Detail

Passion for agriculture and for cars 

Since 1st February 2014, Ludovic has been working for HORSCH as a sales representative. But his love story with the red machines started much earlier. He was part of the sales team of Ruaux in Normandy when he met Florent Boissy, the regional HORSCH sales manager.

At that time, HORSCH was almost non-existent in this sales area with an acutally high potential and thus was looking for a competent partner. Ludovic’s sense for the sales sector improved and he was keen on actively fighting for a product in the market. So the chemistry was right – even better than expected.  

But Ludovic’s life is not only centred on HORSCH although the company is very dear to his heart. His life is very busy and he is always looking for new fields of activity.  

Entrepreneurial spirit – in his professional and his private life    

“I have always loved agriculture – in general, but also the technical side of it. Of course, my family, too, is very important to me. I love challenges and I am lucky that I can find all that at HORSCH! My passions can be summarised in four points:  

• Selling HORSCH machines  
• Encouraging the agricultural heritage (restoration of tractors and old agricultural machines and devices, animated graphics about agriculture in the past)   
• 2 CV competitions  
• And, of course, my family  

A passionate entrepreneur who is involved in a lot of associations  

Ludovic is a cheerful, communicative and optimistic man. And he is involved in a lot of associations. “I am a member of EPI, of 2 CV clubs and of the Brotherhood of Charity.”  

All these activities allow for gathering special experiences: using a historic agricultural machine, particpate with a 2 CV in an endurance race, take part in rallies in Tunisia, Morocco or Portugal or restore other 2 CVs .  

Passion for technology and preservation of the agricultural heritage  

Ludovic lives out his passion for agriculture with his commitment in the association EPI in Bouquetôt (Eure). The objective of the association is to encourage and to pass on the agricultural heritage and knowledge. “EPI is like my second family. My father, my oncle and some friends founded the association! I have been part of it since its foundation. At that time, I was 15 years old. We have about 40 enthousiastic members and try to encourage the passing on of knowledge about the agricultural heritage and the rural area without being nostalgic.”  

The volunteers for example restored a steam engine from 1900 that drove a thresher or a stem wood saw. They also restored and preserved many old tractors. 

“Working at an innovative company and at the same time contribute to preserve agricultural knowledge – sometimes I find it paradoxical myself“, Ludovic says and smiles.   

Ludovic is sure that there always have been technical problems and agricultural challenges and that the past can always be an inspiration for innovations. “Being nostalgic doesn’t get you anywhere. I am not a fan of “Everything used to be better in the past”. You have to know where you come from to make plans for the future and to get something started. A lot of ideas were tested in the past, but often abandoned as there were no appropriate machines. Today, the same ideas come out again and allow for a lot of innovations.”  

According to Ludovic, the return of the Finer SL is a perfect example. “50 years ago, there already was a similar tool. The world changes and develops but is consists of cycles that return perpetually.”  

Agricultural und automotive engineering – equally ingenious!  

In Ludovic’s opinion, there are a lot of similarities between the technology of the 2 CV and the mechanical and technical approach HORSCH pursues with regard to the development of the machines. The products combine innovation, simplicity and reliability.

“Ultra-innovative and ultra-simple: This was the formula for success of the 2 CV when it was launched”, Ludovic confirms. “The driving experience with a 2 CV is incredible. If you have never driven it before, you should know that you feel the speed much more intensely in this ultra-light, small car that leans out in every corner and gives you a good shaking on uneven roads.This is a quite special mixture of feelings. Imagine sitting at the steering wheel of a 2 CV you have restored yourself and making a long-distance tour in the desert! That’s magic”, Ludovic says with bright eyes.   

Endurance training with the 2 CV  

Ludovic is part of an endurance team – as a “fueler”. “I don’t drive myself. As a mechanic, I am responsible for maintenance and re-fuelling. The focus is on the race. That’s the extreme version of driving a 2 CV.“ Every year, he and his team take part in an international race where more than 110 cars compete with each other. This race takes places on the legendary racecourse of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. “Imagine the 24 Hours of Le Mans but with 2 CVs in the Ardennes. It’s incredible…!“

Support from the family   

“None of this would be possible without my wife who manages our family with four children with a lot of patience. She is my partner, she keeps me grounded and supports me in everything I do. She is the best co-driver during the rallies as she is the only one who helps me come down when I am under pressure and brings me back to earth.”  

In addition to his strong relationship with his wife Camille, Ludovic is also very proud of his four children, Servane, Firmin, Gaëlle and Gaspard. He is happy to see them grow up and to watch each one develop in their own way: one mischievous, one very focused, the twins are protecting each other and, of course, all the normal quarrels between siblings!  

“I hope that the children will eventually share my passion. At least, I try my best! They are constantly accompanying me on the old Farmall or Bolinder tractors. I had to install a small, well-secured bench so that I could take all four of them with me in June when I was haying.”  

The trips to the 2 CV rallies – a passion for two  

Together with his wife Camille, Ludovic already particpated in several rallies: in Spain in 2015, in Sardinia in 2016, in Portugal in 2017, in Morocco in 2013, in 2018 and again in 2021 and in Tunisia 2023. Thus, they have already done more than 10 000 km in total!  

“Due to the rallies, I get around a lot all over the world – and all that together with my wife Camille. The races are the cherry on the cake. What I like best are the preparations to make sure that the car bears up against extreme conditions and the optimisation for the respective race course: technology and operational reliability. Our aim is to enjoy the trip and not to wrench on the car all the time.”  

Sometimes Ludovic benefits from his technical experiences to come forward with a development proposal for HORSCH machines – always with a focus on feasibility.  

For Ludovic, the races are a connecting experience that brings together enthousiasts with different social backgrounds at the steering wheel of a very small car. “These are close human bonds! You share all the drudgeries, in the evening we help each other for we would never tolerate that the car of a competitor breaks down and he is left behind.”    

The start of a rally is something quite special. An adrenalin rush that Ludovic experiences anew at every start: “If the guy in front of the windscreen counts down, I really feel the stress, but the adventure that follows simply is intoxicating. When I am driving, my head gets clear.“