Farm machinery importer and distributor Ruston’s Engineering Company – Reco – is to close early next year as a result of decisions affecting two of its main franchises.

In a letter to dealers, company chairman Richard Ruston explained that Sulky-Burel’s plan to open a UK subsidiary and Agco’s decision to supply its Fella grassland products through Massey Ferguson dealers would have such an impact on sales that the business could no longer provide the levels of service customers have come to expect.

“Due to lack of succession in this long-established family business, we originally hoped to sell the business so that it could continue largely as now,” he adds.

“But negotiations recently came to nothing and closure is the only remaining course open to us.

See also: Sulky drops Reco to distribute farm kit direct

“Our priorities over the next few months are to assist our loyal and talented staff in finding suitable employment elsewhere, and gradually selling our machinery stocks, plant and fixtures and fittings, and ultimately our premises in St Neots.”

Reco managers are also actively discussing the transfer of its remaining franchises to other importers to ensure continued availability of products and parts and service backup.

Notable among them are Kioti compact tractors and UTVs, Strautmann feeders and manure spreaders, Breviglieri power harrows, tillers and flail mowers, and Ovlac ploughs and cultivations equipment.

Reco also distributes a number of groundscare products.

Richard Ruston emphasised that Reco is not in financial difficulty and will undergo a managed closure process that will likely conclude early next year.

He also points out that Stocks Ag, another independently run member of the Rustons group, is unaffected by the decision to close Reco.