Steve Powlesland : A Personal Tribute

We start the week with some very sad news that we received on Friday about the passing of Steve Powlesland, a legend in the plant and machinery sales sector, not only down here in the South West, but internationally too.

Steve was best known as a member of the Holt JCB family, with whom he had a relationship with spanning over 36 years. Steve’s journey with the business started within their agricultural equipment division where his invaluable knowledge of the products saw him become the agricultural sales manager.

Steve had a such a great passion for machines, and just knew the products inside out, he was always customer focused, ensuring that those customers got the right machine for the job, and that the level of service back up was top drawer. Steve went on to manage Holt JCB’s Global Used Equipment division which saw him selling used machines right across the globe.

Steve did take a break from Holt JCB for a while, around the early 2000’s when he set up his own business SPK Equipment Ltd based in Newton Abbot selling used construction equipment both locally, nationally and internationally. It was this yard that I used to enjoy visiting Steve for a coffee and to chat machines. He was always very welcoming and I could talk to him for hours about the kit.

One that always springs to my mind was an old Caterpillar D7E that Steve told me he had sold to, if memory serves me right, a customer in Africa!

I last caught up with Steve in person on the Holt JCB stand during the Royal Cornwall Show in 2023, where he proudly showed me around a used JCB 140X which was immaculately turned out, showing the quality of the team’s preparation work and attention to detail.

Steve has built many strong customer friendships over the years, and he will be sorely missed by so many in the industry. Apart from the work aspect, above all Steve was just a really nice bloke, with time for everyone, and that is how I will always remember him.

My deepest thoughts and condolences go out to Steve’s wife Debbie, family and friends at this sad time.

Rest In Peace Steve.

The funeral will be held at Exeter Crematorium on Thursday 22nd August at 1.30pm.