Clark Equipment’s constant growth has allowed the company to operate on a large scale, with diverse machinery backed up by specialised knowledge
There is so much more to Clark Equipment than first meets the eye.
Starting life as an American company more than 100 years ago, the name first gained prominence in Australia during World War II when it assisted the logistics of Allied forces in this country.
Its Australian presence grew, being a wholly owned subsidiary of the New York Stock Exchange listed Clark Equipment Co, before a 1988 buyout by the company’s local senior managers saw it become an independent, Australian-owned company.
Fast forward to the present day and Clark Equipment – which remains a family business – is thriving.
Its business includes manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling and supporting equipment not only in agriculture, but other sectors such as construction and materials handling.
Clark’s footprint is significant, with 21 branches and 45 dealers supported by a further 30 service agents – all of which is spread across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.
Clark employs more than 500 people while its annual turnover exceeds $500 million, putting it into the IBIS top 500 private companies list.
It is undoubtedly a big player in the Australian farm machinery space but remains one which has not lost sight of its core purpose – its customers.
Something for everyone
Clark Equipment’s product range is extensive, with even just its agricultural offering giving a snapshot as to the company’s size.
The main tractors represented by Clark Equipment are McCormick and Bobcat, while the likes of Enorossi hay equipment, Orsi mulchers, Muratori hoes, plus Daken electric fencing also feature in the group’s range.
Clark customers can also access zero-turn mowers, telehandlers and construction equipment from Bobcat, while Develon (formerly Doosan) products such as excavators and wheel loaders also come under the Clark umbrella.
Clark Equipment even sell Stetson hats, providing a further insight into just how much is available through the company.
Clark also does its own manufacturing in the materials handling side of the business, while its agricultural equipment is imported from around the world – including the United States, Europe and Asia.
Supporting this volume of product across the country requires a strong business model, which is why Clark has agricultural branches in every state to ensure backup service is readily accessible.
National product manager David Knoke says the diversity of products available is one of the most exciting aspects of being involved with Clark Equipment.
“I love that it’s an Australian owned and operated business and the fact that you are exposed to so much product and history,” he says.
“It’s the ability to meet customers with differing challenges to overcome and being able to offer a solution.
“It’s exciting, you get exposure to different products and business strategies from countries and cultures all around the world. Personally, that’s what gives me the buzz.”
Strong endorsements
Having had such a long history in business, Clark Equipment knows there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to Australian business.
Different farming areas require different products, which is why many of its attachments and implements are specialised and exclusively available through Clark.
Conversely, the company also knows that general purpose equipment will appear to the widest market possible – which is why McCormick and Bobcat’s utility tractors are so desirable.
Combined with expert knowledge from its product specialists and national backup, it is little surprise there is a long list of customers happy with both their purchasing experience and product itself.
One such customer is Tom Pearce, a dairy farmer in the New South Wales town of Bega.
Farming alongside his father, it is a combination of brand loyalty from yesteryear plus the reputation of Clark Equipment as distributor which encouraged Pearce to not only buy a McCormick tractor but also add a second one when it came time to expand.
Pearce’s nearest Clark Equipment branch is in Fyshwick, and he is thankful for both the skill of the mechanics and speed of work when they have been called upon, with Clark’s size as a company helping to give him confidence that any issues which arise will be quickly resolved.
It is rare for brand loyalty to extend as far as one staking their entire job on a product, but Woodlands Enterprises clean out manager Mick O’Keeffe is one who would do so.
The Queensland-based poultry company uses Bobcat telehandlers exclusively – and that is the only way he will have it.
Such a strong endorsement is based on the quality of the product, which O’Keeffe speaks glowingly about, but the service received from his closest Clark branch at Kunda Park on the Sunshine Coast further solidifies his love for the Bobcat telehandlers.
Constant growth
For a company which offers manufacturing, sales and service while juggling both importing and exporting of machinery, there is always something happening at Clark Equipment.
The company’s growth journey has been so sustained that Knoke admits the extent of the growth has somewhat crept up on him.
“It is actually still a family business that’s got big without even actually realising that we’ve got so big in a lot of ways,” he says.
“We’re so diverse and I think that access to so many products you can’t get elsewhere is a big deal for sure, and then you add the history and the strength of the company.”
Clark Equipment’s head office is at 30 Salisbury Road in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby.
Its full branch network and product range can be viewed online at www.clarkfarmequipment.com
