Ireland’s premier trailer manufacturer, Broughan Engineering Ltd, continues to go from strength to strength after 25 years in business.
Synonymous with quality, the Tullow, Co. Carlow based company designs, engineers and manufactures a wide range of high quality, bespoke agricultural trailers.
Its newest innovation is the dual-purpose Nurse Tank. This latest offering from Broughan not only helps you save time but also enables you to save money on the farm as the design is capable of being either a silage or nurse tank trailer.
Available in both tandem and tri-axle versions, other key specifications include two fill points, a sealed back door and multiple empty points. A range of sizes and extras are also available.
The reaction to the new Nurse Tank has been extremely positive, especially in the UK where there has been a big demand for it. Cheshire Farm Machinery’s customer feedback stated, “It’s a ‘no brainer’ option as we can have two individual silage / nurse tanks for less than the cost of one purpose built. Not only can they be set up faster, but we can clean and empty them in seconds.”
From humble beginnings, Broughan Engineering is now manufacturing 14 trailers per week for customers in Ireland, the UK and Denmark – where Jacob from Western Vogne has recently been appointed a new dealer. A number of trailers, including dump, grain and silage are already on order and in the production pipeline to cater for this new market. Up until now, sales have been split evenly between the Irish and UK markets.
“We’ve come a long way since making our first trailer in 1999. My father Paddy was already in the engineering business, so I grew up with it in the blood,” says Patrick Broughan, who runs Broughan Engineering with his nephew Adam along with the support of their family, including Patrick’s father Paddy and sister Carole and 32 more highly-skilled and professional staff.
“Initially we decided to make a dumper and a low loader, and we were then approached by a local agri contractor to make a silage trailer. That’s how it all started, and it took off from there.
“Our growth can be attributed to our top-quality range of products, excellent staff and dealers who handle sales in a very efficient manner and guarantee complete customer satisfaction. We’re currently supplying 50% of our products to Irish customers and the other 50% to customers in the UK. We’ve just entered the Danish market and are excited about prospects in Australia as well.
“We also enjoy a great relationship with our suppliers who ensure that only the very best materials go into making a Broughan trailer.”
Broughan Engineering’s range of high-quality grain, silage, root crop, bale, flat, cattle, dump trailers and low loaders speak for themselves. The range of grain, silage and root crop trailers are available from 16 tonne twin axle to 26 tonne tri-axle with 10 stud commercial axles on spring suspension. The cattle trailers are built in all sizes from 20ft twin axle to 36ft tri-axle. These come standard with aluminium sides and aluminium chequer plate floor and ramp. A fully galvanised slurry tank and dividing gate, side markings and crash bars with full LED lights and beacons all come as standard.
The heavy-duty bale trailers are built in all sizes. They come standard with steel chequer plate floor and 10 stud commercial axles with commercial spring suspension.
“The trend is towards bigger trailers with bigger tyres,” explains Patrick.
“Stock, bale, grain and dump trailers are all getting bigger. They’ve typically gone from 18ft, 20ft and 22ft twin axle to 24ft, 26ft and 28ft tri-axle. It’s down to bigger tractors and the need for greater capacity. That extra 2ft or 4ft can make a big difference.
“Extendable bale trailers, which have a 4ft extension on the back are very popular. These trailers come in a 21ft6 single axle up to a 36ft tri axle.”
“We’re always innovating. When you’re on the workshop floor all day like I am, you see everything and that’s where I get ideas from.”
Today’s consumer requirements vary greatly, often requiring a bespoke design approach to suit each customer, which is a highly valued attribute of the family business. The company motto, ‘where quality comes first’, shines through superior workmanship in every aspect of the finished product.
Trailers can be manufactured to specific customer requirements to include optional extras such as air brakes, roll over / easy cover, grain chute, beacons and extra lights if required. Chrome rams, which are long-lasting and rust-free, are supplied as standard on all Broughan trailers. With its combination of high hardness, strength and toughness, Hardox steel has proven itself as the abrasion-resistant steel of choice for extending the service life of equipment, proven by the durability and reliability of Broughan dump trailers.
Hardox steel can act as a load-carrying part in many applications due to its unique combination of hardness and toughness. With Hardox wear plate, Broughan dump trailers have the added benefits of wear-resistance, strong and lightweight, all at the same time.
Even though standard trailers are still available, more and more customers are looking for a customised option which Broughan Engineering can provide.
“Most of the trailers are bespoke nowadays. It would be lovely if everyone wanted the same trailer but that’s not how it works! One of the many reasons for this is due to customers liking to choose their own tyres, which have got bigger over the years. Everything about the trailer must be customised to suit the contractor or farmer so that he can do the best and fastest job with it. Versatility is a big thing,” Patrick adds.
Broughan Engineering is continually investing in upgrading and sourcing new equipment to improve the manufacturing quality and production of trailers. At its 62,000ft2 facility, there is a well organised production line and individual manufacturing bays with overhead gantries and state-of-the-art engineering equipment to manufacture, sandblast, spray and then assemble the finished product.
“We’re always looking to grow and expand but it’s difficult to do that at the moment because of a severe shortage of skilled labour. Despite the advances in technology, a lot of manual skill is still needed to make a trailer.
“Our main products have served us well. No other company with give you the same level of service and manufacturing quality as we provide.”
Patrick is hoping the rest of 2024 will bring better weather for farmers.
“Last year was one of the wettest on record and the signs aren’t good for this year either but we live in hope. Once farmers get going, they’ll keep going,” concludes the affable company director who would like to take this opportunity to thank his customers, dealers, suppliers and staff for their continued support.
Here’s to the next 25 years of this Co. Carlow success story!
Broughan Engineering Ltd,
Coppenagh,
Tullow,
Co. Carlow.
Telephone: 059 9163697
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.broughanengineeringltd.com
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 12 No 2, July/August 2024
