O’Connor Farm Machinery: End of an era for tractor dealer

AFTER 42 years at his family operated dealership O’Connors Farm Machinery, managing director Mark O’Connor is set to retire.

Bowing out: Mark O'Connor (right) who after 42 years with family business O'Connors, is ready to retire, making way for incoming chief executive Gareth Webb.

AFTER 42 years at his family operated farm machinery dealership O’Connors, managing director Mark O’Connor is set to retire.

Mr O’Connor will be replaced by group operations manager Gareth Webb, who will take on the role of chief executive officer from July 1.

Mr Webb joined the O’Connors sales team at Birchip in 2004, before taking over as branch manager. In 2014 he became head of group operations.

Mr Webb’s appointment will be the first time in the company’s 54-year history that the head of the org­anisation is from outside the O’Connor family.

O’Connors was established at Birchip in northwest Victoria in 1964 by Mr O’Connor’s parents John, known as “JJ”, and Pauline O’Connor.

The company expanded to partner with Case IH and open dealerships in Warracknabeal, Horsham, Shepparton, Corowa and Bordertown.

The family will still have a presence in the company, with JJ’s grandson, Ryan O’Connor, remaining as sales manager for Shepparton and Corowa, and Mark continuing serving as a board member.

In addition, Mark will remain with the company until the end of the year to help Mr Webb with the transition

“It’s a great honour to be appointed to the role,” Mr Webb said. “I’m very respectful of all of Mark’s efforts and I know he is handing over the reins to a company with a proud history and a strong foundation for me to build upon.”