Launched just over a decade ago, Martin Supplies has quickly established itself as one of the island’s premier agricultural machinery dealers. This has been achieved by sourcing a wide range of high-quality equipment at the best possible price as well as providing outstanding levels of backup service. We dropped into the well-stocked showroom on Nutts Corner and caught up with proprietor Richard Martin to find out more about this exceptional, progressive operation.
There are three boxes that need to be ticked when a farmer or contractor is investing in new machinery – Price, Quality and Service. Sometimes, a balancing act is required as one has to be sacrificed at the expense of another. However, Martin Supplies in County Antrim is extremely strong on all three fronts and this is why the business has rapidly evolved into one of the island’s busiest agri machinery suppliers.
Boasting a wide range of carefully-selected, market-leading main dealerships, Martin Supplies’ business model is based around high-volume turnaround, with modest mark-ups, which means the customer gets a deal that is very easy on his wallet.
The fact that founder / proprietor Richard Martin invests long hours into the business allows customers to also benefit from remarkably high levels of customer service. It’s a win-win situation for all parties and future growth seems inevitable for one of Ireland’s most-exciting agri machinery and plant equipment dealerships.
Reflecting on the genesis of the business, Richard notes: “Martin Supplies was established twelve years ago. It was originally a tool business and then we diversified into sourcing machinery. I started off with Hudson Trailers and then started selling Michael Stewart Pressure Washers and we built it up gradually from there.”
Martin Supplies has been a main dealer for Kane Trailers since 2011 and has been an agent for NC Engineering (industrial and agricultural equipment) since 2008. Both makes are sold all over the island of Ireland as well as into mainland UK due to both the extremely competitive pricing and the excellent service levels provided.
“I take a very low margin because I have such a large turnover of machinery,” Richard confirms. “We’re one of the fastest-growing machinery dealerships in Northern Ireland and we continue to grow all the time. We pride ourselves on really looking after our customers. Every customer we deal with – whether he is spending £250 or £50,000 – is treated the same and gets the same amount of my time.”
As well as attention to detail and customer care, Richard’s vast knowledge of the machinery and his work ethic are other key strengths of the business. Coming from an agricultural background himself, he understands implicitly what farmers / contractors want from each piece of machinery and also the challenges they are facing. “I was a dairy farmer myself and I know how they are struggling, so I pride myself on giving them a very good deal. I go as easy as I possibly can on all my customers. We’re here to provide a service.”
The long hours that Richard invests into the business contribute further to the uncanny efficiency of Martin Supplies. On a typical week, he works from 7am until 10pm six days a week. Literally a hands-on proprietor, he points out: “There’s nothing I’m afraid to turn my hand to.”
As for the long-term goal of the business, Richard hopes to nurture an enduring enterprise that can be passed down through the generations: “It’s a family-run business and I’m growing it for my children so that I can give them a future. My daughter is 18 at the moment and my son is 16; my ambition is to pass the business on to them. Of course it’s hard work and long hours are going into it but it’s rewarding in the sense that I know I’m helping build a future for my children.”
Currently generating gainful employment for a team of five, Martin Supplies is also (in addition to the aforementioned manufacturers) a main dealer for Krone mowers, tedders, rakes wagons and balers; Amazone spreaders, sprayers and tillage equipment; and Quicke loaders. Other dealerships held include Fleming Agri Products, Wylie Engineering, Malone Engineering, Conor Engineering, Triolet Diet Feeders, Sealey Tools & Equipment, Walter Watson Engineeering and they are a distributor of Texaco oils through WR Kennedy in Ballymena.
A keen delivery service is provided while, as well as new machinery, a large stock of second-hand equipment is carried at all times and a state-of-the-art workshop – manned by experienced technicians using the latest diagnostic equipment and tools – offers unrivalled servicing and repair solutions.
“We have steel fabricators to look after repairs and also have a paint shop to get them blasted and painted so that everything leaving here is in good nick,” Richard adds.
Martin Supplies has come a long way in the first dozen years of its existence and the founder is justifiably confident that continued growth is on the cards: “We’ll expand the business further and keep it growing,” he concludes. “We’ll keep supplying the best machinery and equipment at the best prices and with a strong back-up service. We have a rep covering the Republic of Ireland and we feel that there is more potential there for growth at the moment due to the weak sterling, which makes our deals even better for customers south of the border.”
Martin Supplies,
50 Nutts Corner,
Crumlin,
County Antrim,
BT29 4SQ.
Tel: 028 90 825203
Mobile: 07733 128 346
Email: [email protected]
Web: martinsupplies.co.uk
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 5 No 3, April/May 2017
