FARM BUSINESSES could not run successfully without assistance from their trusted agricultural dealerships, for all manner of services, including parts, repairs, and even the opportunity to purchase new or second-hand machinery and equipment.

That is where R and L Miller Ltd, found at Jameston Moss, on the outskirts of Kilwinning, comes into the picture.

Owned, in partnership, by Robert and Lorna Miller, who also have two daughters, Jennifer and Nicola, the business was set up more than 30 years ago, and has become well established in that time, and provides services for farmers, agricultural contractors and a variety of other customers, including home building, civil engineering and waste management companies.

The Scottish Farmer:

R AND L Miller stores reception

In total, four different departments can be found at the dealership, and these include parts - which sells a range of products from Vapormatic, Sparex, Kramp, Fleetguard, Draper, Tinsley and Husqvarna, repairs, plant hire and haulage - which has a fleet of three lorries, as well as sales in new and second hand machinery.

Presently, R and L Miller has 120 excavators and telehandlers, predominantly from Scot JCB, with only seven of the telehandlers coming from other brands, which include Manitou and Merlo. 

There are also 60 tractors, skid steers and dumpers within the collection, and these are mainly from John Deere, New Holland and JCB, and are in conjunction with a full range of other machinery, available for hire, such as dung spreaders, trailers, etc.

Explaining the progression to what the business is today, Robert commented: “We started off as an agricultural engineering business, which serviced local farmers’ and customer’s needs.

“I then started to deal a wee bit in machinery in the mid 80s and the business has grown from there.”

The Scottish Farmer:

ALLAN Jamieson, of Hartfield Farm, Paisley, and his son, Archie, suss out R and L Miller stores stock

Robert then purchased the first telehandler for the company in 1997, from Scot JCB, and this was his leading step into creating the fleet found at Jameston Moss today.

In terms of employment, there are more than 20 staff here, with four heads of each department within the business.

Discussing his staff, and the importance of customer service to him, Robert explained: “I have a brilliant group of staff here.

“They are all conscientious and attentive to our customers, and I always tell the staff that if you don’t look after that customer, somebody else will, and it’s true.

“The customer is not yours, they do not belong to you, and so you’ve always got to be aware of that, and remember it."

Robert has a customer base all over the central belt of Scotland, and his services can be found anywhere from a hire tractor on Arran to a lorry carting goods to motorway work on the M8.

He explained: “We started off with a very modest customer base and that has mushroomed into what it is today.

“I want to thank those customers for their support over the last 30 plus years, and I hope to provide for them for many years to come!”

The Scottish Farmer:

ALLAN and Archie making a purchase

Machinery, however, is not everything that R and L Miller is involved in, and that branches out into finishing 250 either Charolais or Limousin cattle each year, and an investment in a Biomass heating system, which heats everything in the business, and the house, based at Jameston Moss, including the water supply.

Commenting on what keeps him motivated to keep the business going, and why he keeps doing it, Robert said: “I get in here around 7am every morning, and that’s after I’ve fed the cattle.

“I do it, simply, because I love it.

“I like to call those few hours in the morning ‘golden time’ as it gives me a few moments to think about the day ahead, and what needs to be organised.

“I can’t imagine giving it up, as it keeps me going, and I thrive on being busy, and ensuring our customers have the best service they can possibly get!”

R and L Miller will be hosting an open day on Monday, March 6, which is open to all. 

There will be discounts on offer, as well as refreshments and a full range of new and used machinery, tractors and plant, while there will be stands from JCB, Marshall, Fleming, NC, Ritchie, West and Albutt.