Farmhand LTD was formed as a 50/50 partnership between Denis Scrivener and Bernhard Krone, grandfather of the current Krone CEO. Employing just 3 people, Farmhand rented an office in Merrion Square, Dublin city centre, and a yard behind a pub in Lucan.

Farmhand became the first importer for Quicke outside of Scandinavia. Quicke was the world’s first drive-in front loader making it possible for smaller farmers to easily handle materials such as hay and manure, and optimise their productivity. Denis Scrivener is still fondly remembered for the demonstrations of being able to take a loader off a tractor in less than 90 seconds at shows around the country. 

Farmhand moved to the first industrial premises location in Phibsboro, Dublin. This gave the company room to store machines directly from Dublin Port before they were distributed around the country.

 The Leyland Challenge Cup is won by the Ab ALO Quicke loader at the Balmoral Show. The Prize-winning loader, which fitted 114 different tractors, took just 30 seconds to attach or detach and was compatible with 10 different implements, such as a manure fork and bucket.

Farmhand began importing Amazone tillage equipment. The first Amazone machine to be available in Ireland was a twin disc fertiliser spreader which we still have on display in the showroom today. 

By 1972 Farmhand had grown significantly, employing 20 people, the business moved to a purpose-built facility in Castleknock. This was also the year that John Scrivener, Denis’ son joined the company after studying Business at Trinity College.

John Scrivener took over as managing director when Denis retired in 1975.

Fastparts, a separate division within Farmhand, was established in 1987 to supply a wide range of wearing and fast-moving parts for all makes of tractors and agricultural machinery. Products include parts for ploughs, sprayers, mowers and tractors - among many others.

John Scrivener purchased the Krone shares of Farmhand in 1993 and the business became an entirely Scrivener family owned company.

The first Krone BiG M was sold in Ireland in 1998. The BiG M remains unique in the world of agricultural machinery. It is the world’s only mass-produced, self-propelled mower. 

In 2008, Farmhand moved from its 2.5acre site in Castleknock to a purpose built, state of the art facility in Damastown, Dublin 15. Many people question the sense in having an agricultural distributor in Dublin, far away from our core, grassland customers. However, since we import 100% of our machinery from mainland Europe, it makes sense to be close to Dublin Port and transport links around the country.

Despite the first prototype being unveiled to the public in 2000 it was 2009 before the first demonstration BiG X forage harvester was available in Ireland. This machine was the BiG X 650 and the first to include the VariStream Crop Flow System that is still in use on the new models today.

Paul Scrivener joined Farmhand in 2005 after graduating with a degree in Business from DCU. Paul worked as a despatch driver, and then area sales manager before being appointed Operations Director in 2012. When John stepped down as managing director at the end of 2015 Paul Scrivener took over.

Sinead joined Farmhand in 2005 after graduating with a masters degree in business from DCU. Sinead became an area sales manager for Fastparts, before moving to Parts Manager in 2014. In 2016 Sinead was appointed parts director.

Stephen Scrivener joined Farmhand in 2013 after graduating from Trinity College with a degree in Business. After working in despatch, marketing and sales, Stephen was appointed marketing director in 2017. In 2020 Stephen assumed the sales and marketing director position. 

Fastparts celebrated 30 years in business with an open evening for their 350+ dealers and the launch of the online webshop. The webshop allows dealers to place orders with next day delivery. Although a trade account is needed to order from the site, anybody can browse the range, print what they want and bring it to their local dealer.

www.fastparts.ie

TJ joined Farmhand in 2008 as an area service manager and later became overall service manager before being appointed technical director in 2020. 

Famhand parts warehouse and machinery covered storage is doubled in size. The total premises now stands at over 7 acres. 

Building to expland the Farmhand premises was completed in 2022. Famhand parts warehouse and machinery covered storage is doubled in size and the total premises now stands at over 7 acres.