The knock on effects of BSE and Foot and Mouth disease are still being felt by the farming industry. As a result, less money is now being spent on buying and servicing farm machinery. Annual profits are an industry rarity.

Agricultural engineering company James Gordon (Engineers) Ltd, based in Dumfries and Galloway, has bucked this trend due to tight control of overheads and a reputation for first class service and value. The challenge now is to maintain turnover by expanding its customer base.

An opportunity to do just that arose when Hamiltons of Larkhall decided to scale down its business.

James Gordon agreed to take on Hamiltons’ franchise for Class Harvesting Machinery, moving the depot to Strathaven and making a substantial investment in creating a new office and parts store.

South Lanarkshire Economic Development helped make the transition as smooth as possible. It helped the company search for new premises and, in partnership with Small Business Gateway East Kilbride, provided funding from the Business Growth Through Investment in Property Grant Scheme. This scheme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the West of Scotland 1997-99 Operational Programme through the Strathclyde European Partnership.

The money helped fund work to build the office and also to level and fence off the depot’s yard.

Managing Director William Montgomerie said, “We were delighted with the service we received from the Council.”

By moving fast, James Gordon has been able to minimise inconvenience to customers.

“We’ve also taken on the 19 staff that were working for Hamiltons in Larkhall,” said William. “So our customers will be seeing the same faces as before.”

James Gordon dates back to 1865 and currently employs 75 staff in the sale and service of farm machinery.

The Strathaven depot has a large indoor repair facility where engineers service all manner of machinery including tractors, silage feeders, combine harvesters, lawnmowers

and muck spreaders.

Its supplies store is similarly all encompassing. “Our motto is ‘All the help you need’,” said William. “We can supply all the sundries farmers require such as batteries. We even stock pigeon feed.”

Business South Lanarkshire - Spring 2002

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