Truro Farm Machinery is the latest dealer to agree to sell and support ARGO Tractors’ McCormick brand, with the business taking on the full franchise for McCormick’s 44-310hp range from November 15.

A family-run business dedicated to serving the farming community of Cornwall, Truro Farm Machinery was founded in 1983. In summer 2010, the company outgrew its original premises in the centre of Truro, and moved to a purpose-built new site in a more convenient location just off the A30 at Mitchell, complete with larger, better-equipped workshops and parts department complex.

“Our aim has always been to deliver a first-class service to all our customers, large or small,” says Kevin Andrews, the company’s managing director.

“We know our farmers value the quality of our machinery, and in the rare case something goes wrong, they know we will bend over backwards to get them working again as soon as possible.

“We had been talking with McCormick’s UK team for some time, but it was the launch of a brand-new range of X7 short wheelbase models due at LAMMA in January that finally convinced us. We feel this is a great time for TFM and our loyal customers to join forces with McCormick.

“This hasn’t been a spur of the moment decision on our part, but has come from close communication with McCormick Tractors UK and Ireland. We are particularly excited about the new X7 models, especially as the 150-200hp bracket is a strong sector for our business. McCormick has already been working closely with us, delivering a tractor from its Doncaster headquarters to send out to some of our customers for appraisal. The result was excellent feedback and very good reviews.

“That reinforced our conviction that this is the right franchise for us, and as a committed stocking dealer we already have models in our yard ready for demonstration and sale.

Truro Farm Machinery is the latest in a long line of dealers switching from a competitor brand. After signing with McCormick back in 2001 when the marque was relaunched, the company later switched to another make following a local reshuffle of franchises. Now the McCormick signage is back on the building at Mitchell, alongside the signs for the firm’s other franchises, which include JCB, McHale, McConnel, Teagle, Shelbourne Reynolds, Watson and Conor, plus trailers from JPM, AW and Indespension.

“Today’s McCormick is very different to the brand we worked with twenty years ago, and that was also a big attraction for us. Investment within ARGO’s factories and the wider business has clearly been substantial, and I’m confident the latest X series tractors – from the X2 models starting at 44hp to the flagship X8 range which tops out at 310hp – match anything on the market. From simple mechanical machines to those with advanced CVT transmissions and full precision farming technology, we have something to offer every customer. And as McCormick is a tractor specialist we are free to work with the other franchises to which we remain committed.

“We have had a great deal of support and loyalty from customers, and have already made our first McCormick sale, a 75hp X4.080,” says Kevin.

“Dairy and arable farmers and daffodil growers represent a large part of our business, and in addition to the X4 and X5 models, I would expect there to be significant interest in the X6 and X7 tractors, with models of 150-200hp having always been a big seller for us. We also have an X5 series loader tractor in stock for demonstration, and will be broadening our demo fleet as soon as possible. Having stock ready to show and provide demo opportunities is important to us.”

Truro Farm Machinery’s team of seven engineers – which includes one apprentice as further evidence of the business’s faith in the future of farming – are preparing to begin service training on McCormick tractors, whilst the two-strong team in the parts department are also setting up new systems and stocking up to support any customer needs.

“The whole team is backed by a further two office-based staff, and it’s all of these people that provide the service that keeps customers coming back. We’re really excited by the new franchise, and can’t wait to show customers the new X7 short wheelbase and other models at LAMMA in January.”

Commenting on the appointment, Managing Director of Argo Tractors in the UK and Ireland, Adrian Winnett said “ We are delighted to welcome a dealer of TFM’s calibre to our rapidly expanding network. The McCormick brand is growing constantly, and our focus on dealers who provide exceptional aftersales service is key to our growth. We are delighted with the initial response from customers in Cornwall and look forward to a long term relationship with the team at TFM”