Land-Based Engineering Students Explore UK Machinery Manufacturers
February 26, 2026
Final-year Land-based Engineering students from CAFRE recently completed a three‑day study tour across England, gaining first-hand insight into leading manufacturers, dealerships and the latest advances in agricultural machinery technology.
The tour commenced at the Case New Holland (CNH) Industrial plant in Basildon, one of the UK’s leading agricultural machinery manufacturing sites. Students learned how New Holland grew from the Fordson brand into today’s CNH machinery range and its place in the global market. A guided factory tour offered a rare opportunity to observe the assembly lines in full operation, including the production of New Holland T6 and T7 tractors as well as methane-powered models. Students gained an appreciation of the global supply chain and the precision required to produce machines tailored to diverse international regulations.
The group then travelled to Ulting, Maldon, to visit Ernest Doe & Sons—one of the UK’s largest and longest established agricultural machinery dealerships. Students gained an insight into the company’s extensive history, including the development of the iconic DOE Triple-D tractor. With preparations underway for the annual Doe Show, the group had an opportunity to explore large stocks of second-hand machinery and tour the dealership’s workshops, stores, and sales facilities. Through the visit, students gained a deeper understanding of the operational scale and the logistics involved in managing a major multi‑depot dealership.
On the second day, students attended NEC Birmingham for the LAMMA Show—the UK’s largest agricultural machinery exhibition. With major global manufacturers in attendance, the show offered the students an unparalleled opportunity to explore emerging technologies and engage directly with industry experts. Exhibits supported learning across the students’ curriculum, covering transmissions, electronics, cultivation systems, and engine technologies. For students preparing their Application Equipment assignments, the show offered significant value by allowing them to collect detailed technical information on machinery that is not typically used in Northern Ireland.
On the final day, the group visited McConnel Power Arm factory in Shropshire. As pioneers of the tractor‑mounted hedge cutter and long-standing leaders in vegetation management technology, McConnel has an 85‑year history of innovation, including the world’s first tractor‑mounted hedge cutter and developments such as parallel arm geometry and hands‑free cruise control. Marketing Manager Wayne Brown provided an overview of the company’s structure, global reach and ongoing product innovation. A guided factory tour allowed students to observe production processes first-hand and learn about the company’s latest technological advancements.
The tour concluded with a visit to John Bownes Ltd in Winsford, where John Bownes showed the students around the facilities. They learned about the dealership’s focus on Valtra machinery and its long-standing association with Roadless tractors. The tour included a viewing of Bownes’ extensive collection of vintage tractors, some dating back to the Waterloo Boy era , and an introduction to the company’s restoration work on classic machines.
Overall, the study tour offered students invaluable exposure to the wide range of career opportunities available within agricultural engineering, including manufacturing, design, sales, aftersales, and advanced machinery technology. The associated visits provided essential context to their studies and highlighted current and future developments within the sector.
CAFRE encourages students who are seeking an alternative to A levels and are considering a career in Land-based Engineering to attend the upcoming Open Day on Friday 13th March. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet staff and current students, explore the college’s extensive engineering facilities, and learn more about the diverse career pathways available within the land-based sector.