The board of Burden Bros Agri Ltd, John Deere’s main dealer for Kent, East Sussex and parts of Surrey have decided to sell the business to neighbouring John Deere dealer P Tuckwell Ltd.

Heads of Terms have been agreed and signed by both parties and the process is now underway to complete the business sale over the coming months.

The full terms of the agreement are not being disclosed but the decision by the Burden Bros Agri board has the full support and approval of John Deere Ltd.

This proposed sale does not involve any other businesses in the BB⁴ Group of Companies.

Burden Bros say the intention is that all employees will transfer as part of the sale and the three existing branch locations at Stockbury and Ivychurch in Kent and Framfield in East Sussex will be retained.

“I, along with my three brothers are extremely proud of what we, as a team at Burden Bros Agri Ltd, have achieved since establishing the dealership with John Deere in 2007,” says joint business owner Dale Burden.

“We have built a strong agricultural and turf business throughout the south east of England and come a long way in a short period of time. In light of recent announcements from John Deere regarding their European dealer strategy and recognising some of the benefits scale can bring, we felt the time was right to consolidate the business with a fellow local dealer.

"We have a close relationship with P Tuckwell and share similar values. Whilst it will be difficult to relinquish the reins, we know the business will be in good hands. The combined dealership will be in a strong position to make the future investments required, proactively support our customers, develop our team and continue growing.”