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We’re here to help in whatever way we can, so feel free to visit your nearest branch, phone with a question or email one of the team. We look forward to hearing from you.
A family business going from strength to strength
We started small, very small…and we’ve managed to keep that special feeling you get when everyone is on the same journey. At our heart is the fact we’re a family business but more important are the family values that sit alongside this – knowing that you’re there for each other and its in the times of need that everyone really steps up. With one hundred and twenty people in the family its great to see what’s been achieved over the seventy years – the highlights of which are below:
Established
Tractors & Farm Aids (TFA) is founded by George Scott and begins selling and supporting the Massey Ferguson range of Agricultural machinery from its base in Reading, Berkshire. At the time there was only one MF dealership smaller than ourselves...and they were on the Channel Islands.
New beginnings in Oxfordshire
Walter Wilder, based in Wallingford, relinquished the Massey Ferguson dealership for Oxfordshire. This was our first opportunity to really grow under the ownership and very successful partnership of Scott & King who were able to purchase the premises and take on the majority of the Walter Wilder team.
TFA acquires Lister Farm Sales
Lister Farm Sales, Massey Ferguson dealers for Gloucestershire, are looking to pull out of the industry and an agreement is reached with TFA. Remembering this was the time before the internet, mobile phones and generally the world was less connected and so the companies continued to operate as TFA, Walter Wilder and Lister Farm Sales albeit all under the same family ownership.
Expanding into groundcare
Our Groundcare division is formed and soon after the Kubota franchise is added - this immediately accelerates our growth and Reading becomes the new hub for this business
Introducing Lister Wilder
A decision is taken to combine the strength of the 'Lister' name in the West with the reputation of 'Wilder' in the East, and the company is renamed as Lister Wilder - So Tractors & Farm Aids disappears but a sensible move that keeps a nod to our history whilst also recognising the more diverse nature of our offering.
Introducing construction
With Agriculture and Groundcare now thriving, the decision was made to move into the supply and support of Construction machinery - essentially mini excavators. Again, the Kubota range was soon added and the business has steadily grown with the team now selling around 700 units a year.
Moving into arboriculture
The Arboriculture division is formed and is built around the Timberwolf, Stihl and Husqvarna franchises. This small, dedicated team deal with tree surgeons and contractors to supply and support this specialist kit.
New branch opening in Guildford
With London and Surrey being such a heavily populated area, a decision was taken to open a new branch in Ockham, near Guildford. Sited just off the A3, it acts as a great hub for our Sales, Service and Parts team to serve the surrounding area.
Bristol branch expands to full potential
A service centre is opened on the outskirts of Bristol that grows steadily to become a fully-fledged branch along with sales and parts support.
Ashford opens its doors
Our Ashford branch opens its doors, initially focusing on Groundcare machinery before expanding and becoming a Kubota construction centre as well.
Winning Awards
We are awarded the prestigious Gold Service Award from Kubota along with the Service Dealer - Groundcare Dealer of the Year.
Southam opens for business
Our new branch at Ufton, Southam opens for business.
Kubota Announces move into Agriculture
With Kubota already a World leader in the sub 100hp tractor market, their desire to move into the Agricultural market was seen as a natural move by everyone in the industry.
Kubota centre opens in Kent
Eight years after the original branch opened its door, the business has clearly outgrown its site and with the addition of Kubota Agriculture, a new branch is opened and becomes the first fully-fledged Kubota Centre in the country.
2020
Having steadily grown with the Agco and Kubota franchise, both had become firm favourites. However, it had steadily become clear that it would be impossible to represent both brands in the long term. As a result, Lister Wilder chose to uncouple from the AGCO franchise in a way that protected everyone involved - this left a clear pathway whereby we could focus on a full line offering for our Agricultural, Groundcare and Construction customers - three pillars of the business that form the bedrock of what we do.
2022
With a new focus and clarity of purpose, the team launched into action, finding a lovely 3 acre site on the outskirts of Bibury from which to launch the Kubota based business. Doors opened for business at the end of January and the team bid a fond farewell to the old Love Lane site…swapping a ten minute queue to get in and out of the old trading estate for a ten minute drive on open roads to Bibury 😊