After working as a machinery salesman for 18 years in the New England area, Tony Williams and his wife Elizabeth began their own farm machinery business, Tony Williams Machinery (TWM) in October 1972.
The business is situated on a three hectare site on the northern outskirts of Armidale in the heart of the New England. Almost 50 years on, TWM, is one of the region’s leading agricultural machinery operators, stretching from Tenterfield to Walcha, and from Bundarra out to Ebor.
The secret to TWM’s success is excellent clients; excellent products to sell; and the best back-up service. If someone has got a problem, TWM get a mechanic who understands it on the job quickly. TWM’s clients are made up of a mixture of superfine merino wool growers, beef cattle & sheep meat producers, many of whom are second and third generation customers.
Today, Tony and Elizabeth are semi-retired, but still keep an eye on the business as the next generation takes over. Their son Anthony has taken on the dealership with their daughter Lisa managing the sales and service side of the business. Their grandson Matthew is an apprentice mechanic.
Williams Seeders is a subsidiary of Tony Williams Machinery and was born due to the dramatic changes to traditional farming methods and advancements in technology over the past 20 years.
Lead designer, Anthony Williams drew the plan for the first drill seeder on the back of a beer coaster and built the first prototype drill seeder by hand in his garage. With no engineering experience, but with his extensive mechanical experience and a deep understanding of local farmers and their needs, he identified the need for an Australian-made more efficient seeder than those previously available on the market.
Anthony’s 40 years’ experience working with local farmers told him he needed to design a machine that was easy to use, low maintenance and had the strength and durability to suit the New England conditions. Anthony always said, “if they are built to suit New England farmers, they will work anywhere”. Williams Seeders employ the latest technology to deliver a robust, versatile, simple, easy clean and easy adjust direct drill seeder. Williams trailing direct drill/multi seeders are an advancement on traditional cultivation methods. The process minimises tillage, reduces fertiliser needs and maximises seeding strike, looking after the soil to ensure land can be used for farming for generations to come. The machine has been so successful, we have now sold over 380 machines, including two internationally.
Tony Williams Machinery purchased the Vari Drive box business from Active Industries in June 2011 and relocated it to our existing business in Armidale. The Vari Drive Box was designed for the speed control of seed and fertilizer metering on planting equipment. Other uses include metering of low volume material such as feed additives into animal feeding systems.
The Vari Drive Boxes are now manufactured in Armidale and are sold to other manufacturers, including many of our competitors.