Andrew Lacey Agri Machinery Ltd is set to celebrate 30 years in business this year, so Irish Tractor & Agri found out all about the Wexford-based company from Stephen Lacey recently.
These are busy times at Andrew Lacey Agri Machinery Ltd and the Lacey family intend to keep things that way as they get set to mark an even three decades in business in 2020.
Based in The Harrow, Ferns, Co Wexford, the company has grown into a leader when it comes to the supply of agri machinery around the south east.
Having worked in the agricultural machinery industry since 1974, Andrew Lacey took the decision to set-up his own business venture in 1990 and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today the company specialises in new and quality second-hand agricultural machinery, with an emphasis on balers, sprayers, grass and cultivation equipment.
Andrew Lacey Agri Machinery Ltd officially became a McHale Dealership a little over four years ago and continues to offer a comprehensive after sales service on all of their machines, while also stocking a wide range of spare parts for Sprayers, Balers, Rollers, Cultivation and Grass machinery.
Stephen Lacey, Andrew’s son, is part of the second generation that today runs the company and was good enough to take the time to tell Irish Tractor & Agri all about the business.
“We’re established since 1990 and my father would have started off by bringing in machines from England,” he explained.
“He took on a couple of dealerships down through the years and right now we’re very busy. I’d say last year was the busiest since the company started.
Operating with four full-time staff, Andrew Lacey Agri Machinery Ltd have gained significant knowledge in the agricultural machinery industry over the years and are established agents for many well-known machinery manufacturers.
It was at the National Ploughing Championships in 2015 that the company was appointed as the new McHale dealership for the Wexford region.
The appointment of Andrew Lacey Agricultural Machinery Ltd came as a major boost, introducing a new brand to their already extensive range of dealerships for the region.
Dealerships include Berthoud, Malone, NRH and Wilson Engineering and they are also the main importer of the full range of NRH cultivation equipment.
A wide range of new and quality second hand machinery is also on offer from their base in The Harrow, with constantly changing stock.
It’s a far cry from when Andrew Lacey first took the decision to go out on his own with his own business venture in 1990, having worked as a mechanic in Ferns.
The business may have been slow getting off the ground but managed to grow year on year and, after completing his degree at Carlow IT, Stephen would come on board his father’s company.
“My father grew up in this industry and served as a mechanic for a long time,” Stephen explained.
“We have two excellent mechanics here as well, Johnny Fitzgerald and Michael Sunderland, that have been with us a long time so there’s no shortage of experience in our garage.
Andrew Lacey Agri Machinery Ltd’s service garage contains specialized equipment for the maintenance and repair of a wide range of agricultural machinery.
They also provide a nationwide after sales service and nationwide delivery, with an expertise in balers sprayers, grass and cultivation equipment.
The servicing and maintenance of this type of machinery is the company’s main focus.
In more recent years, the business has invested in a purpose built facility in The Harrow that acts as a showroom and is also utilized for the storage of new and recent machinery, ensuring such equipment is not exposed to the elements and it is kept in pristine condition.
All of the staff are fully trained and committed to the on-going and ultimate success of Andrew Lacey Agricultural Machinery Ltd, where customer satisfaction with the machinery they supply and the services they provide are of paramount importance in attracting new clients and retaining their existing ones.
These past 12 months have been right up there with the busiest yet for the company, according to Stephen.
“I would say that last year was our busiest year since we started the company,” he beamed.
“Hopefully it stays that way now in 2020 but you just never know what’s around the corner, especially in this line of work.”
There’s certainly cause to be optimistic when you consider the recent trend in business for Andrew Lacey Agricultural Machinery Ltd.
So what has been the secret to success down through the years?
For Stephen, providing an excellent service and equally excellent machines goes a long way in this line of work.
“I think it’s down to the service and good quality product. Balers are our main thing and the McHale Fusion are very popular for us here at the moment,” he said.
“The Malone is a very good seller and the NRH 6.3 Ring Roller would be up there for us too at the moment.
“The Wilson carriers have become ever more popular around the country and sales are on the increase with these machines as well.”
The top machines Andrew Lacey Agricultural Machinery Ltd has on offer are showcased in the company’s purpose built facility which acts a showroom and is also utilized for the storage of new and recent machinery, ensuring such equipment is not exposed to the elements and is kept in pristine condition.
Be sure and drop by if you’re close to The Harrow in Ferns, Co Wexford to check out the superb facility which has been erected by the Laceys.
As for his hopes for the company for the year ahead, Stephen is keen for things to remain on an upward curve.
“We’ll be hoping for more of the same (in 2020). We just bought a lorry off Sam Wrigley there, so hopefully business will continue to grow and the machines keep flying out the gates,” he concluded.
Andrew Lacey Agri Machinery
The Harrow,
Ferns,
Co Wexford
Tel: 053 936 6423
Mob: 087 259 4864
E-mail: [email protected]
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 8 No 2, Summer 2020
