John Deere has confirmed that Shropshire dealership Rea Valley Tractors has now been acquired by Simon Clarke, the owner of Derbyshire dealer Agricultural Industrial Services Ltd (AIS).

This follows a previous announcement that Mr Clarke was in exclusive negotiations with the directors of Rea Valley Tractors to buy their business. Both Rea Valley Tractors and AIS are now wholly owned by Dunstall Holdings Ltd, with Simon Clarke as group chairman and Robert Ball as managing director of both dealerships.

“It is very much business as usual at both Rea Valley Tractors depots,” says Simon Clarke. “We intend to continue building on the very strong Rea Valley reputation for customer service, and look forward to welcoming customers both old and new at Pontesbury and Newport.”

Rea Valley Tractors will continue to trade from its existing sites in under the same name, and all the dealership staff have been retained. The previous Rea Valley Tractors directors are to remain for an agreed period to assist with the change of ownership, and Chris Willner is staying on as service director to ensure that this aspect of customer support continues to be a key strength of the business.

Plans are underway to transfer the Pontesbury business in due course to a new bespoke building on a 7-acre site on the outskirts of Shrewsbury, later in 2011. “When we eventually move to the new Shrewsbury premises, we will have a great deal more space with purpose-built workshops, increased spare parts capacity and a new style John Deere Place showroom, as befits a flagship dealer,” adds Robert Ball.

It is also proposed that a further Rea Valley Tractors branch will be established in mid-Wales in due course, to provide additional sales and service support to local customers in that area. AIS will continue as John Deere’s agricultural and homeowner dealership in its own trading area, from the existing premises at Draycott in the Clay, near Sudbury.

“Everyone involved recognises that this outcome offers the highest level of continuity, with the current Rea Valley sales, parts and service team working with new and existing customers in the Rea Valley Tractors trading area,” says John Deere division sales manager Paul Leathem. “The impressive plans for future expansion will undoubtedly contribute to the further growth and success of the business.”