Company History

Ben Burgess and Company was founded in 1931 by Ben Burgess, Edward Burgess and Norman Marshall. 1931 was the perfect time for an Agricultural Engineering company to start, as it was the absolute bottom of the post war agricultural depression.

Our first tractor franchise was the Marshall that was produced by Norman's father. This was at a time when the farming community did not yet except Diesel power, and, to be honest, was thought of as a rather daft idea.

Despite the early scepticism, and by means of an awful lot of demonstrations and some contracting, the popping sound of the diesel tractors soon became popular around the farmyards of Norfolk.

With the success of the Marshall tractors came other franchises such as Turner Tractors, Claas Combines, and Lundell Foragers. In 1964 we were appointed one of the first John Deere dealers in the UK.

With the growth of the business came the need for a better coverage of Norfolk, and in 1962 this started with the acquisition of Ben Burgess Beeston, along with Eric Matthews and Co.

About 20 years later the need for coverage in north east Norfolk led to the building of Ben Burgess Aylsham.

Although Agriculture had always been the primary business, over the years other companies have joined the fold:

In 1962 Ben Burgess Garden Equipment was born to serve Horticultural customers throughout Norfolk.

In 1964 Ben Burgess purchased F.C. Walkers, a sheet metal engineers, to compliment the Grain Handling department.

Finally, in 1973 Mr. Burgess took over an Electric Motor company from an old friend named Reggie Hagg.

A further addition to the Ben Burgess Group is Ben Burgess Newmarket. Opened in June 2003, this purpose-built depot further extends the renowned Ben Burgess commitment to our customers.

More recently, grain specialists Bloomfield Installations and electrical motor rewinders, Thomas Wilch & High, have joined the Ben Burgess Group.

If you would like to read more about Ben Burgess MBE then the book "My Life in Agriculture" is available from us ~ with all proceeds going to the Ben Burgess Nelson Memorabilia Collection appeal fund.