McCormick tractor dealer Hilton Machinery has moved into new premises at Market Drayton, Shropshire, that are within sight of the firm’s service support partner Chris Evans Farm Services.
The two independent businesses forged an alliance last year to handle McCormick tractor sales and service throughout Staffordshire and parts of Shropshire and Cheshire. The new premises will enable Julian and Melanie Kearne to expand their Hilton Machinery operation and strengthen ties with Chris Evans and his service team.
“Having supplied more McCormick tractors than we expected in the first year, it is clear that our association with Chris Evans has worked very well,” Mr Kearne said. “We’re both very keen for our working partnership to continue because it’s been good for both businesses.”
Hilton Machinery’s new home is almost directly opposite the Chris Evans Farm Services base on the Adderley Road Industrial Estate, in Market Drayton. Apart from a spacious office area, there is a trade counter for parts and sundries in a large showroom where customers can take a close look at the McCormick tractors in stock regardless of the weather.
“This new location has also enabled us to take on several new franchises, including Can-Am quads, Vogel & Noot tillage equipment, RMH feeders, and Bomford, Twose, McHale, Lucas G and Marshall machinery,” Mr Kearne added. “We’re also the new distributor for Agrihealth livestock healthcare and sundry products and the Eddie Palin range of Liveryman Clippers, Fenceman electric fencing systems and Leovet horse products, both useful diversifications from equipment sales.”
Experienced salesman Dennis Davies has joined Hilton Machinery to handle the western half of the company’s McCormick territory, which extends from Stourport and Kidderminster north to Birkenhead, and from Shrewsbury eastwards beyond the M6. His appointment will allow Matt Bufton to concentrate on the eastern part of the territory.
In the workshop facility of the new premises, technician Andy Greaves handles warranty work, preparation of second-hand tractors and restoration projects on a part-time basis. He has been joined by apprentice James Martin, whose experience in the groundscare sector will be an asset to the business when it starts supplying the new McCormick X10 Series compact and utility tractors.
“We’ll also be adding a service van to handle on-farm repairs and servicing beyond Chris Evans’ normal trading area,” Mr Kearne added, “but the vast bulk of the McCormick servicing operations are still being handled by the workshop team headed by Wayne Evans – they have a tremendous reputation for customer service.”
Former Burgess Nantwich agricultural engineer Robert Peacock joined parts specialist Julian Simpson and Chris Evans in the stores last year as part of the McCormick venture.
“We wanted to maintain our service standards because it’s been the bedrock of our business,” Chris Evans said. “I’d like to think we’ve achieved that during the past year and will certainly strive to continue doing so in future.”
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