SHARMANS TO ACQUIRE DEALERSHIP

Sharmans Agricultural Ltd have announced an agreement in principle has been reached to acquire the business of Louth Tractors, the Case IH main dealer for the central and northeast Lincolnshire area.

Sharmans, whose head operating office is located at Gonerby Moor, Grantham and who currently hold five other branches in Melton Mowbray, Stamford, Lowdham, Pytchley (Kettering) and Eltisley, say the process is now underway to finalise the purchase details over the coming months.

In a statement the dealerships said Louth Tractors will operate as normal but under the new ownership and management of Sharmans Agricultural Ltd and the Barclay family. The announcement posted to the Sharman's website read, "With shared reputations for quality, honesty, hard work and family values the agreement seeks to achieve continuity for both the Louth Tractors team and customers, while enabling Sharmans to expand its business and build on the success of the Case IH brand and enhance the customer experience."

All employees will transfer as part of the agreement and the existing branch location based in Louth will initially be retained while new premises are developed.

The official statement continued, "For our existing and new customers the combined dealerships offers the ability to invest further in our team, our facilities and technologies so that we can go much further in supporting your businesses and delivering an exceptional customer experience."

L-R: James Madge, aftermarket director, Sharmans; Scott Barclay, managing director, Sharmans; John Smith, managing director, Louth Tractors; Sally-Anne Hazard, marketing director, Sharmans; and Twitch the dog (John Smith’s)

Managing director of Sharmans, Scott Barclay, explained, "Growth in this industry has become a necessity. However, as a family-run business, people are at the centre of what we do, be they the staff that make up the Sharmans family, or our customers and business partners.  

"These decisions around growth are never taken lightly and Sharmans along with farming family AW Smith (Farm Machinery) Ltd, trading as Louth Tractors, have worked together, closely, amicably and openly in securing the agreement to the benefit of all parties.”