Paddy Callan is one of the gentlemen of the machinery business. He spent what seems like a lifetime serving on the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Council helping and encouraging other businesses in the industry. When Paddy spoke, others listened.
Paddy and his wife, Josie set up the company in 1973 and its beginnings were humble – a small shed on the Kells Road in Ardee town. Their first agencies were Teagle cement mixers and yard scrapers followed by Fiskars ploughs, which sold very well. Then, in 1976 they took on the agency for PZ mowers and haybobs, in the early 1980s they took on the Ford tractor agency – later to become New Holland – and they kept this brand until 1999. As the years moved on, Paddy expanded the business and the shop on the Kells Road site, and by the mid '90s, his son John joined the team.
Following a trip to a European show, Paddy picked up the agency for the South Korean tractor brand Kioti, which is very well known in the compact tractor market and has done very well for them over the years.
Then came one of their flagship agencies, Einbock, which manufactures mechanical welders and hoes and much more besides. As the industry moves away from chemical usage on farms the Einbock range is now coming more to the fore for PJ Callan.
The premises again underwent development in 2010 with extension of the workshop and modern store space. John now runs the business with a team of eight staff in one of the best-stocked stores in the country, attracting both agricultural and non-agricultural customers, alike. Irish Farmers Monthly wishes the Callan family a very happy business birthday.
