The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Celebrating 30 years in business at BD Agri-Parts Moyvane
“You simply won’t have a business if you don’t look after the customer. I can honestly say in our 30 years we’ve been running this business there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t enjoyed”
To mark 30 years in business we will have various special offers instore
FOR Bobby and Marie Stack, 2018 is an important milestone as it marks 30 years since B.D Agri-Parts in Moyvane was established. A leading supplier in a wide range of spare parts, agricultural and industrial machinery, Bobby’s three decades in business feel as good today as it did back in March 1988 when he first opened his doors.
In the late 1970s, Bobby worked in the maintenance stores at the co-op in Listowel where he first realised that farmers needed parts for machinery. Realising there was no agri-supply business in north Kerry, Bobby immediately seized the opportunity and set out on his own journey.
“The main thing we do is agri-machinery spare parts. Anything to do with a machine we will handle it. We’re delighted to be in this position after 30 years and to be able to celebrate what we do,” said Bobby.
Farmers and contractors are Bobby’s main clients as he supplies the spare parts to people in the north Kerry and west Limerick region. From the outset of our conversation, Bobby is keen to praise and thank his many customers who have remained loyal to him over three decades.
“You simply won’t have a business if you don’t look after the customer. I can honestly say in our 30 years we’ve been running this business there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t enjoyed.”
Bobby added that for six to eight months in the year it can be incredibly busy. Then it tapers off slightly for a few weeks before picking up again. Bobby has adjusted to this aspect of the business and admits he has to maintain the same customer focus and attention to detail throughout the year no matter how busy or quiet it gets.
“It’s true, as you have to be available all the time to help customers. Being self-employed brings its own challenges in terms of the 24/7 responsibility that comes with it. But sourcing spare parts, and sometimes hard to find parts, is all part and parcel of what I enjoy most about the job,” he said.
One can only imagine the changes in technology and machinery that have taken place across a time span of 30-years. But Bobby has kept pace with this acceleration in change and he tells me it’s the part of the job he enjoys most as he’s constantly learning about advances in machinery.
“I’m at the counter every day, six days a week. Meeting people and providing a service is very rewarding. Yes, there have been many changes, but this is only to be expected in a trade like this as you must keep evolving. It’s mostly machinery over 5-years that we deal with but we also keep a close eye on parts for the latest machines.”
The number of farmers has also reduced considerably in Bobby’s 30-years. Back in 1988 there was about 200 farmers, all of whom had smaller tractors; but this has reduced to about 70 suppliers today - a trend replicated in the surrounding parishes. The day of small tractors and machines has all but gone to be replaced with much bigger equipment with contractors also getting bigger year-on-year.
“It’s different every day and even after 30-years I’m still learning. We’ve been very fortunate not to have had too many bumps in that time. When you enjoy something it’s never hard work and I owe it all to our great customers,” said Bobby.