Bobcat signs up on new full-line dealer in Wales
Bobcat has appointed A&M Group, with headquarters in Bridgend, as the company’s new Authorised Dealer for South, West and Mid Wales. A&M Group is now responsible for sales and service in this region for the entire Bobcat range of loaders, mini-excavators, telehandlers, light compaction and attachments.
Newport-based Border Bobcat, the previous dealer for the area, is now specialising in the Bobcat skid-steer, compact track, compact wheel and small articulated loader ranges for the counties of Powys and Gwent.
Andrew Wolton, the new District Manager for Bobcat for the UK South area, commented: “We are delighted to confirm A&M Group as the new full line Bobcat Authorised Dealer for South, West and Mid Wales. I look forward to working closely with A&M Group and we are confident that they will be as successful as a full-liner for the entire Bobcat range as they have been selling the Bobcat agricultural telehandler range in Wales over the last few years.”
A&M Group Makes New Investments to Support Dealership
As part of developments in taking on the Bobcat dealership, A&M Group has purchased two plots on the Brackla Industrial Estate in Bridgend, one of which will form the location for the company’s new headquarters. The new facilities in Bridgend complement the existing operations in St Clears in Carmarthenshire, from where A&M Group serves the west of Wales.
James Atherton, Business Manager at A&M Group, said: “We are very pleased to be appointed as the full dealer for Bobcat in South, West and Mid Wales. We intend to build on the substantial success we have had with the Bobcat agricultural telehandler range in our area. In 2021 alone, we sold over 60 new Bobcat telehandlers to farmers across the region, converting many of them to the Bobcat brand for the first time.
“Our extensive experience in the construction market will be key in meeting our goals. To support the new dealership, we are making substantial investments in our premises in Bridgend, including the construction of our new headquarters building. To meet demand from the growing construction market and other industries in this part of Wales, we have initially ordered over 210 new Bobcat machines.”
Building on Over 35 Years of Experience
A&M Group is a family business founded in 1986 by Mark Atherton, and his business partner, Ralph Morris, trading originally as A&M Engineering. Operating first out of premises in Lower Lamphey in Pembrokeshire, the growth of the business led to the company building new facilities in St Clears in 2006.
The company changed its name to A&M Group in 2019 when the new partnership was formed between Mark Atherton and his two sons, James and Josh.
The business development side is run by James, while Josh runs the sales side. Mark has a third son, Jack, who is currently doing an engineering course at Harper Adams University and is looking forward to joining the business in 2024.
Expansion Ensures Continuous Growth
Although agriculture has always been the primary business, A&M Group has powered growth over the years by adding additional products and services to the business for other sectors such as Construction, Groundcare, Online Retailing and Finance.
James Atherton added: “The number of employees at A&M Group has grown year on year and we continue to look to build our team and improve our services. We have demonstrated time and again that we can convert our large customer base to the brands we represent. We are aiming to achieve the same for the Bobcat brand to match our success with the agricultural telehandlers.”
Bobcat ‘Next is Now’ Boosts Range
Driven by the company’s innovative ‘Next is Now’ programme, the Bobcat product range continues to expand.
Bobcat now offers 11 skid-steer loader models and seven compact track loaders. Most recently, the Bobcat loader selection has been increased with the addition of new compact wheel loaders and small articulated loaders.
The Bobcat range also comprises 17 mini-excavator models and a choice of fifteen new R-Series rigid frame telehandler models and ten new rotary telehandlers, covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 7.0 tonne and maximum lifting heights from 5.9 to 38.9 m.
Another recent addition to the range is a new line of light compaction products, comprising seven different product families and 37 models.
As well as the entire Bobcat range of machines and attachments, A&M Group also offers a full selection of genuine Bobcat accessories and parts to support both new and existing Bobcat customers in its area. This is backed up by a stock of both brand new and second hand Bobcat machines for sale. Customers also benefit from the company’s on-site service network, covering everything from emergency repairs to routine maintenance.
