Lloyd Ltd has been a Cumbrian institution since 1964.

Starting as a Ford tractor dealership at Hardwicke Circus in Carlisle, the company continues to be family-run and is now into its third generation.

Founded by Ralph Lloyd, a keen sheep farmer and racehorse owner, Lloyd Ltd is now led by his son Barry.

His son George is group director, who also runs the Newcastle branch.

Now one of the biggest New Holland dealers in the country, the business has expanded its portfolio to offer a wide range of specialist farming equipment.

Key to the company’s success, it said, has been its ability to grow with the times, not just adding the latest in agriculture-related innovations, but also expanding into new industry sectors to which Lloyd Ltd’s expertise is suited.

In January, Lloyd Ltd was awarded Bobcat Dealer of the Year, a sign that its move into the construction sector proved fruitful.

The company has continued to invest in new commercial partnerships and, most importantly, in its staff’s skills to support its growing customer base.

Its most recent addition last month was the Toyota Material Handling franchise, adding their forklifts and pallet trucks to Lloyd Ltd’s range of warehousing solutions.

Another complementary sector is groundcare to which Lloyd Ltd provides specialist machinery for a host of applications, from golf courses to local councils.

A natural progression was equipment for domestic use and similarly, its move into offering equestrian clothing and supplies from its branches in Carlisle and Penrith, and quality used pick-ups at Carlisle, are all part of providing a one-stop shop for the rural community.

Always looking for the next opportunity and technology, from Precision Land Management solutions for efficient farming to the Husqvarna Automower, a robotic lawnmower which quietly cuts the grass so you have more time to enjoy the sunshine, Lloyd Ltd’s desire to change with the needs of its customers and to pre-empt the developments across its sectors is one of the many reasons for its longevity.

While the company has grown to have seven branches across the north of England and south of Scotland, its heart is firmly in Cumbria, and its recent extension at its Carlisle head office and new premises at Penrith are testament to the company’s continued plans to invest, grow and thrive to support its customers across the region.