AFTER more than 40 years at the helm of one of the region’s largest machinery dealerships, O’Connors Farm Machinery managing director Mark O’Connor is stepping down.
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Mr O’Connor will retire at the end of the year after 42 years with the company.
O’Connors Farm Machinery was established at Birchip in 1964 by Mr O’Connor’s parents John, also known as JJ, and Pauline O’Connor.
Since then, the business has grown to include six Case IH dealerships across three states.
Mr O’Connor said after finishing year 12 at Monivae College, he originally thought about going to university.
“It was suggested to me to get a job using my hands instead of my brain and I started as an apprentice mechanic at the family business,” he said.
Mr O’Connor said there had been many changes in both farming operations and technology during his career.
“Back at the start, a lot of tractors didn’t have cabins and auto-combines were just starting to take off,” he said.
“The biggest change has been in satellite technology though – now crops are sown within two centimetres of each other and that practice is repeated year after year.
“Innovation has come a long way.”
Mr O’Connor said a highlight of his career was the people he had met.
“I have come across a lot of people across our six dealerships and have made many lasting friendships,” he said.
“You become part of their family – it’s the relationships you make that was the key driver for me.”
Group operations manager Gareth Webb will take over the top job from July 1.
Mr O’Connor welcomed Mr Webb’s appointment.
“I’m really excited to see a young, enthusiastic guy leading the company,” he said.
“We need to have these younger people coming through to keep invigorating the business and allow it to grow.
“He heads up a strong executive group too, so he has a good team behind him.”
Mr Webb started working at O’Connors Farm Machinery in Birchip in 2004, before becoming the dealership’s branch manager.
He has worked as the company’s operations manager for the past four years.
His appointment will be the first time in the company’s 54-year history that the head of the organisation is someone from outside the family.
Mr Webb said it was a great honour to be appointed the role.
“I’m very respectful of all of Mark’s efforts and I know he is handing over the reins to a company with a proud history and a strong foundation for me to build on,” he said.
“I’ve learnt a lot from him during my time at O’Connors Farm Machinery.”