Engen Petroleum, a leading supplier and service partner of diesel and lubricants to the agricultural industry, has renewed an enduring 35-year managing partnership with Grain SA surrounding the 2012 NAMPO Harvest Day.

Billed as the biggest agricultural show in the southern hemisphere, the 23-hectare showcase for suppliers of the farming industry – including farming equipment, transport, outdoor leisure, cooking and fashion –kicks off on 14 May this year.

By Friday 17 May, organisers expect more than 75 000 visitors to pass through its gates, netting the non-profit organisation more than R1million per day in entrance fees.

Small beginnings

Eric Nel, field sales agent at Engen, says the company has been involved with NAMPO Harvest Day since 1978, when the show moved from Bloemfontein to Bothaville in Free State.

“Our involvement started off on a small scale with us showcasing our lubricating oils and diesel and exhibiting a handful of vintage tractors as a drawcard for enthusiasts. We also printed co-branded tickets for NAMPO, manned and branded the gates and did the banking.”

Nel says the early years were “pretty primitive”. “It was basically a few guys sitting around a table minding some tractors in a field, with a rope around. We then got specialist consultants 4bits on board to help with end-to-end eventing and branding.”

In 1982, a tractor museum was built under Engen’s direction and subsequent maintenance. Nel says this proved among the biggest attractions at the 2012 event, pulling record numbers of fans.

Managing partners

This year, equipment on exhibition will exceed R500 million. Engen is funding contract employment for the show, and pre-selling tickets in an attempt to alleviate pressure at the gates.

All major truck and tractor companies are expected to exhibit, and the major oil companies will be in attendance.

In 2012, a John Deere stall did such a roaring trade that other manufacturers aligned themselves with the iconic farming brand rather than risk an unfrequented solo stand, says Nel.

Engen showcase

Engen will showcase its new Dynamic Diesel (also available in low-sulphur 50 ppm), an intelligent diesel that offers both economy and restoration of engine power.

In addition the company will exhibit its range of lubricants, including the top-of-the-range Dieselube 700 Super for agricultural, heavy industries and fleet customers. Dieselube 700 Superhas received glowing endorsements for its superior performance, low failure rate and customer satisfaction, says Jason Heath, product strategist for Petronas Lubricants Africa Ltd, which provides marketing and strategic support for Engen Lubricants.

Engen will also introduceTrue Grit, a newly repackaged hand-cleaning product for resellers, independent workshops and lubricant distributors.  The company has also entered into partnership with cooperative Senwes to televise a chat and music show at the event.

Enduring commitment

“This is an enduring partnership in which Engen has proved its commitment to the agricultural fraternity in no uncertain terms,” says Nel. “Engen and Nampo are practically synonymous in this part of the world, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”