Now operating from three different depots, Meath Farm Machinery Ltd is the main John Deere dealer for counties Meath, Dublin, Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, North Kildare, Leitrim, Longford, Westmeath and parts of Sligo. Irish Tractor Agri & Plant caught up with its Managing Director Ian Timmons recently to hear more about the business and the opening of its new premises in Dundalk at the start of the year.
This year marks 45 years since Meath Farm Machinery Ltd’s inception and business has been flourishing for the John Deere dealer as of late.
Headquartered in Kilberry Cross, Navan, Co Meath, the company also has depots in both Cavan and Dundalk and operates with 50 direct staff between the three locations.
The business was founded by Ian’s father, Peter Timmons in 1979. In 2017, Ian took over the role as Managing Director from Peter. Having first started out in his father’s company in 1989, through hard work and determination he has helped build the business along-side his father. Since taking over in 2017, the business has grown from strength to strength. Peter Timmons continues to be involved in the day to day running of the business and remains a key figure.
Irish Tractor Agri & Plant touched base with Ian to find out about the current state of business for this family-run company which continues to supply a first-rate professional leading service to a very large customer base.
“We’re having a great run with tractors there at the moment,” the MD outlined.
“We’re very happy at the level of new tractors being sold. We feel we’re ahead of last year, but it all depends on how the market is performing with the other brands.
“Market share data reports can sometimes be a little behind due to legal legislation and GDPR, therefore it can be difficult at times to know exactly where we stand. But I think we’re doing very well for the times that we’re in.”
Of course, 2024 started in a hugely exciting fashion for Meath Farm Machinery Ltd with the official opening of its new Dundalk depot.
Situated along the Marlbog Road in Haynestown, Dundalk, Co Louth (A91 Y510), the new branch had its Open Day on January 12th + 13th and the customers have been continually passing through its doors ever since.
“It has been quite busy. The transition from us moving in there has been quite smooth and it’s been well received by customers,” said Ian.
“For the Open Day, we had all our manufacturers there, with John Deere, of course, being the main representative. Kramer, Farmec, HE-VA/Alpego, Tyrone Trailers, Kuhn, Smyth Trailers were all there. We had a lot of customers turn up on the day. It was great to see the support.”
In the build up to the official opening at the Dundalk depot, the team at Meath Farm Machinery had put in a huge effort behind the scenes to have the place ready to go and had given it a whole new look.
“We have 50 staff now between the three locations,” he said. “We are always looking to take on talented staff and as John Deere continue to drive forward with technology and Precision Ag more positions will become available in the dealership.”
As the main John Deere dealer for several counties across North Leinster, Meath Farm Machinery offers its customers an extensive range of new and used machinery.
Across its three bases, the company sells tractors from 30 to 600 horsepower, Combine Harvesters, Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters, Mowers, Balers, Lawnmowers, and various other grounds care equipment. It also sells Kramer Loaders and Telehandlers, ploughs, Harrows, Sprayers, Slurry Tanks, trailers and much more.
So, what’s the most popular item passing in and out of Meath Farm Machinery’s gates at the moment?
“We get asked that question a lot, it varies per depot,” explained Ian.
“In Cavan, the 6120M would be very popular along with the 6155M. In Navan, 6155Ms, the 6R175 and the 6R250’s are very popular this year. We have a lot of 6R250s sold and we’re finding that, with the bigger tractors, you could be trading in two tractors for one. That’s the way it’s going and everything’s getting bigger with more technology on it to do more work with less machinery. Labour shortage is an ongoing issue with customers which helps to drive this buying pattern.
“Dundalk would be much the same as Kilberry (Navan premises) with the 6155Ms and the large frame 6R175 would be the most popular tractors we’re selling there.”
‘MFM’ also has a fully equipped service department and extensive parts department. With an excess of 2 million worth of parts, the team will never see a customer stuck for what they need. Their workshops are installed with the latest equipment. They have the latest diagnostic equipment and mobile technology which assists in pinpointing your machines problem both in the workshops and out in the field.
So, all of that considered, the burning question is what has been the secret behind the family-run company’s success to date?
How has a small start up grown into what is now a thriving farm machinery firm operating across three different outlets?
“We’ve built the business on service and we find sales follows that,” stated Ian.
“We have a very good name for service in the country and our customers recognise this. We do our best to get people going and not see them stuck and the sales follow that, so we’ve always put a lot of emphasis on service and aftermarket support. We owe much of our success to our staff, they are driven, passionate people who will go the extra mile to support our customers.’’
Looking at the months ahead for the business, Ian is confident that the upward trajectory can continue and, hopefully, see further growth for MFM coincide with it as a result.
“We hope to grow and expand. We’re looking for Sales personnel, Precision Ag Specialists and Service Technicians, that’s our priority at the minute. We want to get good people into the key positions we need them in and drive the business forward,” he concluded.
Meath Farm Machinery Ltd Navan
Kilberry Cross,
Navan,
Co. Meath,
C15 X678
+353 (0)46 9023946
+353 (0)46 9023185
Email: [email protected]
Web: meathfarmmachinery.com
Meath Farm Machinery Ltd Cavan
Dublin Road,
Poles,
Co. Cavan,
H12 C2R7
+353 (0) 49 4323033
+353 (0) 49 4323625
Meath Farm Machinery Ltd Dundalk
Marlbog Rd,
Haynestown,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth,
A91 Y510
+353 (0) 42 9321157
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 12 No 2, July/August 2024
