Brown and Hurley, which started in 1946 and remains a two-family business, has announced the purchase of Case IH machinery dealerships in Ayr, Mackay, Proserpine, Cairns, Innisfail and Tolga.

Despite the change of owner it will be very much ‘business as usual’ for the North Queensland dealerships, albeit with some significant changes to the machinery ranges at a number of locations.

Brown and Hurley CEO Paul Hurley said the purchase marked a continuation of the company’s expansion into the agricultural machinery sector and comes after its purchase of a Case IH dealership in Roma in 2019.

This was followed in 2022 by the purchase of the Mackay Truck Parts and Repairs business that now represents Kenworth and DAF trucks.

“Our business started with agricultural dealers and machinery in the 1940s before moving into the truck section of the market, so we’re enjoying being back in the ag machinery sector and this further expansion into Queensland represents an exciting new chapter,” he said.

“Customers of these six North Queensland dealerships can be assured their machinery and servicing requirements will continue to be top priority, and we look forward to working with them to identify new opportunities for their businesses.”

Brown and Hurley CEO Paul Hurley

CNH Industrial managing director, Australia/New Zealand, Brandon Stannett, said he congratulated Brown and Hurley on the deal and welcomed the addition of the company’s skills and expertise to the CNH Industrial dealer network.

“Brown and Hurley have been a leader in their field for many years, so we know our customers are the big winners here, benefitting from the knowledge and vast experience of the Brown and Hurley team, as well as the changes to the product line-up, which present fresh options for farming businesses in these Queensland locations,” Mr Stannett said.

“Case IH customers in these areas have always enjoyed exceptional support and after-sales service from their local dealership, and that will continue to be the case, with Brown and Hurley renowned for its focus on the customer and their business priorities.”

Alongside the Case IH line-up of farm machinery, the Brown and Hurley dealerships at Ayr, Cairns, Innisfail and Tolga will also start stocking some specialty tractors from New Holland and New Holland Construction, Case IH’s stablemates under the CNH Industrial brand.

New Holland Agriculture, Australia/New Zealand, general manager Bruce Healy said the addition of New Holland machinery to a number of these new Brown and Hurley dealerships was a great move for local farmers, who would now have access to a wider range of machinery.

“These changes to the product line-up are also a recognition of the agricultural diversity of this wider region,” Mr Healy said.

“Now, as the approved local reseller of New Holland specialty tractors, there’s greater choice for local farming operations, and the option for parts and service for existing New Holland customers.”

By Neil Dowling