In recent decades, Mayo has become one of the hubs of Irish agricultural engineering and manufacturing. One of the reasons for this is the success of Agri-Spread International, a Ballyhaunis-based company with over 50 years’ experience that has made a name for itself on the international stage. 
"Approximately 50% of new machines for export are equipped with section control while over 60% of machines destined for the Irish market have section control".
Agri-Spread International employs 40 staff at its base in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.
Products
Agri-Spread’s first product in its agricultural line was a vertical beater manure spreader. It also ventured into slurry tankers before deciding to move into fertiliser, lime and speciality spreaders. In 2010, the company developed and showcased its first fertiliser and lime spreader.
“We worked closely with our UK importer Dales Agri to perfect the trailed spreader. At the time Dales Agri were looking for a product for the UK market. Charlie Halliday from Dales had a great understanding of what the market required and how to get the product to the right customers before we went into full production,” said Agri-Spread International managing director David Murphy.
Today, Agri-Spread offers a full range of vertical beater manure spreaders from 6t single-axle machines up to 26t tandem-axle offerings, while its lime and fertiliser spreaders range from 3t to 20t, again in single- and tandem-axle models.
“The latest addition to our range has been the 2000 series (AS2) spreaders with the optional section control which was launched nearly two years ago. Approximately 50% of new machines for export are equipped with section control while over 60% of machines destined for the Irish market have section control. The demand for this spec of a spreader in Ireland has been greatly improved by recent TAMS II grants and the demand for savings in fertiliser,” said David.
He said the firm’s next release will be an addition to its range of rear beater manure spreaders. Although saying the firm is developing a number of new offerings for the home market, David would only say its function will be spreading or applying products. Agri-Spread will for the minute continue to build just trailed machines – but hasn’t ruled out building a mounted spreader. 
“We have a large number of machines currently working in Canada, some of which are spreaders mounted on AGCO Terragators".
Markets
South Africa was the firm’s first major export market outside of Ireland and the UK. Soon after, the Mayo company broke into Holland, Belgium, France, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Russia and Spain.
“One of the latest additions to our team is Terry Reilly, our business development manager at Agri-Spread. He has extensive experience with large-scale corporate agribusinesses in senior farm management roles in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the UK. Terry has been involved in the development of machinery dealerships in Australia and South Africa. He is on board to assist Agri-Spread International in expanding our business and developing new and existing markets and products worldwide”, said David. “Australia is now one of our biggest export markets. With the help of our importer, we have over 40 dealer locations all over the country which sell our products. The typical machine going into this market has weigh cells, is Isobus ready, and is certified to spread urea at 36m. This is because controlled farm trafficking has taken off in recent years.”
The firm entered the Canadian market in 2015. “We have a large number of machines currently working in Canada, some of which are spreaders mounted on AGCO Terragators. It’s a vast market where we see huge potential to grow. We have just set up dealers in Spain and Russia and have demo units working in both countries. We’re hoping to develop the North American market over the coming years as well as Eastern Europe,” said David. 
David noted, “People are always hungry for new products. Exhibiting at international shows has been our shop window for meeting new dealers and importers from countries all over the world.
Opportunities and threats
“People are always hungry for new products,” the Agri-Spread boss said. “Exhibiting at international shows has been our shop window for meeting new dealers and importers from countries all over the world. To meet the growing demand, we have significantly invested in our manufacturing facilities in recent years. We’re lucky to have established such a strong and growing worldwide dealer network.”
Recent investments at the factory have included an overhead production line which transfers machines from the welding area through to the shotblast room, to a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled paint application and oven system. “Our machines are dealing with some of the most corrosive products you can handle so a high-quality paint finish is critical,” said David.
“There will always be threats. There’s a huge uncertainty at the minute with both Brexit and COVID-19. I don’t think we have seen the effects of COVID-19 on businesses yet and probably won’t until early next year. There is a lot of uncertainties around both beef and dairy markets worldwide. It’s also difficult to get good hands-on skilled labour – this is something which will force us to go more and more down the line of automation on our factory floor.”
Agri-Spread build truck mounted bodies which are also working worldwide.
Future
“Over the next four to five years we will be focusing on continuing to develop our range of lime and fertiliser spreaders. We want to be known for building the best spreader on the market and offer the best service to our customers that we can. We see huge potential for this type of product in developing markets and will continue to pursue these. For now, we will be focusing on machines that spread and apply products, but we do have a number of product designs on the table but market demand is what will be the real driver going forward”, concluded David.
Agri-Spread International is a family run business. Three brothers, David, Marcus and Dermot Murphy handle the day to day running of the firm with their father Mark, who is still involved and keeping a close eye on all developments. 
Agri-Spread have over 40 dealer locations all over Australia which sell its products.
Although established in 2006, Agri-Spread has a history steeped in engineering. It was in fact Mark Murphy and his brother John that established Major Grasscare back in the 1970s. This meant the three brothers grew up working and learning all aspects of the manufacturing and production processes.
Upon setting up Agri-Spread, the brothers began manufacturing parts, sub-assemblies, and even fully finished machines for some local manufacturers. With the Celtic Tiger in full swing at the time, the family put a lot of time and effort in researching and developing a mini crusher and screener for the quarrying sector.
With the product ready to enter production just as the downturn arrived, the family made the decision to move back to what they knew best – the agricultural sector.
Profile
Business: Agri-Spread.
Established:
2006.
Managing director: David Murphy.
Employees: 40.
Address: Coolnaha, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.
Markets to date:
nine.
"For now, we will be focusing on machines that spread and apply products, but we do have a number of product designs on the table but market demand is what will be the real driver going forward”, concluded David.
In recent decades, Mayo has become one of the hubs of Irish agricultural engineering and manufacturing. One of the reasons for this is the success of Agri-Spread International, a Ballyhaunis-based company with over 50 years’ experience that has made a name for itself on the international stage.
"Approximately 50% of new machines for export are equipped with section control while over 60% of machines destined for the Irish market have section control".
Agri-Spread International employs 40 staff at its base in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.
Products
Agri-Spread’s first product in its agricultural line was a vertical beater manure spreader. It also ventured into slurry tankers before deciding to move into fertiliser, lime and speciality spreaders. In 2010, the company developed and showcased its first fertiliser and lime spreader.
“We worked closely with our UK importer Dales Agri to perfect the trailed spreader. At the time Dales Agri were looking for a product for the UK market. Charlie Halliday from Dales had a great understanding of what the market required and how to get the product to the right customers before we went into full production,” said Agri-Spread International managing director David Murphy.
Today, Agri-Spread offers a full range of vertical beater manure spreaders from 6t single-axle machines up to 26t tandem-axle offerings, while its lime and fertiliser spreaders range from 3t to 20t, again in single- and tandem-axle models.
“The latest addition to our range has been the 2000 series (AS2) spreaders with the optional section control which was launched nearly two years ago. Approximately 50% of new machines for export are equipped with section control while over 60% of machines destined for the Irish market have section control. The demand for this spec of a spreader in Ireland has been greatly improved by recent TAMS II grants and the demand for savings in fertiliser,” said David.
He said the firm’s next release will be an addition to its range of rear beater manure spreaders. Although saying the firm is developing a number of new offerings for the home market, David would only say its function will be spreading or applying products. Agri-Spread will for the minute continue to build just trailed machines – but hasn’t ruled out building a mounted spreader.
“We have a large number of machines currently working in Canada, some of which are spreaders mounted on AGCO Terragators".
Markets
South Africa was the firm’s first major export market outside of Ireland and the UK. Soon after, the Mayo company broke into Holland, Belgium, France, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Russia and Spain.
“One of the latest additions to our team is Terry Reilly, our business development manager at Agri-Spread. He has extensive experience with large-scale corporate agribusinesses in senior farm management roles in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the UK. Terry has been involved in the development of machinery dealerships in Australia and South Africa. He is on board to assist Agri-Spread International in expanding our business and developing new and existing markets and products worldwide”, said David. “Australia is now one of our biggest export markets. With the help of our importer, we have over 40 dealer locations all over the country which sell our products. The typical machine going into this market has weigh cells, is Isobus ready, and is certified to spread urea at 36m. This is because controlled farm trafficking has taken off in recent years.”
The firm entered the Canadian market in 2015. “We have a large number of machines currently working in Canada, some of which are spreaders mounted on AGCO Terragators. It’s a vast market where we see huge potential to grow. We have just set up dealers in Spain and Russia and have demo units working in both countries. We’re hoping to develop the North American market over the coming years as well as Eastern Europe,” said David.
David noted, “People are always hungry for new products. Exhibiting at international shows has been our shop window for meeting new dealers and importers from countries all over the world.
Opportunities and threats
“People are always hungry for new products,” the Agri-Spread boss said. “Exhibiting at international shows has been our shop window for meeting new dealers and importers from countries all over the world. To meet the growing demand, we have significantly invested in our manufacturing facilities in recent years. We’re lucky to have established such a strong and growing worldwide dealer network.”
Recent investments at the factory have included an overhead production line which transfers machines from the welding area through to the shotblast room, to a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled paint application and oven system. “Our machines are dealing with some of the most corrosive products you can handle so a high-quality paint finish is critical,” said David.
“There will always be threats. There’s a huge uncertainty at the minute with both Brexit and COVID-19. I don’t think we have seen the effects of COVID-19 on businesses yet and probably won’t until early next year. There is a lot of uncertainties around both beef and dairy markets worldwide. It’s also difficult to get good hands-on skilled labour – this is something which will force us to go more and more down the line of automation on our factory floor.”
Agri-Spread build truck mounted bodies which are also working worldwide.
Future
“Over the next four to five years we will be focusing on continuing to develop our range of lime and fertiliser spreaders. We want to be known for building the best spreader on the market and offer the best service to our customers that we can. We see huge potential for this type of product in developing markets and will continue to pursue these. For now, we will be focusing on machines that spread and apply products, but we do have a number of product designs on the table but market demand is what will be the real driver going forward”, concluded David.
Agri-Spread International is a family run business. Three brothers, David, Marcus and Dermot Murphy handle the day to day running of the firm with their father Mark, who is still involved and keeping a close eye on all developments.
Agri-Spread have over 40 dealer locations all over Australia which sell its products.
Although established in 2006, Agri-Spread has a history steeped in engineering. It was in fact Mark Murphy and his brother John that established Major Grasscare back in the 1970s. This meant the three brothers grew up working and learning all aspects of the manufacturing and production processes.
Upon setting up Agri-Spread, the brothers began manufacturing parts, sub-assemblies, and even fully finished machines for some local manufacturers. With the Celtic Tiger in full swing at the time, the family put a lot of time and effort in researching and developing a mini crusher and screener for the quarrying sector.
With the product ready to enter production just as the downturn arrived, the family made the decision to move back to what they knew best – the agricultural sector.
Profile
Business: Agri-Spread.
Established:
2006.
Managing director: David Murphy.
Employees: 40.
Address: Coolnaha, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.
Markets to date:
nine.
"For now, we will be focusing on machines that spread and apply products, but we do have a number of product designs on the table but market demand is what will be the real driver going forward”, concluded David.
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