Leading figure in Shropshire equipment sales sets up new McCormick dealership

Thu 13/03/2014

A new farm machinery dealership has started trading near Shrewsbury to service the tractor and equipment needs of farmers and contractors in southern Shropshire.

Severn Farm Machinery at Pontesbury marks the return to the local agricultural equipment market of experienced machinery dealer Chris Willner, who formed the business with his wife Jane, supported by their sons Matthew (28) and Michael (23).

“I had no plans to return to the agricultural equipment sector after departing Rea Valley Tractors, a highly successful multi-branch dealership,” says Mr Willner. “But the opportunity to represent McCormick tractors and Krone grass equipment in the area, and create a new business opportunity for the family, was too good to resist.”

The new company has a McCormick territory extending from Shrewsbury to south of Ludlow and between Chirbury in the west to beyond Kidderminster. It complements the coverage provided by three strong neighbouring dealers.

The area covered by HJR Agri at Oswestry is to the north-west; Hilton Machinery covers an area to the north-east from new premises at Newport, and P&D; Engineering is to the south-east at Bredon. An open territory to the south and south-west of the new dealership’s area extends into mid-Wales.

“Although we’re located towards the top of our trading area at Pontesbury, there’s a decent road network to get our service vans on-farm whenever they’re needed,” Chris Willner points out. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the venture take off.”

Seeing Argo Tractor’s plans for McCormick played a big part in persuading Chris Willner to set up the new dealership: “The range will be ideal for the mixed farming area we cover,” he says. “I’m particularly impressed with the new X7 Pro Drive tractors; they’ve got the sort of modern electronic controls that a lot of drivers want these days but done in a way that doesn’t look daunting when you first get in the cab.”

For the full story download the press release on the right.

You can also read about Severn Farm Machinery in The Farmer published by The Shropshire Star by clicking on the article from under the downloads section on the right.