New premises open for UK’s first JCB-only agricultural dealer

• JCB’s newest dealership now has its Somerset headquarters up and running as the first UK dealer exclusively supplying and supporting the complete range of JCB agricultural equipment, from ultra-compact wheeled loaders to the full range of Fastrac 160-335hp tractors

The hub of RECO JCB operations is in Gurney Slade near Radstock, where the new premises are now fully operational with offices, a parts department, spacious workshop facilities and a large forecourt area displaying JCB machines in stock.

Louis Heal of RECO JCB said: “It’s taken a lot of intensive hard work to get the premises purchased for this new venture prepared and ready for business, and to bring in the new team members needed for everything from sales and administration to parts and workshop services.

“But we’ve done it; and I think anyone passing or visiting us at Gurney Slade will quickly realise this is a unique business focused purely on JCB agricultural equipment.”

The new operation’s JCB territory extends throughout Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, and is a joint venture between two well-established independent machinery dealerships: Redlynch Agricultural Engineering and Compass Tractors – hence the RECO JCB name.

And while its Gurney Slade premises are at the core of the operation, JCB parts, servicing, repairs, machine sales and dedicated JCB technicians are available at the Compass Tractors location in North Petherton near Bridgwater, Somerset, and Redlynch branches at Bruton, Somerset; Milborne St Andrew, near Dorchester, Dorset; and Middle Woodford near Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Louis Heal said: “This gives us five accessible locations serving JCB customers, with knowledgeable JCB-trained technicians working solely on JCB equipment operating out of each location.

“We’re delighted that so many people from previous JCB franchised dealers have come across to us; they’re excited about being in at the beginning of our new business and the experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for JCB products they bring will be invaluable to us and our new customers.”

Service manager Ian Hasell coordinates servicing and repair work; parts manager Darren Boulton, with 35 years’ experience in his field, has Alice Tucker working alongside; Claire Uphill is handling administration, and her brother and former dealer principal Rob Uphill is contributing his long-term sales and support experience to the new operation.

Matt Holloway is RECO JCB’s brand manager, coordinating sales and machine stocking, while Chris Barnes is on territory sales for all JCB agricultural equipment, as well as JCB mini diggers and other compact equipment for farm use.

“We were able to build a very comprehensive team quickly to minimise disruption to JCB users as the franchise transferred,” said Louis Heal. “Now we want to recruit further technicians and also sales and administration staff as the business continues to create new jobs in the area.”

John Smith, JCB Agriculture Managing Director, said: “We’re very impressed with the speed, enthusiasm and thoroughness of the people involved in setting up RECO JCB within a very short timescale and with many hurdles to overcome.

“They’ve worked really hard to make the franchise change-over as smooth as possible with the least possible disruption to JCB users, and now they are focused on delivering the high standards of parts, workshop services and other support JCB users expect throughout their sales territory.”

With Fastrac tractors and the most comprehensive materials handling product range of any manufacturer, the JCB line-up is well-suited to RECO JCB’s territory, which encompasses dairy and other livestock farms to the west and large arable units to the east.

“With this new dealership focused on JCB, we see great potential for increased take-up of the Fastrac,” said John Smith.

“The 160-217hp 4000 Series is a great all-rounder for both grassland and arable applications, while the bigger 8000 Series is clearly a strong contender for heavy arable field work – and with both offering unmatched ride comfort and productivity thanks to the Fastrac’s signature all-round suspension.”

Equally, JCB’s big choice of machines for handling grain, muck, bales and more besides caters for every farm handling and loading application with market-leading performance, features and durability.

The range comprises a comprehensive line of versatile Loadall telescopic handlers from 1.6-6.0 tonnes capacity; telescopic wheeled loaders from the 64hp TM180 to 173hp TM420S; the unique tracked and wheeled Teleskid; and articulated wheeled loaders from the new 50hp ultra compact 403 Agri to the 282hp 457 Agri bulk loading shovel.