Eardly Agricultural Services Ltd is recognised as a leading company in the south east for the sales and repairs of all types of agricultural machinery and parts. Irish Tractor Agri & Plant spoke with Michael Eardly to learn more about the most popular machines his company is selling right now, as well as the overall state of business these days.
Established 16 years now, Eardly Agricultural Services Ltd is Kilkenny’s leading farm machinery specialists, always aiming to deliver its customers the best brands and service at the most competitive prices.
The company has been the main dealer for Deutz-Fahr in both Kilkenny and Carlow since October 2018 and has amassed a reputation for providing those that come through its doors with the best advice when purchasing a new machine.
Operating out of 34 Hebron Industrial Estate along the Hebron Road, Eardly Agricultural Services stands today as the main dealers in Co Kilkenny for Deutz-Fahr tractors and combines, Krone grass machinery, Amazone tillage equipment as well as Tanco, Bomford, (NC Engineering slurry and plant equipment) Quicke, Gregoire Besson, Condell Zero Grazers, APV and Topcon Guidance Systems.
Irish Tractor Agri & Plant caught up with Michael Eardly to discuss the ins and outs of the business, the rapid rise of its online store in recent times and hopes heading into next year.
“There’s 11 staff here with us right now and Deutz-Fahr is a big one for us these days, then you’ve Krone and Amazone, Schaffer loaders and NC equipment as well,” he outlined.
“Agrispread is one of the top three or four for us now too and we’re doing a lot with Topcon GPS systems as well.
“Our most popular machine at the moment is the Amazone GPS-Controlled Fertiliser spreader. We’re doing a good few of them a year.
“The Krone mower is still one of our most popular machines here as well.”
The Eardly name has long been associated with the sales and repairs of all types of agricultural machinery in Kilkenny and across its borders.
Michael is a qualified mechanic and spent years working in Kilkenny before taking the decision to go out on his own in 2007.
Eardly Agricultural Service Ltd would become a member of the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) and today business is going well, according to the Managing Director.
“Business is not too bad at the moment. Look at, it’s quieter than last year and there’s no point in saying any different, finance interest rates are gone up,” he stated.
“We’d a great year last year in 2022 and you can say even into 2023.
“You had a good bit of high-end tillage gear like six-metre drills and that kind of stuff as well.”
Of course, recent years brought about unprecedented times as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nationwide lockdowns in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, naturally, saw business throughout Ireland impacted.
However, Michael revealed that there was something positive to come out of those tough times for Eardly Agricultural Service Ltd.
“It improved things in a way for us. We went into online with it and you can go into our website now which you can purchase off,” he explained.
“All our machines and stuff are on it. We were dabbling with it but Covid pushed our hand with that to get it up and running.
“We can’t complain at all because we have an awful lot of spare parts moving from the website. It took us about a year-and-a-half to get it up and running properly and it’s really moving now for us.
“We do a lot of merchandise and stuff like that on it as well.”
So, the burning question is, what has been the secret behind the company’s success to date?
How has a small start-up developed into what is now a thriving sales and repairs company for all types of agricultural machinery and parts.
“Our back up on after sales services is our key priority still,” Michael pointed out.
“With the GPS-Controlled machines for example, that’s all after sales and if you’re not on the other end of the phone to answer a question to a customer about it you’re at nothing.
“He wouldn’t come back and buy a washer off you if you wouldn’t help him. Just until he’s up and running, you know?”
All in all, business is good and the online store (check out eardlyagri.ie) has added another dimension to the company’s customer reach.
Looking at the months ahead for the business, Michael is eager for more of the same business-wise and perhaps see some more growth along the way as they edge closer and closer towards 20 years in business out along Hebron Road.
“We’re hoping to grow again a bit more next year and keep growing,” the Kilkenny native said.
“We’re hoping to grow the area as well maybe. Every year we look to grow market share here.
“Deutz is going alright at the moment and, as I said, combines and tractors are going alright, so we’re kind of getting a foothold on that now and starting to get tractors in stock.
“We are happy with the performance of our online stores and our counter sales.”
Great to hear.
Eardly Agricultural Service Ltd
34 Hebron Industrial Estate,
Hebron Road,
Kilkenny.
Telephone: 056 776 3612
Mobile: 087 795 4597
Web: eardlyagri.ie
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: @EardlyAgriculturalService
Snapchat: @eardlyagri
