Ag veteran swaps grain for machinery

WA agriculture veteran David Capper is set to break new professional ground within McIntosh Group as the machinery entity’s chief executive.

Mr Capper was previously general manager of operations at CBH Group, a role he held for eight years, but he departed the Jimmy Wilson-led co-operative four months ago.

McIntosh Group confirmed Mr Capper’s move from the world of grains to farm machinery last week.

“David has a wealth of agribusiness experience, having held executive leadership positions in multiple sectors, including the food processing sector and most recently in supply chain and logistics,” a spokesman said.

McIntosh Group, which includes the dealer network of McIntosh & Son and import and wholesale arm McIntosh Distribution, employs more than 300 people in WA and Queensland.

Established in 1955, McIntosh & Son has nine dealerships across WA and one in Dalby, Queensland, while the import and wholesale arm handles brands including Morris, Miller, LiuGong and the Integrated Harrington Seed Destructor.

Recent developments within the dealer network include an upgrade to its 5ha Katanning site, with a new state-of-the-art parts facility which officially opened on Friday.

Mr Capper, who worked at CBH for almost two decades, has experience in logistics, engineering and shipping services.

His past also includes a stint as operations director at PT Eastern Pearl Flour Mills in Indonesia.

While McIntosh Group has remained silent on its operational plans going forward, its new chief has hinted at the role he might play.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Capper cites himself as a “performance-driven business leader” with “enterprise-level visioning and strategy”.

The profile added he could offer long-term solutions for safety, supply chain optimisation and organisational development strategies, while reducing costs and managing earnings before interest and taxes.

McIntosh & Son’s Katanning facility is believed to be one of the biggest of its kind in Australia, with the upgrade being touted as having the aim of revolutionising parts access for farmers in the Great Southern and further afield.

Its dealerships in Albany, Kulin and Esperance are operated from this central hub in Katanning, with the new premises including 1500sqm of warehouse space, 1250sqm of undercover offices and showrooms and a 50-head capacity training room.

Also in development is a new workshop at McIntosh & Son’s Geraldton dealership.

Brands handled by the group include New Holland, Challenger, Agri-Spread, Merlo, Hardi and GrainKing.