Ernest Doe & Sons

What Ernest Doe & Sons does

Ernest Doe & Sons is a family-owned UK agricultural, construction and groundcare machinery dealership operating 19 branches across East Anglia, East Midlands and South East England, founded in 1898 and now led by fifth-generation Managing Director Angus Doe. The company is an authorised dealer for major manufacturers including Case IH, New Holland, CASE Construction Equipment, Merlo, Dalbo, Pöttinger, AVR, Thwaites, Bomag, Ransomes, Jacobsen and Husqvarna, supplying tractors, combines, balers, telehandlers, construction equipment, professional turf machinery, and specialist vegetable and viticulture equipment. It generates revenue primarily through one-time capital equipment sales across agricultural, construction, groundcare, specialist vegetable and domestic segments, supplemented by recurring aftermarket parts and service revenue (including the DOE+ extended warranty program), country store retail through branches and shop.ernestdoe.com, equipment hire (Pro Groundcare Hire), and used machinery sales. The company reaches customers via field sales teams at each branch, an annual Doe Show event held at its Ulting headquarters since 1960, regional branch open days, and digital channels including website, social media and email; it does not develop proprietary technology but distributes AI-enabled OEM equipment such as Farmdroid autonomous robots and Ecorobotix precision sprayers.

Name

Ernest Doe & Sons

Legal name

Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd

Website

https://ernestdoe.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Ernest Doe & Sons is a family-owned UK agricultural, construction and groundcare machinery dealership operating 19 branches across East Anglia, East Midlands and South East England, distributing Case IH, New Holland, CASE Construction and other major brands to farmers, contractors and groundcare professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Maldon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Agricultural Machinery Sales: Sale of new and used agricultural equipment including tractors, combines, balers, telehandlers, and implements from Case IH, New Holland, and other franchises. Revenue generated from product sales with both one-time transactions and fleet management services.
2. Construction Equipment Sales: Sale of construction machinery including excavators, dumpers, compactors, and attachments from CASE Construction Equipment, Thwaites, Bomag, and other brands.
3. Groundcare Machinery Sales: Sale of professional and domestic groundcare equipment including ride-on mowers, turf equipment, and related machinery from Ransomes, Jacobsen, Iseki, Husqvarna, and other brands.
4. Parts and Service: Aftermarket parts supply, servicing, repair, and maintenance services for all equipment sold. Parts supply supported by manufacturer distribution centres including CASE's UK facility in Daventry.
5. Country Store Retail: Retail sales of tools, clothing, footwear, Calor Gas, and other rural lifestyle products through 19 branch country stores and online shop.
6. Specialist Vegetable Machinery: Specialist equipment for vegetable, salad, and root crop growers including AVR machinery for potato sector.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ernest Doe & Sons is a UK agricultural, construction, and groundcare machinery dealership that sells, distributes, and services new and used branded equipment from major OEMs (Case IH, New Holland, CASE Construction, Merlo, DalBo, Pöttinger, AVR, Thwaites, Bomag, Epiroc, Ransomes, Jacobsen, Husqvarna, STIHL, and others) through 19 branches across East Anglia, East Midlands, and South East England. It complements machinery sales with parts supply, repair and maintenance services, an online country store for tools/clothing/footwear, used equipment sales, and a professional groundcare hire service.

Product overview

Ernest Doe & Sons is a major UK agricultural, construction, and groundcare machinery dealership operating 19 branches across East Anglia, East Midlands and South East England. The company offers a diverse portfolio of branded machinery through exclusive dealer agreements. In agriculture, the core offerings include Case IH tractors (50-700+HP), combines, balers, telehandlers and front loaders alongside New Holland tractors, combines, balers and telehandlers, complemented by implements from DalBo, LEMKEN, Pöttinger, KRM, and specialist equipment from Farmdroid, Horizon Agriculture, and AVR for vegetable growing. The construction division covers CASE Construction Equipment (appointed 2026 for South East), Merlo telehandlers, Thwaites dumpers, Bomag compaction equipment, Epiroc attachments, and Atlas Copco compressors. Groundcare products include Ransomes and Jacobsen turf equipment, Husqvarna, Iseki, and battery-powered solutions from Mean Green Mowers. The company also operates e-commerce through its Online Country Store and provides equipment hire, parts, service and DOE+ extended warranty programs. The annual Doe Show is the UK's largest agricultural, construction and groundcare dealer event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Doe Show: Annual agricultural, construction and groundcare machinery dealer event held at the company's headquarters since 1960, the largest such show in the UK.
• DOE+

Products and services

• Case IH Agricultural Equipment Range Full line of Case IH agricultural machinery including tractors (Farmall, Vestrum, Luxxum, Maxxum, Puma, Quadtrac/Steiger from 50HP to over 700HP), Axial-Flow combine harvesters, round and square balers, Farmlift telehandlers (5.7m-9.1m reach), and LRZ front loaders, distributed to commercial farms and contractors across East Anglia, East Midlands and South East England through Ernest Doe Power branches and dual franchised locations.
• New Holland Agricultural Equipment Range New Holland agricultural machinery including T4-T8 and T7 HD tractors with PLM Intelligence, CR Revelation and CR11 combine harvesters with Twin Rotor technology, round and square balers, telehandlers, and the FR Forage Cruiser self-propelled forage harvester. Ernest Doe is New Holland's largest UK dealer with a partnership dating to 1957 when Ford was adopted as exclusive tractor franchise.
• Agricultural Implements Range (DalBo, LEMKEN, Pöttinger, KRM, Horizon Agriculture, MacDon, Richard Western, Maschio, Marshall, Shelbourne Reynolds, Spearhead, Goweil) Distributed range of agricultural implements including DalBo rollers and cultivators (15-year partnership, European Dealer of the Year for 7 consecutive years), LEMKEN tillage and seed drills, Pöttinger mowing/tedding/raking equipment, KRM, Horizon Agriculture precision seed drills, MacDon, Richard Western trailers, Maschio, Marshall Trailers, Shelbourne Reynolds, Spearhead and Goweil balers and wrappers, sold to farms and contractors alongside the main tractor franchises.
• Precision Farming Equipment (Farmdroid, Precision Farming Category) Precision farming technology including the Farmdroid autonomous farming robot for weed removal and seeding operations, and broader precision farming solutions targeted at commercial farms seeking to reduce inputs and labour costs.
• CASE Construction Equipment Range Full range of CASE Construction Equipment supplied to construction contractors and plant-hire operators across the South East UK including London, East Anglia, and parts of the Midlands, supported by CASE's UK parts distribution centre in Daventry.
• Merlo Telehandler Range Merlo telehandlers, Europe's leading specialist telehandler manufacturer, sold through Ernest Doe construction and agricultural channels across the 19-branch network following expansion of the dealer partnership in 2025-2026.
• Construction Equipment Range (Thwaites, Bomag, Epiroc, Atlas Copco, New Holland Construction) Construction equipment range including Thwaites dumpers (10 supplied to Tamdown Group in 2024), Bomag compactors and rollers, Epiroc hydraulic breakers and excavator attachments, Atlas Copco compressors and generators, and New Holland Construction equipment, sold to construction contractors and plant-hire operators.
• Professional Groundcare Equipment Range (Ransomes, Jacobsen, Husqvarna, Iseki, STIHL, Wessex, Mean Green, Wiedenmann, GKB, Kawasaki, Kersten, Spider, Ferris, Team Sprayers, Gambetti, Logic, Honda, Eco Charger, New Holland Compact) Professional turf and groundcare equipment including Ransomes and Jacobsen turf maintenance equipment for golf courses and sports grounds, Husqvarna, Iseki, STIHL, Wessex, Ferris and Honda professional mowers, Mean Green battery-powered mowers, Wiedenmann, GKB, Kersten, Spider, Team Sprayers, Gambetti, Logic, Eco Charger, Kawasaki and Honda ATV/UTV products, golf carts and utility vehicles, distributed to golf clubs, sports facilities, local authorities and landscaping contractors.
• Specialist Vegetable Machinery Range (AVR, Agrator, Agriplanter, Ecorobotix, Samon, Sieger, Tumoba, Verhoest, Wifo) Specialist machinery for vegetable, salad, root crop (potato) and similar growers including AVR planting and harvesting equipment for the potato sector, Agrator, Agriplanter, Ecorobotix, Samon, Sieger drain jet, Tumoba, Verhoest, and Wifo machinery.
• Viticulture Equipment Range (Case IH and New Holland Fruit & Vineyard Tractors, Dondi, Ideal Sprayers, Berthoud, KRM, Fleming, Teagle, Marshall, Provitis, Berti) Viticulture and orchard equipment including Case IH and New Holland narrow-track fruit and vineyard tractors, Dondi fruit and vineyard cultivators, Ideal Sprayers, Berthoud inter-row sprayers, KRM fruit and vine spreaders, Fleming trailers and rotary mowers, Teagle flail and inter-vine mowers, Marshall fruit and vineyard trailers, Provitis pruning and leaf removers, and Berti inter-vine mowers and pulverisers.
• Domestic Garden Machinery Range (Husqvarna Automowers, Lawn Mowers, Ride-on Mowers, Garden Tractors, Chainsaws, Hedge Trimmers, Strimmers, Pressure Washers, Blowers, Shredders, Generators, Garden Tools) Consumer garden machinery including Husqvarna Automowers, lawn mowers, speciality mowers, ride-on mowers, garden tractors, blowers and vacs, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, shredders, strimmers, pressure washers, generators and water pumps, garden tools, and dedicated parts and servicing. Served through branch country stores and the online shop.
• Ernest Doe Online Country Store E-commerce platform (shop.ernestdoe.com) selling country store products, garden machinery, tools, clothing, footwear, and accessories to rural consumers, with an eBay storefront also operated.
• Used Machinery Sales Pre-owned agricultural, construction, and groundcare machinery sold through dedicated online platforms (used.ernestdoe.com) and across the 19-branch network, with separate listings for agricultural, construction, and groundcare used equipment.
• Pro Groundcare Hire Service Short-term rental of professional groundcare equipment to commercial customers including contractors, golf courses, sports facilities and local authorities, complementing sales of new and used groundcare machinery.
• Parts and Service Aftersales Support Comprehensive parts supply, repair, and maintenance services for all brands of equipment sold, supported by manufacturer distribution centres including CASE's UK facility in Daventry, with the DOE+ extended warranty / customer service program offering enhanced support and benefits to repeat customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• DALBO European Dealer of the Year - 7th consecutive year (2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• CASE Construction EquipmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 April 2026Appointed as new authorised dealer for the south east of the United Kingdom, covering 16 counties including London, East Anglia, and parts of the Midlands. Partnership designed to reinforce CASE's market presence by providing end-to-end sales, parts, and service support across the full construction equipment range. Parts supply supported by CASE's UK distribution centre in Daventry.
• New HollandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor UK distributor for New Holland agricultural equipment including tractors, combines, balers, and telehandlers. Ernest Doe is New Holland's largest dealer in the UK, serving East Anglia farming community with over 60 years of partnership history dating back to 1957 when they adopted Ford as exclusive tractor franchise.
• Case IHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor UK distributor for Case IH agricultural equipment. One of the largest Case IH dealers in the UK through network of Ernest Doe Power branches plus dual franchised branches at Littleport, Sutterton and North Kyme. Sales area extends from Lincolnshire to Sussex serving East Anglia, South East England and East Midlands.
• DalbocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor15-year partnership as DALBO dealer for agricultural rollers and cultivators. Awarded DALBO European Dealer of the Year for 7th consecutive year in 2025.
• AVR MachineryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointed as AVR Machinery dealer in August 2025, expanding vegetable machinery range with partnership in the potato sector for specialist planting and harvesting equipment.
• MerlocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMerlo, Europe's leading specialist telehandler manufacturer, appointed Ernest Doe as authorised dealer initially for construction division in September 2025, then expanded the partnership to extend telehandler range from construction into the full network of 19 branches for agricultural use in January 2026.
• Writtle University CollegestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launched between Writtle University College, CNH Industrial and Ernest Doe & Sons to address the skills gap for specialist engineers within the agriculture sector. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met apprentices from this program at Writtle University College in September 2023.
• CNH IndustrialstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Writtle University College and Ernest Doe to address skills gap for specialist agricultural engineers. CNH Industrial is the parent company of Case IH and New Holland, both of which Ernest Doe represents.
• Burdens GroupminorOthersErnest Doe acquired assets from Burdens Group through pre-pack agreements following the collapse of the dealership in August 2024. Also acquired two Burdens Group branches in southern Lincolnshire to expand geographic coverage.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cervus Equipment (Brandt Tractor): Large North American agricultural, construction and commercial equipment dealer group (now operating as Brandt). Comparable scaled multi-brand dealership platform demonstrating the consolidation and operating model potential for a large UK dealer like Ernest Doe.
• Mole Valley Farmers: UK farmer-owned agricultural supply cooperative operating a large network of country stores and direct-to-farm services. Overlaps with Ernest Doe's Country Store retail and rural lifestyle product offering, though distribution model is cooperative rather than franchise-dealer.

Direct peers

• Chandlers Farm Equipment: Major UK-wide Case IH agricultural machinery dealer group with multiple branches across England. Operates the same Case IH franchise model as Ernest Doe with similar agricultural-equipment focus and parts/service offering.
• Ben Burgess & Co: Established agricultural machinery dealer headquartered in East Anglia, holding overlapping Case IH / New Holland franchises. Direct competitor in the same territory with similar product breadth across tractors, combines and groundcare.
• Lister Wilder: Southern England groundcare, agricultural and construction equipment dealer group. Directly comparable multi-branch distribution model covering professional turf, compact tractors and small plant — a key competitor in Ernest Doe's Groundcare and Construction divisions.
• Rickerby: Northern England agricultural machinery dealer group with branches across Cumbria, the North East and Scotland. Operates a similar full-line Case IH and complementary-brand dealership model with strong parts, service and precision farming offering.
• Hunt Forest Group: Southern England agricultural, construction and groundcare machinery dealer operating across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Comparable multi-branch, multi-segment dealership with similar brand portfolio and customer base.
• Farol Ltd: Midlands and South of England John Deere agricultural and groundcare dealer group with multiple branches. A comparable multi-branch dealership competing for premium-brand franchise rights and large-fleet customers in adjacent UK regions.
• RW Crawford Agricultural Machinery: South East England Case IH agricultural machinery dealer with overlapping territory in Sussex, Kent and the surrounding counties. Competes directly with Ernest Doe for both Case IH sales and Case Construction / groundcare customers.
• Cornthwaite Group: Northern England agricultural and groundcare machinery dealer representing Fendt, Massey Ferguson and other premium franchises. Comparable multi-brand dealership business model with branch network, parts/service and used-equipment operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ernestdoesons
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2BciFSGKdhEs46XZlp3oLQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/EDUlting
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ernest-doe-&-sons-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/ernestdoeagriculture/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ernest Doe & Sons