When it comes to the sale of combine harvesters in Ireland, there is one name that leads the way and that is Carlow based F Jenkinson Ltd.
For generations dating back to the early 1900s, the Jenkinson family has been involved in the sales and repair of machinery. Forty years ago this year, Frank Jenkinson established the current branch of the business along with his brothers Henry, Tom and Fred and their aim was to supply the farming community with top quality machinery at a competitive price.
From their homestead in Bagenalstown, where they are still headquartered to this day, F Jenkinson Ltd has become one of the leaders of machinery sales in Ireland.
The Jenkinson name may be synonymous with combine sales, but they also sell a wide range of machinery and are the main dealers in Ireland for the renowned Bateman sprayers.
For this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we profile the company and speak to Frank about the success that they have achieved over the last 40 years.
“We hail from a farming background, but as far back as my grandfather in the early 1900’s there has always been a garage around the place,” said Frank.
“I first set up the business in the early seventies and we became a limited company in 1982. We stock a wide range of used farm tractors for sale, farm equipment and farm machinery such as combine harvesters, balers and loaders.
“Combine sales were our main source of income around then. We brought a lot in from the U.K to sell on and through word of mouth the business started to expand.
“There was a big push on for combines during the eighties and in 1985 alone, we sold 72 which was our best year ever. These days, there are not as many farmers combining themselves and it is left to a few contractors to do it, so the market is much smaller.”
Frank admitted that tractor sales were an area that they never pushed too much and when the sales of combines started to dwindle, they turned to sprayers.
“The Bateman sprayer is the best on the market and there are two different models that are very popular, the RB26 and RB35. My son Thomas who is also involved in the business has spent time over in their plant looking at the sprayers and we are delighted with the machinery that we are selling.
“They have proven to be very popular and our customer has certainly grown. We would now have customers from Cork to Donegal and we would also have a lot of repeat custom. Our aim is to ensure that the customers are happy and once we give them the service that they demand, then they will be happy.”
Frank revealed that given the cost of machinery these days, they rely mostly on the second hand market to do business, which suits the customer.
“Around 80% of our sales would be through the second hand trade, we would buy in machinery, do any service and repair work necessary and ensure that it is in perfect working order before selling it on.”
This is very much a family run business and with Frank’s wife Joan looking after the administration side of their affairs, customers can be guaranteed to be treated with the respect and courtesy they deserve.
F Jenkinson Ltd covers the full range of farm machinery including the likes of combine harvesters, sprayers, balers, cultivation equipment, excavators, loaders, mowers & gators and tractors. Their sales doesn’t just cover the 32 counties, but they can also arrange shipping to places in mainland Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.
“Transport, shipping and documentation for delivery in Europe as well as Asia, Australia and New Zealand can be arranged as required. We have extensive experience of shipping used farm machinery throughout the world.
“Apart from the sales and service, we stock a wide range of parts for all farm machinery and we would endeavour to get the parts to the customer as quickly as possible.”
Farming is generally quieter during the winter months, but Frank stated that does not mean they are any quieter as during this period, servicing is the main focus.
“During these few months, we would be doing a lot of servicing and repair work for customers who would bring their machinery to us when things are quiet for them. This will keep us busy until Spring time.”
Frank insists that despite the business have a wide ranging reputation in farm machinery sales, they have never grown ‘too big’ as he put it himself.
“Our focus is on farm machinery and that has always been the way for us. We never got into selling plant machinery and with the way the building trade collapsed during the recession, we are grateful that we didn’t do so.
“We have no plans to expand the business any further and are happy with the workload that we have. We would always welcome new customers, but once we keep the customer base that we have happy, then we will be happy also.”
F. Jenkinson Limited
Ballywilliamroe,
Bagenalstown,
Co. Carlow,
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)5997 27192
+353 (0)5997 27192
Fax: +353 (0)5997 27362
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fjenkinson.ie
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 3 No 1, January/February 2015
