The January meeting of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Executive Council saw two further companies join the trade body.
M Healion Tractors operates at Arden, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The business specialises in the sale of used tractors and also provides a spare parts and repair service. It’s headed up by Micheal Healion.
Image source: Shane Casey
Meanwhile, Eardly Agricultural Service is based in Hebron Industrial Estate in Kilkenny. The business is a dealer for a variety of farm machinery brands including Krone, Amazone, Bomford, Tanco, Gregoire Besson, Quicke and APV – among others. The company is headed up by Michael Eardley.
Michael’s father John is a long-time FTMTA member. Interestingly, the dealership will host an open day at its premises on Thursday, February 8.
Image source: Shane Casey
The FTMTA says that it is “happy to continue the exceptional level of new members achieved during 2017 into the current year”.
Previously, the December meeting of the FTMTA Executive Council admitted four companies to the association. Among these was Merlo UK – a subsidiary of the wider Merlo Group (a family-owned manufacturer of a range of telehandlers, attachments and forestry tractors).
The parent company was founded by the Merlo family in 1964; it now employs 1,200 people around the globe. The UK division is based in Hampshire (England).
Zero Grazer – based at Dromone, Oldcastle, Co. Meath – also joined the ranks of the FTMTA at the December meeting. The business, led by Niall O’Reilly, claims to have pioneered the zero-grazing concept here in Ireland; the company produces a range of machines of different sizes and specifications.
Also joining at that time were O’Brien Tractors – a New Holland tractor and construction equipment dealership based in Bunnanadden, Co. Sligo – and Ardagh Agri Services – a retail farm machinery dealership based in Ballina, Co. Mayo.
The latter is led by managing director David Breslin; it’s an agent for several brands, including Tanco, Lely, Kverneland, McConnell, Abbey Machinery, McHale and Quicke.