Motor-Ag closes doors
MOTOR-Ag of Leongatha closed its doors last Friday week, December 27, marking the end of an era for the Cusack and Charlton families who have been involved in the tractor dealership for 56 years.
But the closure may only be temporary, with discussions taking place with a business person to take on the dealership which sells Case IH tractors, and other brands including Pottinger, Crump, Howard and Duncan farm equipment.
Should this succeed, some of the current employees could retain their jobs.
Case IH is believed to be keen to keep a presence in Leongatha, servicing South Gippsland’s farmers.
The family involvement was started by the late Brian and Betty Cusack as B.T. and B. Cusack P/L. It later became South Gippsland Autofarm P/L.
For the last 18 years the business has been owned and run by Mick and Ann Charlton under the name of Motor-Ag of Leongatha. The dealership used this name as it sold Subaru cars for a short period.
Speaking to Mick Charlton on Monday, he denied getting out had anything to do with the state of the agricultural industry.
“Absolutely not. We had a good 2012 including an excellent November and December,” he said.
“The lease on the building has come up and I decided it was the right time to get out. I have a caravan which has been sitting idle and I really want to start travelling.”
Mick is planning a clearing sale at the end of the month to clear out stock which “has accumulated for the last 56 years”.
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