126-year-old agricultural equipment business relocates to Macclesfield

Barlow’s of Henbury Ltd, the family-run agricultural equipment supplier, has moved into new premises after securing £800k funding from Yorkshire Bank.

The Cheshire firm has relocated to an 8.5-acre site in Macclesfield from its former base in Henbury, where it operated for 60 years.

With Barlow’s predicting a rise in footfall due to the new site’s increased transport links, the company now plans to double its turnover from £4m to £8m over the next four years and create three new jobs in 2016.

The firm’s owner, James Barlow: “We’re a small business that operates effectively together as a team and we’re all committed to growing the company.

“I believe this attitude combined with the increased traffic we will experience at our new site will enable us to reach our goal of doubling our turnover by 2020.”

James continued: “Yorkshire Bank has firmly supported our business over the last decade, helping us get to where we are today.

“The agricultural industry is completely different from anything else and receiving a personalised service from the team that comes with strong sector knowledge has been highly beneficial.”

The Yorkshire Bank funding, arranged by relationship manager Stephen Cox, enabled the business to purchase and redevelop the Macclesfield site.

The head of Yorkshire Bank’s Manchester-based business and private banking centre, Sean Williams, said: “We saw the significant potential increase in business activity this move could bring for Barlow’s, so we provided extended support for the cost of the property.

“We are proud to have supported the move which will allow the company to progress even further.”

He added: “As economic conditions continue to improve, Yorkshire Bank remains focused on supporting the growth ambitions of businesses in the North West.”

Founded in 1890 by James Barlow’s great-great grandfather, Joseph Aaron Barlow, the firm today employs a team of 14 and supplies agricultural equipment such as tractors to farming businesses.

Following the move, Barlow’s will expand its range to include country and hunting supplies.