After joining OPICO in January 2024 as Territory Manager South West, Dean Cottey is taking the reins as UK Strautmann Product Manager from the 1^st of August. Dean has a wealth of experience in agricultural machinery, having spent the last 14 years honing his knowledge with CLAAS UK. Deans’ passion for agriculture comes from growing up on his family dairy farm in East Devon.

“Growing up in Devon with my brothers and working alongside my Mum and Dad sparked my passion for farming, I’ve always known I wanted a career in agriculture. During my college studies I was given the opportunity to spend 12 months’ work experience with McCormick. At only 17 years old it was a great insight into the machinery side of ag and it’s where my interest in working with machinery sales started.”

Once completing his National diploma, Dean went on to study a BEng in Agricultural Engineering at Harper Adams and spent 15 months work experience with CLAAS UK. “This is where I really got stuck into understanding machinery manufacturing.”

After graduating Dean was employed by CLAAS UK as a graduate management trainee and worked his way up to becoming the Product Manager for Foragers, Balers and Green Harvest machines for 11 years.

Joining OPICO after spending a long time with CLAAS was an exciting opportunity for Dean, “Don’t get me wrong I love working with tractors and machinery, but being able to expand my knowledge and bring my skills to a new role with such a wide selection of products has been really satisfying for me.”

“I feel being appointed as the Strautmann Product Manager for the UK has also been a real achievement and is the perfect fit for my personal experience, growing up on the dairy farm, forage wagons and feeders have been a huge part of my life. I’m looking forward to continuing to develop the brand and product offering here in the UK. In the short time I’ve been with OPICO we have already launched a new professional Vert-Mix, diet feeder range increasing the overall offering from Strautmann.”

James Woolway, OPICO Managing Director commented, Dean has been a great addition to the OPICO team, his knowledge of agricultural machinery is excellent and his in-depth practical knowledge and experience enables him to relate to customer’s.

When he’s not doing his day job, Dean spends quality time with his family and of course enjoys visits back to the family farm whenever he gets the chance.