Our Heritage

Founded by Bob Crawford
in October 1980
RW Crawford > Our Heritage

OUR HISTORY

R W Crawford Agricultural Machinery was founded by Bob Crawford in October 1980, initially buying and selling used farm machinery. We now specialise in providing farm machinery and 4×4 vehicle Sales, Servicing and Parts sales across Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.

Our Head Office is in Writtle, on the outskirts of Chelmsford, Essex.

Having previously been a Case IH and JCB dealer, in 2001, R W Crawford proudly took on the Massey Ferguson Franchise. This was to be the start of a long and established relationship with AGCO. With the Massey Ferguson franchise being a success, in 2003, R W Crawford took on Challenger. Following further success with Challenger, R W Crawford felt that the ongoing growth and success of the company meant that we were able to take on a further AGCO Franchise, Fendt. Check out our range of used Fendt tractors.

R W Crawford started running the Challenger Franchise in Kent from our Essex Depot. We were awarded the Fendt franchise in 2005, and the aim was to reciprocate the success of our Essex depot in Kent. A suitable site was located just off Junction 8 of the M20, and planning was secured. On Wednesday 26th June 2013, the newly built state of the art farm machinery dealership opened in Charing, Nr Ashford, Kent.

Following the success of our new depot in Kent, solid foundations formed. We felt we were able to take on two more franchises at our Kent depot. At the beginning of 2014, we proudly announced that we had taken on the Valtra and Isuzu Franchises.

By 2016 R W Crawford had taken on the Valtra franchise in Essex, making the Essex dealership ‘full-line’. With the merging of Challenger into Fendt in the UK, we can now offer customers three of AGCO’s finest franchises to our name. Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Valtra. Allowing us to supply you with a tractor that can suit your every need.

Over time we outgrew our original depot in South Woodham Ferrers in Essex. Therefore, once again, a site was secured, planning was accepted and in July 2018 we moved into our state of the art, purpose-built premises in Writtle, Essex.

During the first few months of 2019 we were presented with an opportunity to take on additional territory covering West Sussex and Hampshire. We took this opportunity and in June 2019 we opened our doors at our new site located along the A272 on the outskirts of Billingshurst, West Sussex.

At the start of 2020, we were awarded the Manitou Agricultural Telehandlers and product range for Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire. “Manitou is a respected quality brand offering the performance and reliability our customers demand. There are models to suit all types and sizes of agricultural enterprise which means it is ideal for our operating area, and it will complement the quality brands we currently represent. There is great excitement throughout our sales teams at the opportunities this gives us to cater for the needs of new and existing customers.” Comments Wes Crawford.

Following continued success and growth, along with our drive to provide excellent customer service, in 2020 the decision was made to look for a fourth depot to provide our Hampshire customers with an equally excellent level of service. Fast forward to August 2021 and we proudly opened our fourth depot in Ropley, Nr Alresford in Hampshire. Find your nearest depot here.

From starting off with a very small team, we now have over 100 dedicated employees!

GALLERY