They say the ability to move with the times and embrace change are reasons why some companies are so successful and if Lyons & Burton are anything to go by, then that statement is certainly true.
It’s worth noting that Lyons and Burton was founded in 1977 by three brothers – Alan, Percy, and Ernest Lyons – along with Derek Burton. It was appointed as a Sperry New Holland dealer in Kilcock to sell its range of combine harvesters, forage harvesters, square balers, round balers, mowers and rakes.
In the heady days of 1978, it notched up sales of 23 combines, 66 balers and seven self-propelled forage harvesters.
Nineteen-seventy-nine was its first connection with Fiat tractors. Between 1979 and 1988, the dealership sold in excess of 160 tractors.
In 1988 Lyons & Burton was appointed as a John Deere dealer. In 2013, it parted company with John Deere and took on the New Holland franchise. The business now has 42 years of experience (in the farm machinery and tractor industry) under its belt.
The company has always focused on doing the right thing for the business and the acquisition of the New Holland dealership six years ago has resulted in the Kildare based company expanding its customer base considerably.
Last year, they grew their catchment area to cover counties Meath and Cavan, while they earned a lot of publicity for supply a combine harvester – a New Holland TC4.90 – to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
After gaining 50 years of experience in the machinery industry, Percy Lyons then transferred control to his son, Donald. A family business through and through, the dealer principal role has since been handed over to Donald’s cousin, Trevor Lyons. The firm currently employs 11 staff.
This year, Lyons & Burton have made the next step in their expansion with the opening of a new premises in Co Carlow which began trading in early June.
Depot manager Damien Finn told us that already they built strong relationships with customers.
“Our reputation precedes us, and we are known for providing quality machinery to our customers, many of who are repeat customers,” said Damien.
The new branch provides sales, service and spare parts supplies to new and existing New Holland customers for its expanded territory which includes Wexford, East Laois, Kildare and Carlow. The new dealership branch location is in the centre of its new area.
Situated, in Graiguecullen on the Carlow/Laois border, the premise also has a fully equipped workshop where service and maintenance work will be carried out by the team of technicians.
“Carlow was chosen to cover the south east of the country and it allows us to grow our customer base. The New Holland brand is one of the most progressive in the country and our association with them is key to the success of the business.”
New Holland agricultural products include tractors, combine harvesters, balers, forage harvesters, grass equipment, seeding equipment, hobby tractors, utility vehicles and implements.
“We stock a wide range of machinery for the agricultural industry, while our parts department has a comprehensive selection available to our customers. If there is something that they want and we don’t have, then we will have it for them by the next morning.”
Damien added that they will work closely with the Kilcock branch in order to ensure customer satisfaction, especially when building the business in the south east region.
“We will work hand in hand with Kilcock. There is a good team of people in place here in Graiguecullen and there is great experience in the branch. The aim is to provide the best service possible to our customers and make sure they are happy with what we provide. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising for us.”
The decision to go with the New Holland brand has certainly paid dividends as it has proven to be best suited to Lyons & Burton. The energetic team display a passion for the products that they are selling. And they believe this will give their customers the best quality and value for their money.
“We are all excited about the future here and we genuinely believe that the Carlow branch will be very successful through time. We know we have a lot of work to do here, but there is no doubt in my mind that the team in place are the right group to get that work done.”
Lyons & Burton have entered a new era and it is one that is set to bring this family run business into the future, while continuing to service the needs of more generations of farmers.
Lyons & Burton
Unit 13, Barrowside Retail Park,
Sleaty Road,
Graiguecullen,
Carlow Town,
R93 N672.
Phone: 059 9137421
Lyons & Burton,
The Mount,
Clane Road,
Kilcock,
Kildare,
W23 P580.
Phone: 01 6287444
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 7 No 5, September/October 2019
