The opening of a new Fendt-dedicated depot in Lisburn by machinery dealership John McElderry (M&T) Ltd has seen the brand go from strength to strength in Northern Ireland and Co. Donegal in the last two years.
While McElderry’s have been Fendt dealers since 2003, and have also held the Massey Ferguson franchise since 1948, the decision to open the Lisburn outlet in 2017 has boosted Fendt’s presence in the region no end. The depot, which is located in Blaris Industrial Estate, complements McElderry’s long-established base in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim which is a main dealer for Massey Ferguson in counties Antrim, Derry and Down.
The decision to expand the Fendt territory was driven by the ever-increasing demand for Fendt tractors and farm machinery to all parts of the province.
“We had been providing sales and back-up for Fendt products in Derry, Antrim and Donegal from our existing premises in Ballymoney,” explains McElderry’s Fendt sales manager Chris Glass.
“The move to Lisburn has allowed us to extend these services to all parts of Northern Ireland and to Co. Donegal. Our central location within the province makes us more accessible than ever. AGCO, which is the parent company of Fendt and Massey Ferguson, wanted brand separation and it has worked out very well for us I’m delighted to say.
“Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit, we’ve had a great year, selling 43 new Fendt units. I look after the Fendt sales and Kevin Gribben is our Massey sales manager.”
Chris, who was named Fendt Sales Manager of the Year for the UK and Ireland in 2011, puts the German brand’s growing popularity down to its great range of tractors and machinery, premium technology and ability to achieve maximum efficiency and performance.
“With today’s modern farmer and agri contractor always looking to maximise efficiency, we believe strongly that the highly advanced and versatile Fendt range represents the ideal partner,” he says.
“Fendt have always been ahead of the competition when it comes to technology. We have one long-standing customer who drives a range of tractors who reckons they are 10 years ahead of the rest. Many farmers and contractors choose Fendt for their exceptional stepless transmission and GPS systems.”
The Fendt 500 and 700 series tick a lot of boxes for McElderry’s customers.
“The 240hp 724 is our best-selling tractor. It’s a firm favourite with contractors, tillage farmers and businessmen who have an interest in farming. The 420hp 942 is the largest tractor in the Fendt range and we were delighted to sell the first one of these in Ireland last September.” Chris continues.
“Our Massey Ferguson customers usually go for the 130hp model with front loader or the 200hp 7718 which is a great all-round tractor suited to dairy farmers, beef farmers and contractors. You are nothing without aftersales and back-up, and this is one of the reasons why we attract a large amount of repeat business.”
McElderry’s also represents the Lemken, Vicon, NC, Kane and McCauley brands. In addition, it exports a range of quality used tractors to customers in Canada, Holland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. As one of the largest dealers in farm parts, tractor parts and accessories in the UK and Ireland, the company ships to customers worldwide through its website www.farmingparts.com. Its commitment to the customer and history in the agricultural business ensures all clients are 100% satisfied with this award-winning service.
The McElderry name has been associated with agriculture since 1850. However, it was current managing director John McElderry’s grandfather, JK McElderry, who really put the family business on the map. He set up a business in Linenhall Street, Ballymoney which sold seeds, fertilisers, implements and hardware as well as spare parts for machinery. He also had a great interest in breeding Clydesdale heavy horses and indeed exported them to Scotland the US. JK also ran a large dairy with a milking herd of Ayreshire cows.
With the introduction of tractors and, more importantly, the three-point linkage, agriculture took a giant leap forward and JK was responsible for selling the first tractor in north Antrim in the 1940s. In 1947, John McElderry Motors & Tractors was formed, and a garage was set up in John Street, Ballymoney to sell and service Massey Ferguson tractors and Austin cars.
In 1983, the two companies, John McElderry Ltd and John McElderry (M&T) Ltd relocated to its current premises in Market Street, Ballymoney. The dealership is now a fifth-generation family business with John’s son, Robbie, working there too. The company employs 26 staff who are dedicated to providing a top-class customer service.
With well over €1 million worth of parts on its shelves at all times and a great selection of new and used tractors and farm machinery, JK McElderry’s motto “everything for the farmer” still holds good today.
John McElderry (M&T) Ltd
24-26 Market St,
Ballymoney BT53 6EB.
Telephone: +44 (0)28 2766 3324 / +44 (0)78 4109 3558
Web: www.farmingparts.com
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 8 No 1, February/March 2020
