About Horwood Bagshaw
Local History
The Early Years
Horwood Bagshaw was founded by John Stokes Bagshaw, who established the Pioneer Works in Elizabeth St Adelaide, South Australia in 1838. In the early years, the Pioneer Works focused on producing a range of tools and equipment for various industries, including mining and agriculture. John Henry Horwood also established his own company, JH Horwood & Co, in 1882, which produced hydraulic hoists, wool-scouring machines and well-boring tools.
In 1924, JH Horwood & Co was acquired by JS Bagshaw & Sons Ltd, and the two companies merged to form Horwood Bagshaw Ltd. The new company continued to produce a range of tools and equipment for various industries, including agriculture, and soon became known for its high-quality products and innovative designs.
The 1950s and Beyond
In the 1950s, Horwood Bagshaw underwent significant changes, with the Mile End plant being reorganised into one of the most modern foundries in the southern hemisphere. The company also began exporting its machinery to South Africa and South East Asia, and by the 1960s, the Horwood Bagshaw group of companies was manufacturing the largest range of agricultural implements offered by one manufacturer in Australia.
At its prime, Horwood Bagshaw employed a significant number of personnel, with almost 1,000 employees in Australia. In 1972, the company made an acquisition that would shape its future, acquiring David Shearer located in Mannum, South Australia. This acquisition allowed Horwood Bagshaw to consolidate its operations at the Mannum site, which remains the company's manufacturing facility to this day. In 1974, the company made the strategic decision to relocate its entire operations from two Adelaide sites to Mannum, which was followed by a comprehensive redevelopment of its factory.
Over the years, Horwood Bagshaw has continued to expand its product range and improve its manufacturing processes, and today the company offers a comprehensive range of high-quality agricultural machinery and equipment, including cultivators, drills, air seeders, spreaders and more.
Recent Developments and Future Plans
In 2018, Horwood Bagshaw was acquired by CNH, a leading global manufacturer of agricultural machinery and equipment. The acquisition has allowed Horwood Bagshaw to expand its reach and offer its products to a wider market, while also giving the company access to CNH’s extensive resources, expertise and technology.
Horwood Bagshaw has established itself as a leading producer of agricultural machinery and the company's commitment to producing high-quality products has resulted in a steady stream of offerings that are sold through more than 80 dealerships located throughout the country.
Horwood Bagshaw has earned a reputation for providing reliable, durable, and re-sellable products, as well as exceptional after-sales support. This has resulted in many Australian farmers choosing to purchase Horwood Bagshaw machinery for their operations. The company's seed drill/cart product has been particularly successful, capturing over 15% of the Australian market. Additionally, Horwood Bagshaw's grader scraper has found success in the irrigation sector.
Current products in the market
Horwood Bagshaw provides a variety of tillage implements and land-forming equipment. The Scaribars are versatile and can be used for a range of tillage activities, boasting a reputation for being tough, strong, and reliable. The Grader/Scrapers offer increased profitability in irrigated lands, while their Precision Seeding System optimizes soil conservation and seeding performance. This system combines the ground-following capabilities of Horwood Bagshaw's Parallelogram and Presswheel with the versatility of variable rate Airseeders, yielding benefits such as improved soil structure, minimal soil disturbance, enhanced seed placement, and reduced fertiliser toxicity.
In addition to Airseeders and tillage products, Horwood Bagshaw also offers a range of fertiliser spreading solutions for farmers. Their trailed spreaders come equipped with twin chain conveyors for efficient fertiliser spreading, and their True Variable Width Spreaders feature patented Twin Chain Technology. This innovative technology provides complete control over the spread width and ensures compatibility with existing equipment.
Horwood Bagshaw offers a comprehensive lineup of agricultural products, from Airseeders and tillage implements to fertiliser spreading equipment. With a focus on efficiency, reliability, and versatility, their solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of modern farmers.