Cheffins expands Machinery Division with the appointment of James Beaton as Auction Representative

Cheffins, which conducts the largest monthly sale of tractors and agricultural machinery in the Europe, is expanding its Machinery Division with the appointment of James Beaton as Auction Representative. James

Cheffins, which conducts the largest monthly sale of tractors and agricultural machinery in the Europe, is expanding its Machinery Division with the appointment of James Beaton as Auction Representative.

James joins Cheffins from a Field Sales Manager role at agricultural machinery dealership Oliver Agriculture Ltd. This role involved dealing directly with the farming customers and machinery manufacturers and importers. At Cheffins, James’s role will be to focus on consignments of agricultural and plant machinery from farmers and contractors from across the UK.

Led by Bill King and Oliver Godfrey, Cheffins’ dominance of the second-hand sector has gone from strength to strength, with record breaking sales in the first quarter of 2023, which saw over £25m-worth of machinery go under the hammer either via Cheffins monthly auction or via on site sales.

Bill King, Chairman at Cheffins comments: “James, with his in-depth knowledge of agricultural machinery and significant connections within the farming community, will provide an essential connection between farmers and contractors looking to sell up surplus stock and our team based here at Sutton. As the monthly machinery sale continues to grow, we could see the real merit of having someone ‘on the ground’ who could go and meet clients and help with the consignment process. I have no doubts that James will help the machinery division consistently provide a brilliant service for both buyers and sellers from across the UK and further afield.”

James Beaton, Auction Representative at Cheffins comments:

“I am excited to be joining the Cheffins machinery team which deals with some of the most exciting sales in the sector. I look forward to being able to meet Cheffins diverse range of clients, from farmers and one man bands to some of the largest machinery dealers in the UK, as well as introducing some new customers to the sale ground at Sutton. Coming from a local farming family, I have a good understanding of the farming sector and their machinery needs, as well as the importance of being able to convert redundant surplus kit into cash, quickly and efficiently.”

Cheffins monthly Cambridge Machinery Sales has seen stock levels increase in the past six months, moving in line with the growth in average lot price. Sales on average have increased by 40 per cent in terms of total value in comparison to 2022, with the strength of the export market ensuring that prices have continued to rise. The successes of the monthly machinery auction have also been buoyed by regular on-site sales, hosted by the Cheffins team for farmers and contractors across the country, with multiple auctions seeing six-figure totals across both the modern machinery and vintage sectors.

For further information, contact the Cheffins Rural Professionals Department on 01223 213777 – camb.agric@cheffins.co.uk.