West Sussex firm Yeowart Agricultural is the latest dealer to sign up for a McCormick agency, as the ARGO brand continues to add to its roster of established family businesses, reflecting the manufacturer’s own management.
From its premises at Tyes Cross Farm, Sharpthorne, near East Grinstead, the Yeowart business is now the McCormick main dealer for the counties of East and West Sussex and Surrey, a region which encompasses a spread of farm types and sizes well-suited to the McCormick range of up to 310hp. In addition, the area is home to a sizeable number of fruit and vegetable units and a significant sportsturf and amenity sector, all well-matched to the brand’s lower-hp and specialist models, which start at 49hp.
“The change to McCormick has been a swift but smooth one, and we are really pleased with the support shown to us by our customers and provided by the UK McCormick team,” says Dealer Principal Lewis Yeowart, the third generation to play a part in the family business, today operated alongside his father David.
“We’re well underway with the switchover, with parts stocks in place, service training planned and our sales team up to speed on the McCormick range. We already have retailed our first tractor with many more on quote”
“It’s good to work with a family-owned manufacturer which has clearly been working hard and investing heavily in developing its tractor ranges. ARGO’s cab design, in-house axles, its transmission offering including CVT, and its high-quality outsourced components such as ZF transmissions and FPT engines, means I think we have something to offer every type of customer we deal with.
“As a family business, much like that of ARGO Tractors, we’re excited to be working with McCormick and look forward to making investments in tractor stock, service and parts support, and our Tyes Cross Farm depot.”
The Yeowart family’s business roots go back the 1951 foundation of an engineering business in Redhill, Surrey, by Brian Yeowart.
The business evolved into steel stockholding and processing, and moved to larger premises, ultimately employing over 100 staff and adding further new premises and depots.
In 2002, the family shareholders decided to make strategic changes, selling the steel stockholding company. In late 2007, the family purchased a local East Grinstead dealership where Lewis was working as a service engineer. That formed the basis of Yeowart Agricultural.
Show provides stage for new franchise
The Edenbridge and Oxted Show in late August provided Yeowart Agricultural with an ideal opportunity to unveil its new franchise, and Lewis reports that the response from both potential and existing customers was enthusiastic.
“We have a very loyal customer base, and were really pleased at the interest in McCormick tractors from long-term customers. In addition, though, the tractors gained a lot of attention from potential new customers for our business, ranging from owners of large small farms to those who operate smaller units, fruit farms, turf-based facilities and equestrian enterprise owners.
“We’ve a dedicated, experienced team of five service staff who have been looking after customers in Sussex and Surrey for many years. Along with our sales and parts teams, they are looking forward to supplying, servicing and supporting local tractor users with what we’re convinced is an excellent new franchise.”
