AgriArgo UK Ltd, the existing Landini and McCormick tractor distributor for the UK, will take over the distribution of both brands across Ireland.
The move is expected to be officially confirmed by AgriArgo UK, which is based in Harworth, South Yorkshire, tomorrow morning. D&S Machinery, the long-standing Irish importer of Landini and McCormick, will cease to handle the wholesale distribution of these tractors across Ireland thereafter.
Who or what is AgriArgo UK?
AgriArgo UK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Argo Tractors. Argo Tractors, which was established in 2007, is a subsidiary of the Argo Group. It has a production capacity of more than 22,000 tractors per year. Encompassing the Landini, McCormick and Valpadana brands, Argo Tractors is one of the key players in the tractor business in Europe.
Production derives from a number of factories; the Doncaster plant that was associated with McCormick for many years closed in 2007. The Wheatley Hall Road facility had been a hub for the manufacture of agricultural equipment for the previous six decades.
Case IH operated the plant since the mid 1980s, but had to sell it in 2000 to obtain European Commission clearance for its tie-up with New Holland. Just months later, in early 2001, McCormick tractors rolled off the lines.
Nowadays, Landini, McCormick and Valpadana tractors are manufactured in Italy, in factories at Fabbrico, San Martino and Luzzara. The R&D and engineering divisions are located in the main headquarters at Fabbrico (Reggio Emilia) – the traditional home of Landini.
In San Martino, Argo Tractors also has a major parts center, which distributes Landini spares in Italy and abroad. In Saint Dizier, France, there is another parts centre – for the worldwide distribution of McCormick parts.
Argo Tractors now reaches into markets all around the globe through nine subsidiaries and 130 importers. Here in Ireland, its brands have been represented by D&S Machinery for several decades.
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AgriArgo UK has reportedly already appointed a new Irish-based sales manager for Landini and McCormick here.
Meanwhile, D&S Machinery has confirmed to Agriland that it will continue to provide spare parts for a period – for tractors it has sold. The news is expected to lead to some job losses at D&S Machinery, which is based in Walkinstown, Dublin.
