"We are a sixth generation family business specialising in the handling of agricultural produce such as grain, feed and fertiliser," says managing director Mark Cessford, explaining the remit of Rix Shipping Scotland Ltd. The company's team handles around 350,000 tonnes of produce arriving in Montrose each year.
In the process, each load is handled twice. "Once to get it off the ship or up onto the ship, and another time to load it off a truck. That means we move 700,000 tonnes a year," says Mark Cessford.
To secure one of the first models of the Fendt Cargo T955, the managing director worked closely with Ross Agri - a Fendt dealer that supplies machines to Scotland.

Mark Cessford is convinced: "In the past, operators of telescopic machines have had to put up with limited visibility. This is the first time that this problem has been solved. Our operators have a clear view when emptying ships, loading warehouses or trucks. It's the perfect tool for our work on the docks."
In addition to the technical refinements of the Fendt Cargo T995, Mark Cessford highlights the operational benefits. "The responsibility of handling product on a daily basis can be overwhelming, especially when drivers are under stress and have to work quickly. We place a high priority on driver wellness and work with our team to ensure the job is doable with the equipment and time we have," he says. This focus on the mental and physical well-being of the drivers was an important part of the decision to invest in the Fendt Cargo T955. "We could have spent less and still had a powerful telehandler. The Fendt Cargo T955, however, gives our drivers more confidence because it eliminates the blind spot problem. It makes the job easier and the driver feels fresher and less stressed after the shift," he explains.
Cessford considers himself fortunate to have qualified and dedicated drivers and a foundation of trust on which to work with them. However, he is aware that finding qualified workers in agriculture is difficult and that contractors often work in unfamiliar environments. "Contractors don't always enjoy the luxury of being familiar with the outside conditions from the get-go. This is where I see the greatest benefit of the Fendt Cargo T955. When working in unfamiliar environments, the cab gives the operator better visibility. For him, this reduces the likelihood of being surprised by objects outside his field of vision," he said.
Gus Whyte, Rix driver, adds: "At first I thought the cab was a gimmick, but it only took me a few minutes to realise what a difference it makes. It eliminates blind spots, which makes the job easier and safer. At the end of the day, I feel fitter both mentally and physically."

His experience with the operation and handling of the machine was better than he expected. "The hydraulics are some of the best I have ever used. The operation is smooth and very sensitive, but still easy to control. The Fendt Cargo T955 may look a bit clunky, especially with the cab up, but it turns like a 50 cent piece and manoeuvres very well," he comments.
Gus Whyte has the job of unloading a lot of materials from the ships that dock at Montrose.
Thanks to the hydraulically liftable cab, operators can fill the trailers more accurately and maximize storage space by stacking products higher. Materials such as pulp are packed with wires that allow the forks to lift them. "The mental stress is high when unloading difficult materials like pulp. The margin for error is low. In the past, it was difficult to even see the wires. It made the job very difficult," he said.
​In the past, he used cameras to improve visibility. However, he admits that this method is significantly inferior to the enhanced view in the ​Fendt Cargo T955.
The fact that the Fendt Cargo T955 looks a bit cumbersome when the cab is fully extended is not reflected in its driving performance. With the cab fully extended, the telehandler can travel 40 kilometres per hour. Although it is unlikely that a driver would need such a speed, it is a testament to the robust and balanced nature of the machine.
The company's managing director Mark Cessford has no regrets about the investment: "We've been stacking our products four times as high for years. We have the ceiling height to stack them five or six high, but a conventional telescopic handler doesn't provide the visibility to do it accurately." He is certain that the Fendt Cargo T955 has helped maximise the storage capacity of our buildings. We even stack bale goods six high now, for example. "That's an operational efficiency that saves space, time and money," says Mark Cessford with conviction.