The contracting side of the business was in great demand in the 60's and 70's. Roy invested in the latest machinery, including the first privately owned reversible plough in the area. The farm has expanded over the years to over 1,400 acres at present. However, it is now 100% arable, growing wheat and oilseed rape.
The machinery trading really began in 1970 and, with the first export orders on the books, the business took off very quickly. Before long, all types of agricultural and industrial machinery were being sent all over the world. The machinery sales arm of the business is still strong today - the only limiting factor is actually finding good used machinery to sell. We are main agents for Merlo Handlers [Agricultural and Construction], Griffith Trailers, Browns, Opico, Stocks, Major, Wessex, Polaris and in January 2003 we were appointed as dealers for McCormick tractors and machinery for Essex and surrounding area. We are convinced that the McCormick name is one that is well respected and has already quickly proved that it is able to be a market leader. The range continues to grow all the time, with tractors up to 280hp now available, and innovations such as the McCormick TeleTractor on it's way.
We are always in the market for buying and selling good used agricultural machinery and, if you have machinery you would like to sell, please contact our General Sales Manager, George Beckwith [mobile 07815 846089, home 01799 586525], or our Area Sales Manager, Ian Collar [mobile 07967 800198, home 01376 327950], and they will be pleased to call to see you. .
It is a common misconception that machinery hire is a relatively new part of the enterprise. The fact is that it began over 30 years ago, as soon as the machinery trading started. It is true to say, however, that this venture has seen a massive increase over the last few years.
Each year there is a vast range of machinery out on hire, such as trailers, spreaders, wheeled and tracked diggers, post hole borers and hammers, forklifts, power harrows, flail and tipping mowers etc. As main agents for Merlo Trucks, world leaders in handler design, we have now added the most versatile forklift to our hire fleet [102HP & 140HP, 6m to 16m reach]. The Company, being practical farmers, takes pride in its personal service and the ability to match machinery to particular tasks.
R C Boreham's association with The Vapormatic Company began back in the early 70's, when the parts were used to recondition and repair tractors for sale and export, and, of course, on the business' own farm machinery. Roy's son, Nigel, joined the Company at this time, and the partnership has continued since then from strength to strength, to this present day, when Nigel's own son, Matt has joined his Father and Grandfather in the family business. Roy’s wife, Ursula, his daughter, Sandra, and Nigel’s wife, Susie, are also involved in the day to day administration duties and, Anna, Sandra’s daughter, is the most recent family member to join the business.
In the mid-eighties, Vapormatic made the decision to target farmers and end users through a network of appointed stockists. Roy and Nigel saw this as a logical extension to their business and, consequently, in November 1986, R C Boreham & Co were appointed Vapormatic stockists for Essex. After a frantic month of activity in December, the new parts division opened for business at the beginning of January 1987.
The growth and success of the parts operation has been, to say the least, spectacular. To complement the large stock of Vapormatic parts, many other lines have been put into stock over the last twenty years and, with over sixty other suppliers, we are able to meet mostly all your needs. With the McCormick dealership we are now able to supply both modern McCormick parts for today’s range, and McCormick Classic parts for older Doncaster built tractors. Additionally, we specialise in supplying parts for veteran tractors and machinery up to the most modern, and have available manufacturing facilities producing one-off parts or by the thousand. This department offers a complete parts and accessories service to Essex farmers, including delivery anywhere in Essex, parts of Suffolk and Hertfordshire and, with our extended Showroom, we welcome customers old and new to see our extensive range of goods. Not forgetting the other important components of the organisation - that of transport and service. On offer is a range of lorries, with drivers, available for "one-off" jobs or regular contracts - from low loader to flat bed with crane. Our trained Workshop Technicians give full sales and service support to our customers, backed up by our well stocked and comprehensive stores. As practical farmers ourselves, we understand the importance of repairing equipment at reasonable prices.
Probably the most important part of any business is the staff, and Roy and Nigel believe they have the finest in Essex. Certainly, from a customer's point of view, they are all well experienced in their field, and very friendly and helpful with it - no wonder R C Boreham & Co have become an invaluable part of Essex farming.