New tech advisor brings extra support for tractor repairs

AFGRI Equipment Australia are pleased to welcome a new member to our team of technical advisors, Gert Grobler. Gert, who specializes in tractors, joined the team in April this year after emigrating from South Africa to Australia with his family. Gert started his career with John Deere and AFGRI in 1996 as an apprentice at a Deere dealership in Middelburg, South Africa. After completing his apprenticeship, he was appointed at another dealership in Nigel in 1998 until 2006 when he then moved to another machinery franchise for 2 years. In 2008, Gert rejoined AFGRI at their Delmas branch as a technician before transferring to the Grootvlei branch the same year as the workshop’s working foreman. Over the course of his career, Gert has received several accolades including being one of the top 10 finalists for Technician of the Year in John Deere Sub-Sahara Africa for 6 years running, from 2015 to 2020. Gert finished first for the prestigious award in 2020, as well as placed second in 2018 and 2019 and third in 2017 respectively. Gert said placing first in the 2020 awards was the highlight of his career so far. Over his working career in the field, Gert has completed works on various types of tractors, big and small garnering a wealth of knowledge and experience. Gert said he looks forward to the challenge of his new role. “Technology has come a long way since I started with AFGRI as an apprentice,” Gert said. “I’m excited to continue to work with the latest tools and technology in order to help our technicians diagnose and repair machines faster and more efficiently.”