MORE ABOUT GORDONSView further information, our history and where we are today
| GORDONS | A Brief HistoryJames Gordon(Engineers)Ltd, or GORDONS, is today the premier distributor of agricultural machinery, parts and accessories in South West Scotland with six strategically placed depots to provide a fast, efficient local service both for new machines and, most importantly to provide the best possible after sales support. It was away back in the month of October 1865 that Castle Douglas lad James Gordon saw that the busy market town would be the ideal site for a repair depot although the exact location of his first workshop is not known. In 1875 he moved to 165-167 King Street repairing any kind of machinery, agricultural or otherwise that was brought into his premises. He then started to manufacture and his improved turnip sowers and cutters soon made a hit in the local market and throughout the UK. He continued to expand and old accounts show that he was producing no fewer than 74 different types of machines, including ploughs, harrows, grubbers, cultivators, grain drills, pulpers, calf and sheep racks, churns, cheese presses, lawn mowers, garden rollers, cow ties, etc etc. On the retirement of Mr Gordon the business was taken over by Messrs James and William Montgomerie in 1922. They continued in partnership for nine years when Mr Wiliam Montgomerie became the sole proprietor. In 1931 the business moved to St Andrew Street where it was successfully developed by William until in 1946 he acquired extensive premises in New Market Street, then continued expansion led to the purchase of land and premises in Dalbeattie Road. Where the head office is located today. William was joined by his two sons James and John in 1939 and they successfully carried on the business. James is the current Chairman and still working in the business at the age of 85. John’s son William is the current managing director, James’ son Neil is service director. Still a family business but not one afraid of change and expansion. In 1986 the company joined forces with Richardson’s of Castle Kennedy to open a depot at Whauphill, this led to the full acquisition of Richardson’s and an amalgamation with Wallace & Co in 1989. This increased depot numbers to 4. This was followed in 2000 by the opening of a depot in Dumfries, then in 2002 the acquisition of the former depots of Hamilton’s of Larkhall, giving us depots at Shilford and Strathaven. In January 2005 we moved from Shilford and opened at Berryhill. The company now employs 80 people over 6 depots and has an annual turnover in excess of £18Million. |