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THE F. E. (Jim) TURNER ENDOWMENT FUND

F. E. (Jim) TURNER 1950s

2ND

May 1927 – 2nd

January 1998

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KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF BEN TURNER AND SON LTD

1876 “Grandfather” Turner came to Dorking with his cousin Mr Stone and started the foundry

STONE & TURNER.

1915 Son Ben (one of six children) joined as apprentice at 2/6d per week plus overtime, working

from 6am to 6pm.

1917 Ben Turner joined the Royal Flying Corps. When he was demobilised after the war his father

was in poor health and the company was sold, because Ben’s brother did not want to

continue. Ben took various Sales Reps jobs, finishing with 10 years in West Surrey.

1933 The then proprietor of Stone and Turner died and Ben bought it back with his mother’s help.

The company expanded up to World War II and the mid 1940’s saw a revolution in farm

machinery.

1943 Dorking site acquired and Jim Turner was apprenticed.

1950 Jim Turner took over the depot management. Travelling farm supplies “shop” introduced.

1954 Sendmarsh site and franchise taken over from H.O.Harper, specialising in Harry Ferguson

products. Ben Turner & Son (Tractors) Ltd formed. Service van site calls introduced. The

business built up based on its reputation for service.

1956 Massey Harris and Ferguson merge and the tractor range expanded.

1958 Farm Supplies (Dorking) Ltd formed.

1960 Hiretrac introduced, leasing new equipment to farmers and selling refurbished equipment

overseas.

1967 Company taken public as Ben Turner & Son (Holdings) Ltd. with offering of 1,687,500 shares

at 2s.3d each.

1969 Acquired Holloway Hinson and Walter A. Woods.

1969 Opened Bishop’s Waltham branch. Jim Turner retires.

1970 Sendmarsh Engineering formed. Ben Turner & Son (Overseas) incorporated. Ben Turner &

Son (Helicopters) incorporated.

1971 Acquired Power Diesels

1972 Acquired Lenfield Engineering.

1973 Ben Turner dies.

1998 Jim Turner dies.

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EXTRACT FROM THE SURREY N.F.U. JOURNAL FEBRUARY 1965

Surrey... farming personalities

BEN TURNER Esq.

If Ben Turner’s schoolmaster had been some combination of Will Hay and Jimmy Edwards, I

think he (Ben) might have enjoyed his schooldays. As things were, he did not. Not that there was

anything wrong with the school – Dorking High School – or the teachers; it was simply that this lad,

blessed with an immense liking for people, a great sense of fun and humour, and a love of sport, also

had an active dislike for all things purely academic.

This must have been a blow to Ben Turner’s father – a Governor of the High School! No

doubt Mr Turner, Snr. would have liked one of his six children to be a scholar. Ben was born in 1900,

the youngest of five boys and one girl, and was the last hope. In desperation Ben was eventually

taken up to London by his father to consult a phrenologist. The report was accurate if not flattering.

“Your son, Benjamin, must pay more attention to his lessons and studies and less to games and

sport.”

As an example of the sort of activity young Ben really enjoyed, he would perhaps quote his

Easter holiday of 1915, when he joined a patrol of Senior Scouts assisting the Coastguard Station at

Normans Bay, near Bexhill. This was great stuff, and he wrote a glowing account to his father

concerning the importance of guarding the coastline.

Mr Turner, Snr. was a good sport himself, but by this time he had come to a firm decision. In

due course, young Ben got a reply to his letter – “You will not be going back to school, but will start

your apprenticeship in the foundry immediately.” So began Ben Turner’s 50 years in agricultural

engineering.

His father had come to Dorking in 1876 and, with his cousin Mr Stone, had started the

foundry and ironmongery business of Stone & Turner. Here Ben Turner apprenticed. A period in the

office was followed by work and training in the blacksmith’s shop, the foundry, the machine shop,

the fitting shop and out on repairs. The hours were 6am to 6pm plus overtime when necessary. The

wage in his first year was 2/6d per week plus overtime.

In the winter of 1917/18 Ben Turner followed his brothers into the armed forces by joining

the R.F.C. By summertime he was airborne, but the war ended soon afterwards.

Whilst Ben was still in the R.F.C. his father retired. A depleted staff and ill health brought

retirement on; and since the elder boys did not wish to take over, the business was sold.

Consequently, on demobilisation Ben found himself looking for a job. After a search he eventually

found employment as a salesman in an implement business in Birmingham. Ben Turner found this to

be excellent experience. He also remembers the good times – Saturday afternoons watching Aston

Villa, and Sunday mornings debating the problems of the world with his fellow boarders at the

Y.M.C.A. building.

Nevertheless, city life was not for Ben. He managed to come back south as a representative

of a firm of agricultural engineers at Lewes. After three enjoyable years travelling Sussex, he was

informed by his boss that a real “hot-stuff” salesman had been engaged. Exit Ben.

The next ten years were spent travelling in West Surrey. During this period – the 1920s and

early 1930s – British farming struggled for survival. During the same period, Lottie came very much

into the picture by becoming Mrs Ben Turner. Later – in 1927 – son Jim was born.

In 1933 the proprietor of the old business of Stone & Turner died, and Ben had the offer to

purchase. With encouragement and blessing from his mother, 1st

December 1933 saw the old

business back in the Turner family. This was certainly a milestone in Ben’s career.

When Ben Turner took over, the staff of three old hands had all worked for his father. Ben

and his staff took off their jackets and started to make a go of things. Three years later his mother

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died, and he arranged with the family to take over the old home. Before they could move in, Ben

was ill and spent the next five months in the County Hospital. During this period Mrs Turner and the

three old hands kept the business going and, eventually, in November 1937, Ben Turner moved into

the house in which he was born.

The next few years saw the gradual building up of the business. There were many

difficulties; war came in 1939, with some years of depleted staff and many restrictions. Mr Turner

helped to fill the breach in the office and, in the latter part of the war, son Jim came into the

business.

After Mrs Turner gave up her clerical duties, she came to the conclusion that she must do

something both useful and satisfying. No-one in this energetic family can simply rest. Before long

Mrs Turner was building up a herd of Friesians at Brook Farm, Leigh. She ran the farm for 18 years,

and derived a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction from doing so. At the same time, it gave Ben

plenty of exercise at weekends, and a useful insight into husbandry.

The mid-1940s onwards brought a revolution in farm mechanisation. The business grew and

expanded. Further premises were acquired in Ansell Road, Dorking, and by 1950 Jim Turner had

taken over the management of the works.

The next few years brought many changes in agricultural engineering, developing from the

old firm locally supplying many different makers’ machines to the specialisation of today –

concentrating on a range of machines from one maker. These years brought appropriate changes in

the Turner organisation. Jim started the Ferguson (now Massey-Ferguson) business at Send; Mrs

Turner was still farming; and Ben was wrestling with the problem of streamlining the business at

Dorking. These years brought many problems but, in years of organisational trials and tribulations,

there is one sight which stands out at being extremely funny in the mind of Ben Turner – that of his

wife and son doing business together, farmer Mrs Turner and machinery dealer Jim haggling over

the purchase of a tractor must have been a sight to behold!

By 1958 many changes had been made. The dairy and sundry business had become a highly

specialised affair over the years, and in 1958 a separate company was formed, Farm Supplies

(Dorking) Ltd, to deal solely with this side of the business. The Ansell Road works became a depot of

the main machinery business at Send. Ben Turner was getting ready for retirement.

Looking back over the years, one incident of earlier days remains in Mr Turner’s memory.

One winter evening in 1916 a farmer friend invited Ben to a party for a game of whist. During the

evening the host suddenly asked “What’s the best mowing machine, Ben?” Back came the quick

answer – “A Number 9 Albion.” “Well, you had better get me one in time for the next haymaking.”

Ben attributes his purpose in life – to serve the farmer to the best of his ability – to this order, given

completely out of the blue to a young man at the impressionable age of 16.

Not that Ben Turner has to go back nearly 50 years for fond memories; he will hardly forget

a moment of his quest in Canada in 1961 for relatives he had never seen. He records in a diary

written with obvious sincerity and good humour the story of how he and Mrs Turner sailed across

the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, up the Pacific coast to British Columbia, and then right

across Canada. A wonderful experience, made even better by the surprise home-coming party, when

fifty friends waited to greet them on their return.

Now retirement has come, Mrs Turner from the farm and Ben from the business. One who

has built up such a large store of friendship over the years is never short of something to do in

retirement, plenty of cards in winter, and a little bowling in summer. Years ago it was football; in

fact, all five brothers played for Dorking at one time or another. Of course, there is always the

garden. This one stands on an old Roman burial ground. Ben remembers a whole showcase of

shaped flints which he helped to dig as a boy; he believes this was presented to a museum, but has

not been able to trace it.

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This year Ben Turner looks back on 50 years in agricultural engineering. During this period

there have been many changes in the industry. But two things are the same now as they ever were;

firstly, the need for skilled and responsible staff – and Ben Turner expresses his appreciation and

admiration for these qualities in his own staff; secondly, the need to give real service – and Ben

Turner describes this as the most important element in a machinery business. Certainly, as far as he

is concerned, this has been both the foundation of his business and his main aim in life.

Mr and Mrs Ben Turner

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EXTRACT FROM THE SURREY N.F.U. JOURNAL MARCH 1965

Surrey... farming personalities

F. E. TURNER Esq.

This is a rather unique occasion in our annals.

For the first time, successive articles in this series are devoted to father and son. Both are

personalities in their own right, but there is more to it than that. This is the story of how different

generations of the same family, each with the same basic qualities, adapt themselves to the age in

which they live.

Many years ago Grandfather Turner, founder of Stone & Turner, built a business which

included a foundry and a blacksmith’s shop amongst other things. In a limited area of operation all

makes of machine were sold, repairs of every kind carried out on the premises, and spare parts

made on the spot when necessary. Tools and implements were manufactured to customers’

requirements. It was an excellent example of a good solid local business, providing just what the day

and age required.

Grandson Turner sells only one make of machinery (at a rate in excess of one tractor per

day), carries over 14,000 different spare parts in stock (amounting to well over £50,000), employs a

staff of 80 and, in the past three years, has travelled 10,000 miles per annum selling used tractors in

almost every country in Europe and Scandinavia. This dynamic yet composed young man has also

built up an expanding business in tractor hire; and he still finds time for a little fox hunting to

prevent Jim from becoming a dull boy!

It seems a far cry from Stone & Turner of the late 1870s to Ben Turner & Son (Tractors) Ltd

of the 1960s. And yet, I doubt if there is really much difference between the three men who have

been at the helm in three generations of Turners.

No doubt great changes took place during the business life of Ben Turner (see February

issue).

Certainly there were changes in the pattern of trade and the organisation of this and many

other businesses; but perhaps the greatest change has been in pace. Grandfather used the horse as

a principal means of transport; Jim rides a horse for pleasure, but has to run his business in the age

of jet aircraft and rockets to the moon. That he does so with all the competence and drive one would

expect from the modern Turner generation almost goes without saying. Perhaps the most significant

commentary on the third generation in machinery is that, whilst Jim rides to hounds, he also holds a

pilot’s licence.

Born at Guildford in 1927, F. E. Turner was inspected on his day of birth by his maternal

grandfather. “Aha” said Granddad, “It’s a little Jimmy”! In fact, fond parents decided to christen him

with other names, but these have really been quite irrelevant throughout his life; he has been “Jim”

ever since Grandfather’s remark.

Jim’s love of school was roughly on a par with that of his father. He spent a great deal of his

childhood on Grandfather’s farm – much of it when he should have been at school. He well

remembers when he was first taught to harness a horse at the age of seven. Schooldays did not last

forever, even though it seemed like it, and he left at the age of 15. Four happy years followed. Jim

decided that he wanted to go in for farming, and spent his first two years with Mr Hugh Waterstone

in Kent. This period was spent entirely with the dairy herd, and was followed by two years with Mr

John Roberts at Bookham.

After this period on farms Jim came back to his father’s business to take over that part

devoted to contract ploughing. There were three teams, Jim being one of them. From his schooldays

Jim was a member of the Dorking Young Farmers’ Club and during the same period enjoyed a great

deal of success at ploughing matches throughout the district.

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From the contracting business Jim went on to the supply and maintenance of farm

machinery. In 1949 he conceived the idea of a travelling farm shop, and put it into practice himself

for the first six months. He then concentrated on the supply and installation of milking machinery;

here, his experience as a practical user of milking machinery proved invaluable. During this period

he married Clare – she continued as a hairdresser because – she says – “I had to work to keep him

fox hunting.” During the many hectic years of business which have followed, Clare has always helped

Jim get away from his business periodically and to relax properly; the pace of modern business life

cannot be sustained indefinitely without a break – not unless one is prepared to face the divers’

unpleasant forms of physical breakdown which abound in this jet age.

The real pressure of business began in 1954, when Ben Turner & Son (Tractors) Ltd began to

operate from the new site at Send Marsh. In those days the site covered 1-1/2 acres, and included

an old wooden “village hall” type of building. The object of the exercise was to take over the

Ferguson agency for the area. The staff of 4 had exactly one month in which to get everything ready

for business – convert the solitary building and get telephone, water, electricity, etc. On 1st

November 1954 Jim was in business with a staff of four, one ancient lorry, one car and two trucks. In

the first month two new tractors were sold; four in the second month.

Very early on Jim decided that the business must be founded on service to the customer. He

instituted a routine call system; a trained engineer visited each Ferguson user once a month to

provide both service and advice.

In 1956 Massey Harris and Ferguson merged. The range of machinery offered by Massey-

Ferguson was almost complete. For the agent this meant not only increased sales prospects but also

the need to carry a huge stock of spare parts, and to provide trained staff and equipment capable of

dealing with a wide range of machinery. It meant also larger premises and workshops. During this

period the reorganisation of the Turner business was completed.

In 1959 Massey-Ferguson introduced their range of industrial equipment, which Jim now

distributes over a large slice of southern England. Once again expansion was called for.

Service has grown with expansion. This in itself has presented innumerable problems. It is

one thing to build up a reputation for service when only a limited range of equipment is involved; it

is quite another task to sustain this reputation when dealing with a huge range of complex machines,

both agricultural and industrial. This has meant ploughing almost every penny back into the business

for many years – simply to build up the premises, tools and huge stock of spare parts necessary to

provide the standard of service which Jim sets.

Nowadays (1965) a card index is used to find and account for each spare part. Mr Davis –

the original member of staff – is responsible for all the stores. Another member of the original staff

is Clare Turner’s sister, now Mrs Robert Hewitt.

All machinery coming in from farms is thoroughly cleaned in the steam cleaning bay before

any work is done on it. When farm machinery breaks down it is usually at a time of urgent need.

Consequently, nowadays as much work as possible is on the basis of unit exchange, i.e. put in a

complete new unit and take the defective unit back to the workshop. This means that the farmer can

get on with the job, whilst, at the same time, the engineers need not rush the repair.

After some years second hand machinery became something of a problem. Perhaps the

problem was not quite so much one of having an increasing quantity of used machines to sell; rather

the problem was concerned with irregularity of supply. The tractor hire company - Hiretrac Ltd –

started by Jim must have done a great deal to help with this problem. Hiring the tractor does mean

that the farmer has an up-to-date and regularly maintained machine which involves him in no capital

outlay – one on which he can budget in advance and, at the same time, it gives the dealer a regular

and prearranged supply of used machines. This is turn has enabled Jim to contract for the supply of

good quality used tractors on a regular basis to second hand purchasers. Nowadays 25 per cent of

new tractors leaving the Sendmarsh depot do so on a contract rental basis.

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Mrs Turner (Jim’s first wife) sees to it that even a business of these proportions leaves some

time for other pursuits. Eight seasons with the Surrey Union Hunt have been followed by four with

the Chiddingfold and Leconfield Hunt. When a holiday is permitted, sea fishing and water skiing are

the order of the day, with a little flying squeezed in here and there – enough flying hours to keep his

pilot’s licence.

Travel has become part of life for Jim Turner; in the last five or six years twice to North

America, once to North Africa, once to West Africa and every country in Europe. One of his most

enjoyable short trips was only a few months ago – to the Massey-Ferguson convention in Lisbon – a

four day working session cum holiday. A great deal was crammed into four days – the launching of

the biggest range of new equipment in the history of the manufacturer, a bullfight, folk dancing

display, a banquet, dance and cabaret. Fortunately not all overseas visits are quite so hectic.

There are always plenty of problems. A great deal of capital has to be invested in spares and

space to house them, and there is a constant need to train highly skilled and dedicated staff. Training

is costly, but the result is worthwhile when skilled young men emerge with an outlook biased

towards farming and a sense of team spirit.

Thus three generations of this family have based their life and business on service – each in

the way demanded by the day and age. Perhaps it is fitting to end with a tribute from one

generation to another. “My father,” said Jim Turner, “gave me a start, and then left me alone to get

on with it. I suppose that is what I wanted; it is undoubtedly what I needed, and it is certainly what I

got. I shall always be grateful to him.”

F E (Jim) Turner March 1965

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The original Sendmarsh works

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ITEM IN THE SOUTHERN FARMER MARCH 1955

“CLOSE-UP” of BEN TURNER (TRACTORS) LTD

NEW FERGUSON DEPOT OPENED AT SEND

When the firm of M. O. Harper (Tractors) Ltd of Guildford ceased to handle Ferguson

products last June, the agency was offered to the well-known firm of Ben Turner & Son Ltd of

Dorking on condition that should should find suitable premises conveniently situated for serving the

West Surrey area by the beginning of December 1954.

Here, indeed, was a pretty problem! It was obvious that the premises required would need

to be conveniently adaptable as repair workshops for heavy machinery, and they would also need to

be reasonably easy of access for combines and other large agricultural implements. There would

need to be scope for expansion, with space available for the erection of additonal workshops and

stores.

Many likely sites were inspected, but for one reason or another non of them was suitable. In

many cases the stumbling block turned out to be either the Ministry of Town and Country Planning,

the Ministry of Transport or some local authority.

Then one day, Mr Jim Turner, who was mainly in charge of the hunt for a suitable property,

was told about a large property at Send, near Ripley, which had been built before the war with a

view to providing a holiday home for children from London slums, where at the same time they

could be instructed in the safe use of the roads. The place had never been used for that purpose but

had been taken over for storage by the Ministry of Food during the war.

Mr Turner quickly saw that the property had tremendous potentialities for his requirements,

and within a few weeks the negotiations were completed; and the new company Ben Turner & Son

(Tractors) Ltd., formed to operate the Ferguson agency, was in occupation by October 1st

1954.

Needless to say there was a great deal of preliminary work to be carried out – much of the

property was overgrownwith weeds six feet high, the largest building was full of rubbish and the

central heating plant was out of order. Nevertheless the whole place was completely overhauled and

turned into a really presentable service plant, with well-equipped stores, workshops and offices by

November 1st

– one month within the time limit set by the Ferguson Tractor Company.

The management of the new company is in the hands of Mr Jim Turner, and already he has

gathered around him a staff of well qualified technicians. The first employee of the new company

has been on the spot right from the start. The wise choice for that most important job of a new firm,

that of building up a satisfactory and efficient spares department was Mr G T Davis, who has had

long experience of the difficulties and complications of stores control, and has installed an excellent

visible records system.

By November 1st

there were two fitters on the staff, and there has now been considerable

further expansion. Sales Manager is Mr H A E Hodge, who has been well known in Ferguson circles

for many years, having formerly been the Agricultural Manager of the Reigate Garage, previously

Ferguson distributors for East Surrey and Kent. Works foreman is Mr Ken Eve, who has had 15 years

experience of agricultural machinery maintenance.

Mr Turner considers that one of the most important functions of the firm will be to provide a

quick turnaround on the field service, with fully qualified engineers trained to handle Ferguson and

Massey-Harris machinery only, and backed with adequate supplies and spare parts and equipment.

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Directors and staff of Ben Turner & Son (Ltd) March 1955

Back row – E Hodge, Peter Stevens, D T Davis

Front row – Joe Andrews, Mrs J Turner, Jim Turner, Ben Turner, Diana Goddard, Ken Eve

Jim Turner receiving trophy at Surrey Show 1950s

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14

SURREY SHOW EXHIBITS – “GRANDFATHER TURNER” ANTIQUE TRACTOR

SURREY SHOW EXHIBITS – “FATHER TURNER” AND “SONNY JIM”

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SURREY SHOW EXHIBITS – EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT

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EXTRACT FROM THE SURREY ADVERTISER AND COUNTY TIMES SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16 1963

“One old lorry helps a new firm to success”

(after repeating most of the above)..........The vehicles available were one old lorry for delivery, one

car for sales, and two service trucks.

During the first month of operation two new tractors were sold and delivered, and four in

the second month. Bins and spare parts card record systems were installed for approximately 2,000

different spare parts. On the question of sales the company adopted the policy of specialising in only

one make of vehicle. This simplified the problem of spare parts stocking and the training of efficient

staff to carry out service work. A routine call system was introduced in order that every Ferguson

user could receive a call from a trained service engineer approximately once a month, to provide any

consumable spare parts or advice to operators.

Expansion from these early days took place at a satisfactory rate and by the end of the first

year the staff had doubled.

In 1956 the merger of the Massey-Harris and Ferguson companies was accomplished, which

meant that Ben Turner & Son (Tractors) Ltd. were then in a position to hold for distribution a

complete range of tractors and equipment to satisfy farmers’ requirements. It was then found that

the original workshop facilities were inadequate and the increase in spare parts holdings was causing

the stores to burst at the seams. With the introduction of larger machines like self-propelled

combines and pick-up balers, a larger workshop was necessary.

Early in 1957 a precast concrete building covering 4,500 sq ft was erected next to the

original wooden building. The stores were then enlarged into what had been the original workshop.

The following year the directors decided, that in view of the success of single line

distribution and specialisation, to streamline the old Ben Turner business at Dorking. A new

company was formed – Farm Supplies (Dorking) Ltd – to handle the milking machines, barn

machinery and sundry lines originally sold by the old firm for a number of years, and thereby to run

it as a separate specialised business. Tractors and larger equipment, service and sales, were then

taken over by the Sendmarsh Company, operating the Dorking Premises as a depot.

Also in that year an adjacent 1-1/2 acre property next to Sendmarsh Works was acquired,

giving extra space for stocking machines for the additional business of the Dorking depot.

In 1959 it was found that with the handling of all accounts from Ripley, extensive alterations

to the offices to accommodate growing office staff was needed. Another precast building was

erected on the other side of the original building, covering 9,000 sq ft; giving provision for five new

offices, a sizeable showroom and a further covered space for new tractor stocks.

At the end of 1959 Massey-Ferguson introduced a new range of light industrial equipment,

which comprised a tractor-shovel-digger unit, together with many attachments. This opened up a

completely new and additional market, and distribution was given to the company for a major part

of southern England.

Early in 1960 an Industrial Section was formed and a fully equipped workshop of 2,700 sq ft

provided for industrial service. This section was added specifically to serve Local Authorities, Public

Works contractors, Builders, Sports Grounds, Golf Courses etc, where the use of tractors and their

attachments was growing rapidly.

During 1960 a subsidiary company for leasing tractors was started for the benefit of those

who wished to use capital, otherwise locked up in plant, for other purposes. This company,

“Hiretrac”Ltd, offered all-in contract hire similar to that provided to commercial vehicle users.

Towards the end of 1960 further adjoining land of about 1 acre was acquired. The entrance

road and forecourt was resurfaced with concrete covering approximately ¾ acre. Considerable

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internal developments in the stores took place with the added new lines available, and binning was

increased to house over 10,000 different spare parts items, valued in excess of £25,000.

Today (1963) the firm employs a staff of around 50 and new tractor deliveries are running at

the rate of a tractor every day to farmers, and two shovel-diggers units each week to industrial

users. On the agricultural side the vehicle fleet has grown to 16 and on the industrial section to 5.

Undoubtedly this progress has been made by the strenuous efforts and the team spirit of

the staff of Ben Turner & Son (Tractors) Ltd., and also the policy of the firm to specialise in one line

and to put service first, coupled with the loyal support of their customers.

Sendmarsh works

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(NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FROM 1964)

Farm Supplies (Dorking) Ltd is a specialist in dairy milking equipment, bulk tanks and cleaning

chemicals.

They have built up a reputation for reliability and service in the comparatively short time they have

been in operation.

The philosophy behind the company’s sound progress has been service to the local farmer combined

with a square deal.

“You asked me what had attributed to our success and that sums it up in a nutshell,” said Managing

Director, Mr Fred Hall. With sincerity, he quickly added that it meant a square deal for everyone –

irrespective of how much they bought.

“If we sell a product to a farmer and it doesn’t do what the label says, then we take it back without

question.” He said.

The location of his company in Surrey – half covered by London’s commuter belt – holds no illusions

for the 51 year old Managing Director. “The farmers’ requirements are my daily bread and butter

and it is their needs we set out to fulfil. It was in the interests of our customers that we introduced in

1950 a travelling farm supplies shop – similar in concept to the travelling grocery shop in villages.

The service has been a great advantage to the farmer, who receives a regular monthly visit. He gets

in the habit of making out a list of items he needs and the transactions can be carried out quickly

when the salesmen call.”

About 700 customers receive a monthly visit from one of the three 35cwt mobile shops which tour

Surrey and also cover part of Sussex and Middlesex.

The service was the first of its kind to be introduced in the South East by Mr Jim Turner, son of Mr

Ben Turner, who founded Ben Turner & Son Limited, agricultural machinery suppliers in the area.

Farm Supplies (Dorking) Ltd was an innovation in 1958. The company was set up in premises at

Ansell Road, Dorking, to provide a specialist service in dairying equipment and ancilliary farm

products.

Ben Turner was at the helm until he retired in 1963 and Mr Hall, who had first joined the older

company as a clerk in 1945, succeeded him as Managing Director.

He has witnessed, and helped to inspire, the company’s steady growth which has resulted in a 600

per cent increase in turnover in its 14 year history.

Farm Supplies now employs a staff of 30, made up of six people in administration, six on sales, 10

fitters for dairy and garden machinery, six in stores and two delivery drivers. Mr Hall’s son Jim has

started in the business and is currently learning the garden machinery side.

The expansion of the business has brought a new opportunity for one of the staff, Miss Freda Dann.

Early next year she will be entirely responsible for the dairying and milking machine operations.

Another important feature of the company’s operations is its fitting and maintenance service. Four

service vehicles manned by a service manager and three fitters are available on call 24 hours a day.

Milking machines, bulk tanks and other fixed plant installed on the farms by the company are

maintained on a regular basis and the company offers a seven-days-a-week service to farmers in the

area who have emergency telephone numbers where they can obtain “out-of-hours” assistance.

The service incorporates the handling of cleaning chemicals – a vital part of any farming enterprise.

Deosan Delsanex share the company’s interest in this aspect of their operation and supply sixty per

cent of the total dairy cleaning chemicals sold by Farm Supplies Ltd.

Said Mr Hall “I am most happy with the service I receive from Deosan Delsanex salesmen, who are

always available to sort out any problems which may arise. But in the interests of farmers we are

looking to chemical manufacturers to provide a product which will incorporate a cool water steriliser

cleaner. Most of the cleaning chemicals on the market today require a hot water process and with

electricity prices continually rising, the cost to the farmer of cleaning his milking equipment is ever

increasing.”

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Another of the Deosan products sold in large quantities in the area is hypochlorite. Many homes in

Surrey contain private swimming pools and the owners call on the agricultural merchant for their

supplies.

The Deosan Positron fully automatic tank washer has become essential where farmers have “gone

bulk” with 500, 600, or 700 gallon tanks. A high proportion of farmers in the county are bulk, but the

need for automatic cleaning is not so great where the medium size tanks are installed.

With the advent of the larger tanks, however, I believe it is now essential to have them cleaned

automatically and the Positron is the most suitable and efficient system yet devised.

Changes in the dairy industry in the past few years has been almost unbelieveable. For this reason I

regret the breakdown of the dairy committee of the AMTDA through lack of support. I have firm

views on the abolition of Resale Price Maintenance. I believe it is essential to have a proper price

structure which gives a fair margin of profit to the trader and offers a realistic price to the customer.

RPM has been replaced by an outrageously recommended retail price structure which benefits no-

one.

I have few doubts for the future. The British Dairy farmer can stand up against his counterpart

anywhere in the world. In terms of Britain joining the EEC I have no fear.

Any success this company enjoyed in the past is due entirely to a loyal and long serving staff. We can

therefore look forward to the future with optimism.”

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20

DAILY EXPRESS PRESS CUTTING 15TH

AUGUST 1967

MARKET ENTRY

Ploughing its way to market.... Ben Turner & Son, which sells Massey-Ferguson tractors and

agricultural equipment in the South-East.

New issue specialists Mounthall Securities have placed 1,687,500 shares at 2s. 3d each, and up to a

6d premium on the placing price is tipped when dealings start.

The Turner family have been in the agricultural machinery business for almost a century and the

group expects to turn in profits of £83,000 this year.

SOUTHERN FARMER FEBRUARY 1969

BEN TURNER TRACTORS APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING

DIRECTOR

Newly appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Ben Turner & Son (Holdings) Ltd. of

Sendmarsh works, Ripley, is Mr John Wakeham, who is well known to the local farming community.

Formerly the company’s accountant and financial adviser for many years, he succeeds Mr Ben

Turner as Chairman, and Mr F. E. (Jim) Turner as Managing Director, both of whom have retired but

will remain on the board as non-executive directors, and the family will continue to retain a majority

shareholding.

Mr Wakeham’s association with the local farming community commenced in the early ‘Fifties, and it

is interesting to record that he admits he developed his latent ability for public speaking as a

member of Guildford Young Farmers Club, of which he became Chairman in 1952.

But he has also payed a prominent part in many other public organisations, including the Round

Table. He was elected founder Treasurer of Godalming branch in 1953-1955, and became Area

Chairman in 1964; and his membership of the World Council Special Committee is only one of his

activities which have taken him on missions all over the world.

Mr Wakeham joined the Conservative Party in 1964, and relatively soon afterwards was adopted as

prospective candidate for Coventry East, where he was elected at the last election.

21

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FINANCIAL TIMES PRESS CUTTING early 1969

BEN TURNER AIMS TO TOP £0.1m

Turnover to date in the current year of Ben Turner and Sons (Holdings) (SIC) is “appreciably higher”

than the comparable period and subject to unforeseen circumstance the directors anticipate profits

“in excess” of £100,000 for the year 1968-69.

For the year ended October 31 1968 they report an improvement in pre-tax profits from £86,469 to

£89,056, subject to tax of £39,343 (£34,402).

A final dividend of 5 per cent is proposed making 9 per cent as forecast in the August 1967

prospectus. A single 2 per cent payment was made in respect of the period to October 31st

1967.

The dividends absorb £19,038 after a waiver by Mr F. E. Turner, a director, amounting to £7,962. The

carry forward is £30,675.

Mr J. Wakeham is chairman of the company, distributors of agricultural, construction and industrial

machinery.

The AGM is on March 28th

.

Comment –

Ben Turner’s activities in 1967 were split evenly between the agricultural and the industrial sides of

the business. Last year, though, the balance was 40-60 respectively, and the industrial side is

expected this year to make an even greater contribution as the full benefits begin to flow from the

acquisition of the franchise for heavy industrial machinery.

So, although pre-tax profits for last year rose by only 3 per cent, Turner should reach the £100,000

mark forecast for this year. The company has its outlets for the second hand tractors; a key factor in

the trade, well- organised and operating under the direction of a new chairman and managing

director. Until the interim results confirm this promise though, the shares are standing high enough

at 3s. 3-3/4d for a prospective p/e of 14.9

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PRESS RELEASE 4TH

JULY 1969

BEN TURNER INCREASES PROFITS

The directors of Ben Turner & Son (Holdings) Ltd., of Send, announced this week that the profits of

the group, before tax, for the year ending October 31st 1969 should not be less that £100,000.

The increase in turnover and profits is due to an increase in sales of construction line machinery in

spite of tough trading conditions.

The unaudited trading results for the six months ending April 30th

, 1969 are as follows: Sales totalled

£658,383 compared with sales of £558,765 for the same period of 1968. Group profit was £50,658

before tax compared to £44,390 for the same period in 1968.

An interim dividend of 4 per cent has been declared on the ordinary share capital of the company,

which will be made to shareholders on September 26th

.

Contracts for the purchase of the share capital of Holloway Hinson and Co Ltd, announced earlier

this year, have now been signed and shareholders will be circulated with full details shortly.

22

PRESS CUTTING LATE 1969

BEN TURNER GROUP MERGER

On completion of the merger between Ben Turner and Holloway, Hinson and Co Ltd., which is at

present Massey-Ferguson farm machinery distributor in West Sussex, Massey-Ferguson has agreed

with the Ben Turner directors to appoint the group as its distributor for industrial equipment in

Hampshire.

They will also be Massey-Ferguson’s distributors for farm machinery in south-east Hampshire.

The Ben Turner group would then hold the following Massey-Ferguson franchises: for farm

machinery in Surrey, West Sussex and south-east Hampshire; for industrial equipment in Surrey,

West Sussex, part of East Sussex, and most of Hampshire; and for construction machinery in Surrey,

Kent, East and West Sussex and most of Hampshire.

PRESS CUTTING 25TH

JULY 1969

TURNER TO TAKE OVER WOOD & CO.

Ben Turner & Son (Holdings) Ltd., has announced that agreement has been reached in principle to

acquire the farm machinery distribution subsidiary of Walter A. Wood & Co. Ltd. for cash. Details will

be circulated to shareholders shortly.

Wood & Co are Massey-Ferguson farm machinery distributors based in Horsham.

Mr John Wakeham, chairman and managing director of Ben Turner & Son, said: “This will enable us

to provide a better and more comprehensive service to the farmers in Surrey and Sussex.

“As a result of our recent merger with Holloway, Hinson and Co. Ltd., and our proposed merger with

Walter A. Wood Co. Ltd., we consider that we should be in a position to provide an even better

coverage for sales, service and parts of Massey-Ferguson products.

“The well known facilities of Hiretrac, which is the largest tractor rental fleet in the country, will also

be available throughout the group.”

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PRESS CUTTING EARLY 1972

BEN TURNER PROFITS INCREASED

Ripley-based distributors of construction and agricultural machinery, the Ben turner group, this

week announced pre-tax profits up from £148,910 to £181,818 for the year ended October 31st

1971, and the directors also stated that the group – the main distributor for Massey-Ferguson in the

South-east – should make a “significant increase” in the profit for the current year.

Directors have recommended a second interim dividend of 6-1/2 per cent, which raises the total for

the year from 10 per cent to 11 per cent.

Last year the group acquired the whole of the share capital of Power Diesels, based at Chertsey and

Woking, and the directors then said that the new acquisition would be a valuable part of the group

and would greatly increase its services.

Another successful subsidiary of Ben Turner is the specialist engineering company, Sendmarsh

Engineering, which had a profitable first year in 1970.

Ben Turner & Son (Overseas) incorporated since the end of 1970, is 51 per cent owned and is

engaged in the export of new machinery other than Massey-Ferguson products, mainly to the Far

23

East. Ben Turner & Son (Helicopters) is 45 per cent owned and last year was appointed sole UK

distributor for “Augusta” one of Europe’s largest helicopter manufacturers.

Earlier last year Lieut-Col Robert Smith, managing director of Ferranti Helicopters was appointed a

non-executive director of Ben Turner (Helicopters).

The second interim dividend of £24,164 is after allowing for the waiver of dividend rights by Mr John

Wakeham, chairman and managing director, and Mr F E Turner, a director, who have waived their

rights to the 6-1/2 per cent dividend on their holdings of 500,000 and 1,662,500 Ordinary shares of

10p each respectively.

Although the chairman, Mr John Wakeham, sees a “significant increase” in profit for the current

year, he says that a more accurate forecast will be made when the group holds its annual meeting at

Sendmarsh works.

Sendmarsh Works

24

THE CENTRAL SOUTHERN FARMER JULY 1973

OBITUARY

MR BEN TURNER

The death of Mr Ben Turner occurred at his home, Southdown, Cotmandene, Dorking, on the

morning of Ascension Day 31st

May, in his seventy-fourth year.

He was born in the very same house on 22nd

January 1900, the youngest of five boys and one girl. He

was educated at Dorking High School, and eventually apprenticed in his father’s foundry, the old

Dorking firm of Stone and Turner, in 1915. So began Ben Turner’s 50 odd years in Agricultural

Engineering.

Towards the latter part of the First World War he served in the R.F.C., and during the 1920s and

early 1930s travelled the farms of East Sussex and West Surrey, selling agricultural machinery. In

1933 however, he acquired the old family implement business which had been sold on his father’s

retirement some years before, and commenced trading under his own name on 1st

December that

year. This business was gradually built up during the 1930s and the Second World War, but real

expansion commenced in the mid-1940s which brought the start of a revolution in farm

mechanisation.

He founded with son Jim, the firm of Ben Turner & Son (Tractors) Ltd., at Sendmarsh works, Ripley,

which now houses the headquarters of the group of companies which bear his name. In 1958 he

transferred control of his tractor and implement business at Dorking to Send and founded Farm

Supplies (Dorking) Ltd., to deal with the dairying and fixed plant aspect of agricultural engineering.

He remained managing director until December 1963 when he retired from day to day participation

in business affairs. A year or two ago he felt obliged to up his directorship of the Ben Turner group,

but retained the chairmanship and control of Farm Supplies (Dorking) Ltd., up to the time of his

death. His main purpose in life during this time was “to serve the farmer to the best of his ability”.

In his young days he played football for Dorking. He was for many years a member of Dorking

Bowling Club and Dorking Branch of the NFU. He also took a great interest in Young Farmers affairs,

and was a vice president of the Surrey Agricultural Association. A natural enjoyment of life coupled

with a cheerful disposition and a lot of sound common sense endeared him to those around him,

and he will be sorely missed by his employees and a great number of friends both inside and out of

farming circles.

The funeral took place at Leatherhead Crematorium at mid-day on 6th

June 1973. The service was

conducted by Rev. I. C. S. Fenton, vicar of North Holmwood and attended by over 100 relatives,

friends and business associates,

He leaves a widow, and son Jim.

25

PRESS RELEASE OF UNKNOWN DATE (1990s).

Ben Turner has become a victim of falling sales and industrial polarisation.

BEN TURNER CALLS IT A DAY AND CLOSES IT’S LAST DEPOT

Ben Turner Industrial, in its heyday one of the leading equipment dealers in the south of England, is

to close, chief executive Simon Snow has confirmed.

Redundancy notices have been served on the few staff that remain at the company’s Maidstone

premises, and its only two franchises for Kubota and MF industrial, are to end.

Less than a decade ago Ben Turner, owned by holding company New Ship Group, ran six depots in

the south and had a turnover approaching £12m (although some of this was earned through it’s now

defunct agricultural division).

Over the years it sold some other best known Marques in the industry including Hitachi, Daewoo and

Hymac.

Only last year the company was one of the most successful Kubota dealers in the country.

Volumes have just continued to reduce across the industry. “Last year our turnover was down to

between £1m-2m” says Snow, who was Ben Turner’s managing director from 1981 to 1985 and was

brought back to the troubled company after running other parts of the New Ship empire.

Ben Turner’s demise could flag a growing problem for small to medium sized independent dealers

within the industry, the slow but sure polarisation of manufacturers. The company lost the highly

profitable Hanomag wheeled loader account when Komatsu bought into the German company.

Within a short space of time a number of dealers across Europe, including Ben Turner, had lost out

to Komatsu dealers.

The company is also believed to have been hit with a massive rent increase demand on its large

premises in Maidstone, although this is apparently under negotiation. Ben Turner is believed to have

a number of years left on the leases and is hoping to sub-let the buildings, which include a cavernous

workshop, at one time full of 360o

hydraulic excavators.

New Ship is expected to mothball the company but retain the trading name in case it wishes to re-

activate the business when the market picks up.

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26

JIM TURNER’S RETIREMENT YEARS.

After retiring from the UK businesses , he travelled the world seeking opportunities. He met his

second wife, Alice in Hawaii, whilst on such a trip, and subsequently divorced from Clare.

He eventually chose the British Virgin Islands and hoped to set up business in the marine field, but

his endeavours did not succeed for one reason or another, and so he and Alice settled for retirement

in the BVI.

They travelled the world every summer visiting relatives and friends and new places.

In the winter they grew marvellous fruit and vegetables in the difficult tropical conditions and Jim

won many prizes at the annual Botanic Garden Flower Show (also covering fruit and vegetables, art

and displays).

He was active all his life in the Freemasons and also assisted the local Agricultural Department with

equipment advice, as well as running a power boat and enjoying fishing.

He was very generous to local charities and organisations.

He died on 2nd

January 1998 at the age of 70, and his funeral in Tortola was attended by many

friends and acquaintances.

His widow, Mrs Alice Turner has decided to set up the F. E. Turner Endowment Fund to provide

scholarships at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, for the benefit of needy students.

27

At the Hunt

With the King of Tonga

1982 1980s 1990s