Winning Machinery Dealer of the Year at this year’s Scottish Agriculture Awards marks a major milestone for Stuart and Jen Allan, who have built their Tarbolton-based dealership from scratch over the past 10 years.
What began in 2016 with nothing more than a van, toolbox and a few early customers has grown into a busy dealership covering Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire and the wider central belt, now employing six full-time staff and known for reliable back-up.
The award, Stuart admits, came as a surprise.
“We were shocked but delighted – we didn’t expect to win it at all,” he says. “It was a great atmosphere on the night. A bit surreal, really. It was our first year being there but we would highly recommend it.”
For the Allans, who run the business while raising daughters Fern (11) and Holly (6), the recognition has already had an impact.
“We’ve never won anything like this before and it’s given both us and the team a bit of recognition,” Jen says.
“With the amount of coverage the awards get, it reaches far and wide. We’ve already had a few manufacturers approach us. Stuart reckons it’ll give people more confidence in us, and that matters when you’re still a relatively young business.”
Service that built a business
The Allans put their rapid growth down to one thing above all else: service.
“Giving a good service has definitely got us to where we are today,” Stuart says. “It’s about knowing how farmers want things done and getting issues sorted as soon as possible so they can get back to work.”
Before launching the dealership, Stuart spent nearly 19 years as a mechanic at a local dealership, experience he says was crucial when he decided to go out on his own. Combined with his apprenticeship training through SRUC Barony College, it gave him solid grounding. Jen, who grew up on a dairy farm and previously worked with SAC Consulting for 10 years, brought her own working knowledge of what customers expect from a dealer.
From the start, word of mouth played a major role.
“Having a good base of loyal customers helped us massively in the early years,” Stuart says. “From there, it’s just built and built.”
A range to stand by
S & J Allan now represent several respected machinery brands, but the Allans insist they only take on lines they can fully stand behind.
They became a Stewart Trailers dealer in 2018, before securing their first major deal with SlurryKat in 2020 – a partnership that remains central to the business. Kidd Farm Machinery joined the line-up in 2022.
Stuart adds: “I’ve always placed a strong emphasis on supporting British-made products, which is why working with companies like Stewart Trailers and Kidd Farm Machinery has been so important to us.”
This spring, they added Irish manufacturer Malone, expanding into grassland equipment after several years of tracking how the kit performed elsewhere.
“We’d been speaking to Malone for about three years,” Stuart says. “Watching their kit out working and making sure it was right for us. We’re looking forward to pushing on with it now. As more of it gets out in Ayrshire, confidence and word of mouth should follow.”
Alongside new machinery, the dealership has also built a strong trade selling ex-hire John Deere tractors from England – something they’ve done since day one and continue to see solid demand for.
With the award drawing new attention, discussions with other manufacturers are underway. “We’re speaking with others and maybe something new will come in the next year,” Jen says.
Behind the scenes
Running a family dealership at pace comes with its own pressures, but the Allans say their team has risen to the occasion.
“Finding skilled mechanics is always important, but we’re fortunate to have a great team in place,” Jen says.
That team includes mechanics David Wilson, Matthew Drummond and David Wilson Jnr; Jimmy Cowan; apprentice Jake Davidson; and in parts, Chloe Barbour. They all have a key part in the business. Jen handles much of the paperwork and admin during school hours.
“We couldn’t do it without everyone,” Stuart says. “The team is what makes the business work.”
Keeping up with demand has also been testing. “Growing rapidly has been a lot to take on board – the last few years have been a bit of a blur,” Stuart admits.
Backup as the backbone
S & J Allan built their reputation on back-up service and maintaining that standard remains the priority as the business grows.
“Customers are working on bigger scales now and relying on us a lot more,” Stuart says. “That means keeping up with diagnostics and having the ability to get out to them quickly.”
The business now runs four service vans, mostly MAN, to ensure coverage during peak times, and Stuart stresses that the aim is always to sell the right product, not simply the one that’s easiest to shift.
They also stock a wide range of fast-moving parts in-store, including genuine John Deere parts and filters, slurry couplings, EXOL oil, Ad-Blue and more, ensuring customers can get what they need without delay.
They also offer warranty on used machinery and carry out demonstrations prior to purchase, a practice Stuart says helps avoid problems down the line.
The road ahead
After the award win, the Allans are keeping their plans steady, concentrating on making internal processes more efficient rather than expanding right away.
“To expand would mean taking on more staff, and they’re hard to come by,” Stuart says. “So for now it’s about making things run smoother.”
Key updates on the horizon include upgrading the parts store’s stock control system and linking it directly to invoicing, as well as introducing a better system for workshop staff to record jobs. They’re also considering installing solar panels on one of the sheds to reduce running costs and improve self-sufficiency.
Three years ago they upgraded their workshop and yard, and are satisfied with the setup for now. But they are planning ahead for a 10th anniversary open day in 2026. This year they also hosted mock auctions for young farmers, something close to their hearts as former Mauchline Young Farmers members.
Shifting market trends
Across Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, Stuart has noticed that smaller farms are returning to using their own machinery to carry out work themselves, rather than relying on outsourcing.
“Shorter weather windows and the size of the acres they’ve got to cover probably comes into it,” he says. “It’s good for us.”
At the same time, rising machinery prices are influencing how farmers approach big decisions.
“Costs going up are definitely a challenge,” Stuart says. “But the big thing remains the same – farmers want good service and good prices. That’s always been the case.”
Reflecting on their journey so far, Stuart and Jen are keen to acknowledge the people who made it possible. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without our customers,” Jen says. “Their support, loyalty and trust over the years have truly got us here, and we can’t thank them enough.”
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