UK | Dealers

Dealership Colemans Millstreet Ltd

New Holland family dealership Colemans Millstreet Ltd celebrates 60 years with 500 well-wishers.

6/10/2014

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Anaward-winning New Holland family dealership in Millstreet, County Cork,celebrated its 60th brand anniversary with an open weekend and celebrationnight.

Although itlaunched in the 1940s, Colemans Millstreet Ltd first opened its doors as a FordTractor outlet in 1954 when work horses were still a common sight on the farmsaround Ireland.

It is nowflying the flag for New Holland’s state-of-the-art technology and to mark itsdiamond year, special open days were held recently, attracting up to 500visitors.

New Hollandrepresentatives from the UK joined the celebrations, including the ManagingDirector of the Basildon factory plant Andrew Watson, and ‎General SalesManager James Doyle.

As well asfood and drink, there were historic tractors on display including the FordsonMajor and Fordson Dexta, plus field tests comparing some of the latest modernranges – the T4, T5, T6 and T7 – with their predecessors.

Customersalso surveyed the successor to the ever popular New Holland T5050 tractor: theNew Holland T4.105, which was on display.

ColemansMillstreet Ltd was set up by three brothers, Jerh, Paddy and Tim Coleman. Sixtyyears on and Paddy’s son, John Coleman, now runs the dealership alongside hiswife, Mary, and their children, Patrick, Linda, Marie and Emma.

The businessin Minor Row has served generations of the same farming families and providesjobs for 15 people, including a Kia car franchise plus an additional 20 peoplein their Centra Forecourt Store. It has gone from strength to strength and wonNew Holland Irish Dealer of the Year in 2013.

John, whofirst started work there in 1969, said: “We were thrilled at the turnout. Wemet customers that we haven’t seen for years and years. We had a lot ofinterest in the product and there was a great buzz around the place.”

One notablereturning customer was John Fleming, from Nursetown, Dromahane, Mallow, Co.Cork, who revealed he still had the tractor he bought new from Sales ManagerBen O Connor at Colemans in December 1973 – and he had the receipt and originaltax book to prove it! He still works the Ford 3000 on the land.

John added:“We have always strived to give one hell of a back-up service to the productswe sell. We pride ourselves that if we can’t get to a farmer today, wecertainly will tomorrow.

“Whenfarmers look at what to buy that’s one of three things they consider: value,quality and service. They look at the whole package and that’s precisely whatwe’ve always tried to give them.”

Memorablemoments for John include the day in 1984 when Colemans Millstreet Ltd sold its2,000^th tractor. It has since gone on to sell 3,300 new units forthe brand.

The backboneof the team ever since he joined in 1973 has been Tractor Sales Manager BenO'Connor, said John, along with the outstanding aftersales team.

“It’s Ben’sdedication and expertise that has been instrumental in building our tractorbusiness to what it is today,” John explained. “Being a farmer himself andcoming from a farming background, he knows exactly what the farmer needs.”

Each sale isstill recorded in Colemans on traditional record books dating back to 1959which farmers regularly consult to find out when their parents and evengrandparents purchased tractors from Colemans.

John added:“After 60 years we’re just very pleased to still be around. But the thing thathas always stood out in my mind is how extraordinary farmers are. They canwithstand devastating weather and then when the sun comes out they are ready tostart again.”

NewHolland’s Area Sales Manager for the Republic of Ireland, Liam Hayde, said: “Johnis a very community-minded kind of guy; he does a great job and has beencontinuously showing an amazing commitment to our brand and his customersthroughout the decades.”