Over the past three decades and more, Sylvan Tractor Spares has forged an unrivalled reputation as Ireland’s premier supplier of replacement parts for tractors and other agricultural machinery.
We dropped into the company’s well-appointed base on the outskirts of Kells, County Meath to get an insight into the history, current well-being and future plans of this long-running family business.
Undisputed leaders in their chosen field of expertise, Sylvan Tractor Spares was established in 1981 and has developed into one of the premier suppliers and distributors of agricultural replacement parts in Ireland. Offering an extensive range of spare parts for all makes including – but certainly not limited to – Massey Ferguson, Case IHC, Ford, John Deere, Fiat, Zetor, JCB and Hitachi, Sylvan Spare Parts is the first port of call for anyone who needs to source a replacement part for their agricultural machinery … and who wishes to avoid paying unreasonable prices or suffering unnecessary delays.
Since its inception 33 years ago, the company has been 100% customer-orientated, striving at all times to provide customers with products – and a service – that they can depend upon. A massive stock of parts is held at the company base on the outskirts of Kells. At present, there are over 11,000 items in an ever-expanding catalogue, which includes components for agricultural tractors, vintage tractors and earthmoving machinery.
John Conaty Ltd. T/A Sylvan Tractor Spares also stocks a variety of new and used tractors, excavators and other agricultural machinery. The husband-and-wife operation has gained a stellar reputation for reliable, high-quality products with the capability, if required, of manufacturing out-of-line parts.
Since Day One, they’ve never seen a customer stuck and they have made their name by finding a solution to even the most difficult, obscure or unconventional problem / part requirement.
Initially established as Conaty Tractor Parts on the Oldcastle Road out of Kells by John Conaty, who runs the business alongside his wife Philomena Bradley, John Conaty Ltd. T/A Sylvan Tractor Spares was incorporated as a limited company in November, 2009. The fully-licensed facility is something of a landmark in North Meath and is known far and wide as the place to go if you need a part for a tractor or other agricultural machine.
All parts are carried in stock and are ready for immediate collection / dispatch and it is rare that Sylvan Tractor Spares won’t have the specific part a customer is looking for. On such occasions, the part can usually be sourced in double-quick time.
They have a massive stock of parts in stock. The range includes anything a customer could want. Conaty’s have customers from all over Ireland – mainly from the north, west and the midlands – but have done business on a regular basis with customers from all 32 counties.
The company has spread its name successfully down through the years through positive word of mouth.
So, how would one go about checking availability and / or purchasing a part? A complete list of parts is available online at www.sylvanparts.com and there is also the option of emailing them ([email protected]) or giving a quick call on 046 9241178. They will be able to say pretty much straight away whether or not the part is in stock and how much it will cost. Of course, locals can just drop into the yard in person to make enquiries.
In terms of paying for the part, the process could not be easier. All major credit and debit cards are accepted and payments can be made online, over the phone or in person. A bank transfer facility is also available. As soon as the payment has been successfully processed, the product will be shipped out immediately.
A next-day delivery service is offered, using Fastway Couriers, who leave the yard every day at 1pm and deliver nationwide.
Over the years, Conaty’s / Sylvan Tractor Spares’ reputation has spread far and wide and this has resulted in an organic growth of the business in direct response to demand. They benefit from a lot of repeat business because John looks after each and every one of his customers extremely well. He has built the business up over the years not just by providing great products but also by offering exceptional customer care. That is key – every single customer that Conaty’s have ever dealt with has been looked after and John will always make it his business to source every single part that’s needed.
Pricewise, there is of course a lot of competition out there and margins are tight, but prices have always been more than reasonable and the high level of repeat business reflects this.
Little wonder the popularity of the County Meath business has spread beyond Ireland… John Conaty Ltd. T/A Sylvan Tractor Spares have a customers from the UK, who use their service for hard-to-get parts.
As well as providing an invaluable service to the farming community, Sylvan Tractor Spares also generates gainful employment for a team of eight – a significant boost to the local economy in these testing times
Looking to the future, Sylvan Tractor Spares will not lose their focus but will continue to provide the same excellent service for which they are renowned. This means providing quality parts and an exceptional service as well as focussing on getting the online business up and running within the next nine months.
Sylvan Tractor Spares Ltd.,
Sylvan Park, Kells, County Meath.
Tel: 046 9241178 Fax: 046 9249259
Email: [email protected]
www.sylvanparts.com
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 2 No 1, May 2014
