£70m agricultural machinery firm snaps up East Mids dealerships

An agricultural machinery firm which has branches across the East Midlands has been snapped up by a counterpart.

RBM Agricultural, which has dealerships in Retford, Brigg and Louth, has been bought by Ripon Farm Services for an undisclosed amount.

The enlarged company will trade as Ripon Farm Services, with all existing Ripon Farm Services and RBM branches as well as all branch staff being retained.

Based in North Yorkshire, Ripon Farm Services is a long-established agricultural machinery dealer, serving customers across Yorkshire and the Humber and Teesside. It also supplies parts, provides support and servicing and sells used equipment. The company employs 190 people at its nine depots and has a turnover of £70m.

RBM is a £45m turnover business, employing 84 staff at its five branches in Market Weighton, Malton, Retford, Brigg and Louth.

Both companies celebrated 50 years as John Deere dealerships in 2017.

Geoff Brown, managing director of Ripon Farm Services, said: “This acquisition represents considerable investment in our business and our skilled workforce and fits perfectly with our growth ambitions. It provides us with a great opportunity to expand our reputation for delivering high quality products and services to a much wider customer base.”

Adrian Denner, managing director of RBM Agricultural, said: “Ripon Farm Services shares our values for providing premium brands backed by expertise and excellent standards of service, a combination which delivers best value to customers.”