| Things
started well, since by 1910 Ernest Doe not only bought the freehold
of the blacksmith’s and built a new house (Hill View) next to
the smithy, he also bought the neighbouring farm. In 1920, after the war, the business spurted again when Ernest Doe Jnr (Ernie), persuaded his father to buy a number of the tractors being sold off by the Ministry of Munitions. This was the start of the tractor business. One of the first agencies the firm held was for Case tractors, but they also began to sell Fordson tractors which were purchased from the local Ford dealer. In 1930, the firm became a Fordson dealer in its own right, purchasing tractors directly from Dagenham, and in 1934 Allis-Chalmers was added to the list of tractor agencies. Unfortunately, the founder, Ernest Doe, fell ill in 1936 and the following year it was decided to form a partnership comprising; Ernest Doe Snr, Ernest Doe Jnr (Ernie) and Herbert Doe (Bert). By 1939, the firm had a substantial industrial contracting business and Bert ran this whilst Ernie looked after the agricultural side. Hugh Doe, brother of Ernie and Bert, was a full time farmer. Also in this year, Ernie had a successful meeting with Ransomes and the firm was appointed as a dealer for tractor implements – horse drawn implements being specifically excluded!
In Essex, 25 Fordson tractors and Ransomes ploughs were made available to assist in these tasks and Ernie Doe was asked to organise the use of this equipment and the premises of Cubitts Farm, opposite the firm’s works at Ulting, were made available. A total of 240 tractors were sold in 1941 and as parts were not readily available, machine tools to make replacements were installed. In order to service the requirements of these tractors across the county, the firm opened its first branches in 1943 at Fyfield and Hythe Hill, Colchester. The company now has branches in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. During the 1930s and 40s, Ernie had been keeping a watchful eye on the progress of combine harvesters and by 1949 the company was regularly visiting the Massey-Harris headquarters in Trafford Park, Manchester in order to secure supplies from the new factory in Kilmarnock.
The result was what was initially called the Doe Dual Drive, which later became known as the Triple D. Production started in 1957 and the tractor was demonstrated and taken to shows in the UK and Europe. It won a Silver Medal at the 1960 Royal Show at Cambridge. In all, 289 Triple Ds were sold between autumn 1958 and autumn 1964. Units were exported to Germany, Ireland, Nigeria, Russia, Sweden, Uruguay and the USA. Replacement of the Fordson Super Major with the new 5000 in 1964 sent the company back to the drawing board and a more powerful, stronger and up to date tractor was born – the Doe 130. This easily outperformed the Triple D, but by the time the 150 was introduced, there was increased competition from other manufacturers to produce high powered four wheel drive tractors, and so production ceased in 1968.
In 1956, after a long period of negotiations, the company decided to sign up exclusively to Ford as tractor dealers, a decision which was ratified again in 1957. At this time, Massey-Harris joined forces with Harry Ferguson and whilst Ernest Doe & Sons remained an exclusive tractor dealer with Ford, it meant having to forego selling Massey-Harris combines. This gap was eventually filled by New Holland and in 1986, when Ford bought New Holland, this was a situation which worked in the favour of Ernest Doe & Sons. Of course by 1990, Ford sold its agricultural business to Fiat, but again the company found that the new situation worked well. One of the main reasons for this is that Fiat is totally committed to the agricultural machinery business and is continually developing new machines.
It was decided to settle with Ford, selling in the familiar South East of England territory. The arrangement exists today where the company now markets New Holland construction equipment alongside O&K, Hyundai, Komatsu Utility, Barford and Winget.
Ernest and later Alan Doe had limited success with professional grass machinery, but under the guidance of Colin Doe, the company has seen tremendous growth in this market sector during the 90s and to the present day. The company is a Textron (formerly Ransomes) dealer and opened branches at Esher and Billingshurst especially for this purpose. Many golf clubs and local authorities rely upon the company for the supply and servicing of this specialist equipment and this has now led to other markets such as small road sweepers.
The stores at every branch have always been stocked with the farmer’s requirements. But this has now meant that the showrooms have broad appeal across the local population with power tools, garden machinery, Calor gas and outdoor clothing being attractive to many people.
This has proved a successful formula and the show goes from strength to strength. Visitors come from all over the UK and it always gets the year off to a good start.
The company’s chairman, Alan Doe, has written a 92 page illustrated hard back book about the firm’s history entitled “A century of service”, priced £14.95. Copies can be obtained by emailing a request to alandoe@ernestdoe.com |
Alan Doe (left) and Colin
Doe - Photograph by courtesy of Farmers Guide
The Domobile Universal Excavator
The Doe Show