Alan Douglas Machinery Ltd on the Kildare-Meath border in Johnstownbridge is celebrating 35 years in business and 15 years as a Claas dealer.
Providing the best service and products from Claas and other leading machinery brands, Alan Douglas Machinery has a great name across the midlands and beyond. From its modern premises just off the M4 Motorway, the dealership is within easy reach of customers in Kildare and the surrounding counties of Meath, Westmeath and Offaly. Experience over three-and-a-half decades has led to the firm providing a wide range of agricultural products to suit the livestock, agri contracting and equine sectors.
“We’re located two miles south of Johnstownbridge on the Edenderry Road. Johnstownbridge is in Co. Kildare, but our postal address is Enfield, Co. Meath,” managing director Alan Douglas explains.
“Our central location is one of our big selling points and we have built up a large and loyal customer-base over the years. We pride ourselves on our large selection of top-quality products, competitive prices and exceptional sales and aftersales service. The customer is always king as far as we’re concerned.”
Alan Douglas Machinery is synonymous with Claas tractors and grass machinery. Its position as one of the foremost Claas dealers in the country was underlined two years ago when it received a Tractor Sales Performance Award from Claas.
“The award was for top sales in the UK and Ireland for a single depot. We were delighted to be presented with it at the Agritechnica Show in Hanover, Germany,” recalls Alan, who had been a Renault tractor dealer before they became part of the Claas group in 2004.
Claas have emerged as one of the most popular tractor brands in Ireland in recent years and at Alan Douglas Machinery, the ARION 400 range outsells everything else. The ARION 400 does exactly what you want it do – no more and definitely no less. The benefits for the customer include: FPT 4-cylinder turbocharged engineers developing max. 90-140hp in accordance with ECE R 120; QUADRISHIFT or HEXASHIFT transmission with powershift unit; three versions – Standard, CIS and CIS+; multifunction control lever operates transmission, rear linkage, engine speed and two spool valves.
“The ARION 400 is a top seller. It suits a lot of farmers, while its panoramic cab makes it ideal for loader work. Claas are a very reliable tractor with a great back-up service. If there are any issues with anything, it will be sorted straight away. They are also a very comfortable machine with a nice layout inside the cab,” Alan adds.
The other tractors in the Claas range are XERION 5000-4000, AXION 960-920, AXION 870-800, ARION 660-510, ARION 460-410, ATOS 350-220, ELIOS 240-210 and NEXOS 250-210. The 185hp ARION 650 model is a good seller too, while there has been a lot of interest in the new 205hp ARION 660, which was launched last year.
Now in its fourth generation, Claas’ latest ARION 600 series boasts more power. Claas have also updated other key aspects of the venerable ARION range, including new front axles, cleaner engines, a new cab frame option and the development of a new intermediate control specification level.
Alan Douglas Machinery is the main Irish distributor for Zocon grassland harrows and also holds the franchises for Hi-Spec, Major, NC Engineering, Rauch, Bomford and Agrimaster among others. Zocon is a Dutch branch which manufactures rubber scrapers and sweepers and well as harrows.
Since its inception in 1988, Hi-Spec has established a solid reputation as a manufacturer and supplier of high-quality slurry handling equipment and vertical feeders. Major are also specialists in slurry equipment along with grass mowers, flails and ground-care machinery. NC Engineering’s agricultural range includes slurry pumps, mixers, separators, tankers, spreaders, sweepers, grabs, cutters and trailers.
Rauch are renowned for their fertiliser and sowing technology, while Bomford have a range of arm mowers, flail mowers and rotary toppers with a vast choice in both specification and budget. Agrimaster are specialists in flail toppers and hedge cutting equipment.
Not only does Alan Douglas Machinery stock a huge range of new and used tractors (of all makes) and farm machinery, it also provides great savings on servicing and parts. As a qualified mechanic himself, Alan understands the importance of a top-class back-up service. Highly-skilled technicians are employed in his workshop which features all the latest diagnostic equipment.
In addition, the dealership has three fully-equipped support vehicles for customers’ peace of mind. In total, there are 11 staff employed in the garage, behind the counter, in the office and in sales, with Ger Seery having a wealth of experience in sales and enjoying an excellent relationship with customers.
Alan concludes by thanking all of his customers for their continued support. Opening hours are from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and from 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
Here’s to the next 35 years of this successful dealership and service specialist!
Alan Douglas Machinery Ltd
Johnstownbridge,
Enfield,
Co. Meath.
Telephone: 046 9541402
Fax: 046 9549927
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.alandouglasmachinery.com
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 7 No 3, June/July 2019
