Claas year as Sellars Agriculture enjoys sales boost

One of Scotland’s main Claas dealers enjoyed a boost in sales and profits last year.

Accounts for Sellars Agriculture, which is headquartered in Oldmeldrum, reveal sales of £37.829 million for the year to September 30 2019. This is up from £30.5m the year before.

Accounts filed with Companies House also reveal the firm, which also has bases at Forres, Huntly, Cupar, Perth, and Letham, posted an increase in pre-tax profits to £780,384, from £724,282 previously.

Managing director Neil Wattie said last year’s sales boost was down to increased spending among the company’s arable customers, including an increase in combine sales.

“We have had a very busy winter and the first six months of the year were really busy,” added Mr Wattie.

“Everybody was spending money across the whole sector – for example, we sold a lot more straw bedders this winter.”

He said the coronavirus pandemic had slowed down sales, but not to the extent of other sectors as farm businesses had continued to operate.

Mr Wattie said he expected sales for this year to drop back to 2018 levels.