended and listened to a wide variety of presentations from an interesting panel of speakers.

The Association is grateful to the conference sponsor, Genfitt, for their support in making the event possible and also to our speakers and, most of all, to those who attended.

A major focus for the conference was the launch of the FTMTA ProDealer Credit Policy which is designed to improve the cash flow position in the farm machinery industry by tackling the long standing issues around credit and debtors in the sector. The policy was well received by the conference with recognition that it is a necessary move. In his closing remarks, FTMTA President, Mr. Garry Daly summarised the mood by stating “there are a lot of things that we need to do better as an industry but without getting the area of credit in hand, none of the rest will matter – you cannot, and will not, survive without cash”.

FTMTA Gold Award

The FTMTA Gold Award for 2012 was presented by the FTMTA President, Mr. Garry Daly, to Mr. Matt Dempsey, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, at the National Conference. The FTMTA Gold Award is made every two years to a person who is considered by the FTMTA Executive Council to have given outstanding or long service to the Association or the agricultural machinery industry in general.

The FTMTA Gold Award was made to Matt Dempsey in recognition of his outstanding input to, and support of, the agricultural machinery industry in Ireland over many years as Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal.

Credit Policy Training

Following on from the official launch of the FTMTA ProDealer Credit Policy at the recent national conference, the first training course dealing specifically with the implementation of this policy will be held at the FTMTA Farm Machinery Training Centre on Thursday, December 13^th. The course will be delivered by Declan Flood who worked with the Association on the creation of the policy and who spoke in relation to it at the national conference.

The closing date for the course is Friday, December 7^th and bookings can be made by contacting the FTMTA office eon 045 409309 or at membership@ftmta.ie .

Be a part of a stronger farm machinery industry – join the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association – contact FTMTA at 045 409309 or membership@ftmta.ie for details.