FOUNDED IN the 1940s, Ramsay and Jackson Ltd is situated on the outskirts of Mauchline, at Knowehead Works, and has services available for all agricultural needs. 

The 1940s saw the business originally involved in threshing contracting, using steam traction engines, but the sales and repair side of Ramsay and Jackson soon evolved, with the three Ramsay brothers, namely Neil, Billy and Robin, becoming partners with their mother, Isabella Jackson, and step-father, James Jackson.

Ramsay and Jackson maintained the contracting side of the business until the 1970s, when the last combine harvester was sold off to allow more time for the firm’s growing machinery supply and repair business. 
Presently, the business is run by Neil and Billy Ramsay, who are the sons of the original partners, and 17 people are employed within the organisation.

There are a number of services available from the Ramsay and Jackson team, which include sales of Merlo Telescopic Handlers, Case IH Tractors, Takeuchi Compact Excavators, and Honda ATVs, while they also provide maintenance and servicing of agricultural vehicles and machinery, with the tools and equipment necessary to efficiently diagnose problems that arise.

The Scottish Farmer:

ALISTER SHANKS presents Billy (L) and Neil (R) Ramsay with their trophy to recognise the sale of their 500th Merlo

Those tools include a Froment Sigma Dynamometer, for load testing tractors and checking horsepower, and a Loler safety inspection service for Merlo, and other makes of telehandler and fork lifts. 

For diesel cars, vans, pick-ups and tractors of all makes, Ramsay and Jackson can also supply and install Steinbauer power upgrade kits.

Along with these services, two different brands of tractor are offered for sale, namely Case IH and Zetor, while other franchises include Merlo, Honda ATVs, McHale, Takeuchi, Pottinger, NC, Logic, Herron, Permastore, Walter Watson, and Shelbourne Reynolds.

It was with one of these franchises, Merlo, that Ramsay and Jackson recently celebrated a special anniversary - namely the sale of the 500th Merlo since 1996. 

The Scottish Farmer:

CONOR BREEN (R) and Angus Erskine (L), of McHale, who were promoting their business at the open day

This achievement was acknowledged by the franchise with a special trophy, which was presented at Ramsay and Jackson’s recent open day, held in conjunction with Case IH’s Red Power Tour.

The event was held over two days, on Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18, and saw a total of 450 people attend.

Speaking about the firm, and its importance to the organisation, Merlo’s Area Sales Manager, Alister Shanks, commented: “Ramsay and Jackson have been selling Merlos since 1996, and Merlo UK are delighted to be associated with the team here, and here’s to the next 500 sales of Merlos!”

While Colin MvVey, of Case IH, and part of the Red Power Tour, which was the catalyst for the open day, continued: “The Red Power Tour is covering the whole of the UK from February until April, with quite a few stops in Scotland due to the fact we have some new dealers here, and we are celebrating 175 years of Case IH.

The Scottish Farmer:

WELL-KNOWN Ramsay's salesman, Jamie McFadzean, was happy to show-off Honda's new UTV

“The tour has given us a great bit of presence, and it’s been great to interact with everyone at open days like the one Ramsay and Jackson has hosted.”

Linda Duff, who has been employed by Ramsay and Jackson since 1993, and Sandra Welsh, employed since 1972, and who both live locally, said that Ramsay and Jackson has a great team. 

They commented: “Open days like this are great because it really lets people from the outside come in and have a look at what Ramsay and Jackson is like, and it allows them to see how well all of the staff get on, which is a really positive image for us to give to people.

“Working here is great - it’s like we are all part of one big family, and we all get on so well.”

The Scottish Farmer:

SANDRA WELSH (L), and Linda Duff (R), who claimed the team at Ramsay and Jackson's is like a "big family"

Neil Ramsay, one of the two owning partners of Ramsay and Jackson, concluded: “Open days like this are a great way to promote our business.

“It’s also a great way to interact with customers, old and new, and it gives us the opportunity to catch up with some of the franchises’ sales reps.

“Some of our recent open days were held outwith our premises, and it has been great to bring it back in-house, and allow our customers to have a look at how Ramsay and Jackson operates.

“It gives them the chance to interact with us, and get to know us, making the business closer and more accessible to all of them, and it’s an opportunity for us to catch up with them, and their farming needs!”

The Scottish Farmer:

RAMSAY and Jackson team, supported by all of the franchises' sales rep at the open day