Dowdeswell Parts Services

[Humding]

Looks like what has remained of the Dowdeswell plough business has gone in to administration as of 12/02/20.

 

[Tim Howard]

That's a shame. It's been a long slow death for them. Things are getting tough in the machinery business and there will be more unfortunately.

 

[Deere 6430]

Only had a few bits off them in Januar, very knowledgeable and helpful. They had masses of parts in stock.

 

[Martin Holden]

The plough business isn’t what it was. Unfortunately like many British brands before them, unless export sales are made, long term viability relying on the home market is doomed. I see the same thing happening in France and many other countries in Europe. To survive, in the contemporary machinery business, you have to be as global as you can, which means developing machines beyond what European customers requirement are.

 

[Flat 10]

The plough business isn’t what it was. Unfortunately like many British brands before them, unless export sales are made, long term viability relying on the home market is doomed. I see the same thing happening in France and many other countries in Europe. To survive, in the contemporary machinery business, you have to be as global as you can, which means developing machines beyond what European customers requirement are.

There was a feature on them in CT one day, apparently send a lot abroad to Japan and other places. I was surprised.

 

[Martin Holden]

Japan is a market where Dowdeswell sold a lot of plastic mouldboard ploughs, so I imagine there would be a decent parts business

 

[rorsday]

So sorry to hear this news...yes, Classic Tractor profiled the business a while ago, and we sincerely hoped it would survive.

 

[Tim Howard]

I think making parts in the uk for export is a non runner, it would be much cheaper the other way round.
The pound and the cost of manufacturing has been to high hear. Energy costs being the main problem,
"Will the last one out please turn off the lights"
Crap is't it.

 

[traineefarmer]

I spoke to Agrihire yesterday and they say they are negotiating with the administrators over purchasing the remaining stock and jigs held at DPS to enable continuation of supply very soon. They already hold the design rights and material specs for the ploughs so even if they aren't successful, they intend to have a full range of UK made wear parts available eventually.

 

[Flat 10]

I spoke to Agrihire yesterday and they say they are negotiating with the administrators over purchasing the remaining stock and jigs held at DPS to enable continuation of supply very soon. They already hold the design rights and material specs for the ploughs so even if they aren't successful, they intend to have a full range of UK made wear parts available eventually.

I hope it works out for them. Good for them trying, can't be easy.

 

[David.]

What's the thing with Hubert then, they look quite Dowdeswell?

 

[nick...]

Think they are pretty much a dowdeswell copy but named after the boss of agri hire.
Nick...

 

[traineefarmer]

What's the thing with Hubert then, they look quite Dowdeswell?

They're based on the later heavy duty 6F+ Dowdeswells (MA145? Not sure on the model numbers) with some design changes to suit lower volume manufacture. I'm pretty sure Agrihire took on one of the head designers from Dowdeswell Engineering when they went under to assist with development.