Toro dealer Cheshire Turf Machinery, based in Stockport near Manchester, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. 

Steve Halley, managing director at Cheshire Turf Machinery, centre, with Peter McGreevy, sales director, left, and Mark Woodward, service director

Toro, and its UK distributor, have been involved with Cheshire Turf Machinery for at least the last quarter of a century and some time before that, as managing director, Steve Halley explains: “Initially set up as Cheshire Light Tractors in 1956 selling garden machinery and turf equipment, the company was bought by Flymo in 1980 and then by myself and my business partners in 1996. At that point, Toro was already a staple part of the business and Lely supported us with demo equipment when we took over. We changed the name to better suit the ethos of the business in the supply and servicing of professional turf equipment and set our focus on a mainly sports based portfolio of customers."

“The company has been through many changes, but one thing that has remained the same is our relationship with Toro and its UK distributor Lely, then Reesink.”

Steve says: “Toro has been involved in so many milestones over the last quarter of a century. Toro was our first machine sold and our 1000th, and when we decided to branch out into the market sector of councils and sports field mowers in 2013, becoming agents for the Toro Groundscare range enabled us to do that.”
 
In addition, Toro has also helped in the company’s expansion and as a result of continued sales growth they awarded Cheshire Turf Machinery with extra sales and service territory for its commercial golf mowers and equipment, primarily to cover South Yorkshire, culminating in the formation of Yorkshire Turf Machinery. 

The other major contributing factor to the company’s success according to Steve is the experienced team. “Our staff are good at thinking on their feet, thinking laterally to solve our customer’s problems. It was really highlighted in 2020 just how much they care, and I can’t thank them enough for that as well as all their hard work over the years.”

Excellent staff retention means the company can call on over 200 years of industry experience. Special mention goes to company secretary, Bob Smithson. Steve says his wisdom and business acumen has helped guide the company from inception to present and his influence cannot be overstated: “Bob has been instrumental in the success of the business.” 

Also key, has been the company’s ability to tailor flexible finance packages to specifically meet customer requirements.

Other company highlights include the successful relationship forged with football clubs such as Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as Preston, Blackburn and Oldham.