Paul Gill looks back at 60 years in the machinery business
Paul Gill of, FTMTA member, P.F. Gill Ltd, Castlejordan, Co. Offaly, recently celebrated his 80th birthday. This was an opportunity to reflect on 60 years in the farm machinery business.
Paul joined F.J. Hurst Ltd. in Tullamore in 1955 and later moved to W.H. Deverell Farm Machinery in Tullamore selling Claas combines. In Butler Engineering Ltd., Portarlington, Paul sold hay sheds and in 1972, was appointed Manager of Coens Ltd in Tullamore selling David Brown tractors.
In 1976 Paul and his wife Florrie opened their own farm machinery business in Edenderry selling International tractors and farm machinery. In 1990, P. F. Gill Ltd. moved to its present Castlejordan location on the Meath / Offaly border. The current range includes Zetor, Lely, Fleming, Tanco and Portequip and Paul’s son Alan now runs the business.
Paul believes the business’s success todate is down to finding good brands, becoming experts in them and sticking with them. “When you specialise you can keep a wider range of spares on the shelf, if you carry too many brands you cannot afford to carry enough of anything and that’s no good for the farmer or no good for your cash flow”.
Be a part of a stronger farm machinery industry – join the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association – contact FTMTA at 045 409309 or membership@ftmta.ie for details.
