New machinery business has big plans for Toowoomba and Dalby

A business has launched which is a result of a partnership between Craig Brimblecombe of St George Machinery Centre, and Noel Baines owner of Ag Requirements in Gatton, both longstanding and highly-successful Case IH dealerships.

Craig Brimblecombe of St George Machinery Centre, and Noel Baines, owner of Ag Requirements in Gatton.

THERE’S a new player in the agricultural machinery sector in Queensland, but the owners behind the exciting venture are familiar faces to farmers across the Lockyer Valley.

STAG Machinery Group is poised to assume responsibility for the Case IH dealerships in Toowoomba and Dalby, previously operated by Wideland Ag.

This new business is the result of a partnership between Craig Brimblecombe of St George Machinery Centre, and Noel Baines owner of Ag Requirements in Gatton, both longstanding and highly-successful Case IH dealerships.

STAG Machinery Group will operate from new locations in Toowoomba and Dalby and is in the final stages of preparing the branches for opening by December.

Mr Baines and Mr Brimblecombe both have a long history in the ag machinery sector in Queensland and are enthusiastic about expansion into the Toowoomba and Dalby areas.

“It’s an exciting time and we’re looking forward to getting to know the farmers of these two important Queensland agricultural regions,” Mr Brimblecombe said.

St George Machinery Centre has been a Case IH dealer for more than 35 years, with Mr Brimblecombe, in conjunction with three other partners, taking over operations in 2009, before he bought out the other partners in 2013.

The dealership currently has 20 employees, with a particular focus on the broadacre sector and irrigation.

Ag Requirements had its beginnings in 1948 as an International Harvester dealership – the IH in Case IH – with Mr Baines joining the business in 1998 as financial controller, before purchasing the dealership in 2002.

Today, Ag Requirements has 50 staff with Case IH its flagship machinery brand, while also manufacturing irrigation and ag equipment.

With horticulture the dominant form of agriculture in the Lockyer Valley, Ag Requirements does most of its tractor business in the medium to lower horsepower end of the market.

Mr Baines said combined their experience was second-to-none.

“From vegetables to broadacre crops, we have customers in Dalby and Toowoomba covered,” he said.

This year’s harvest is promising to be the best since 2016, and while it’s a busy period for farmers, Mr Brimblecombe said they need not be concerned about the Toowoomba and Dalby dealership changes impacting on their operations at such a crucial time.

“Although the timing of this venture is in the middle of harvest, during the transition we’ll be here for whatever customers require, and whenever they need it,” Mr Brimblecombe said.

“The opportunities are enormous and we look forward to introducing new and existing Case IH customers in these regions to our new business and everything we have to offer.”

Mr Baines said they were in this together with farmers.

“What we’re promising is a business relationship that we can all benefit from,” he said.

“We know this is a big change, but we have a long history in Southern Queensland and customers can be assured of our commitment to the Toowoomba and Dalby areas, and our support for the farming operations that underpin these regional economies.”

STAG Machinery Group is looking for sales, service, parts and administration staff for both sites.

Experienced and qualified personnel wishing to join the team should contact 0428 964 269 or 0417 729 499 for information.

Customers in the Dalby and Toowoomba areas who require assistance during the transition period can phone [phone].