A FAMILY BUSINESS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH We started small, very small…and we’ve managed to keep that special feeling you get when everyone is on the same journey. At our heart is the fact we’re a family business but more important are the family values that sit alongside this – knowing that you’re there for each other and its in the times of need that everyone really steps up. With one hundred and twenty people in the family its great to see what’s been achieved over the seventy years – the highlights of which are below: ESTABLISHED 1947 Tractors & Farm Aids (TFA) is founded by George Scott and begins selling and supporting the Massey Ferguson range of Agricultural machinery from its base in Reading, Berkshire. At the time there was only one MF dealership smaller than ourselves...and they were on the Channel Islands. NEW BEGINNINGS IN OXFORDSHIRE 1982 Walter Wilder, based in Wallingford, relinquished the Massey Ferguson dealership for Oxfordshire. This was our first opportunity to really grow under the ownership and very successful partnership of Scott & King who were able to purchase the premises and take on the majority of the Walter Wilder team. TFA ACQUIRES LISTER FARM SALES 1987 Lister Farm Sales, Massey Ferguson dealers for Gloucestershire, are looking to pull out of the industry and an agreement is reached with TFA. Remembering this was the time before the internet, mobile phones and generally the world was less connected and so the companies continued to operate as TFA, Walter Wilder and Lister Farm Sales albeit all under the same family ownership. EXPANDING INTO GROUNDCARE 1995 Our Groundcare division is formed and soon after the Kubota franchise is added - this immediately accelerates our growth and Reading becomes the new hub for this business INTRODUCING LISTER WILDER 2000 A decision is taken to combine the strength of the 'Lister' name in the West with the reputation of 'Wilder' in the East, and the company is renamed as Lister Wilder - So Tractors & Farm Aids disappears but a sensible move that keeps a nod to our history whilst also recognising the more diverse nature of our offering. INTRODUCING CONSTRUCTION 2001 With Agriculture and Groundcare now thriving, the decision was made to move into the supply and support of Construction machinery - essentially mini excavators. Again, the Kubota range was soon added and the business has steadily grown with the team now selling around 700 units a year. MOVING INTO ARBORICULTURE 2002 The Arboriculture division is formed and is built around the Timberwolf, Stihl and Husqvarna franchises. This small, dedicated team deal with tree surgeons and contractors to supply and support this specialist kit. NEW BRANCH OPENING IN GUILDFORD 2004 With London and Surrey being such a heavily populated area, a decision was taken to open a new branch in Ockham, near Guildford. Sited just off the A3, it acts as a great hub for our Sales, Service and Parts team to serve the surrounding area. BRISTOL BRANCH EXPANDS TO FULL POTENTIAL 2008 A service centre is opened on the outskirts of Bristol that grows steadily to become a fully-fledged branch along with sales and parts support. ASHFORD OPENS ITS DOORS 2009 Our Ashford branch opens its doors, initially focusing on Groundcare machinery before expanding and becoming a Kubota construction centre as well. WINNING AWARDS 2012 We are awarded the prestigious Gold Service Award from Kubota along with the Service Dealer - Groundcare Dealer of the Year. SOUTHAM OPENS FOR BUSINESS 2013 Our new branch at Ufton, Southam opens for business. KUBOTA ANNOUNCES MOVE INTO AGRICULTURE 2015 With Kubota already a World leader in the sub 100hp tractor market, their desire to move into the Agricultural market was seen as a natural move by everyone in the industry. KUBOTA CENTRE OPENS IN KENT 2017 Eight years after the original branch opened its door, the business has clearly outgrown its site and with the addition of Kubota Agriculture, a new branch is opened and becomes the first fully-fledged Kubota Centre in the country. 2020 Having steadily grown with the Agco and Kubota franchise, both had become firm favorites. However, it had steadily become clear that it would be impossible to represent both brands in the long term. As a result, Lister Wilder chose to uncouple from the Agco franchise in a way that protected everyone involved - this left a clear pathway whereby we could focus on a full line offering for our Agricultural, Groundcare and Construction customers - three pillars of the business that form the bedrock of what we do. GET IN TOUCH We’re here to help in whatever way we can, so feel free to visit your nearest branch, phone with a question or email one of the team. We look forward to hearing from you. CONTACT US OUR BRANCHES ACCREDITATIONS OUR DIVISIONS Agriculture Groundcare Construction Arboricultural COMPANY About us Our Branches Our History Join the Team USEFUL LINKS Privacy Policy Terms of Business Anti-Slavery Policy Ethical Trading Policy Terms of Website Use Hire Terms CONNECT WITH US SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR NEWS Lister Wilder Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA number 697799. 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