Consumers of all types of products have become more demanding in recent years. They want to know where what they buy came from, how they were made and who made them.

Massey Ferguson can confirm this trend, having recorded a steady increase in the number of requests from farmers and other users to visit the tractor plant at Beauvais, France, to see for themselves the processes, technology, materials, quality control – and the people – that combine to create a truly global brand.

The desirability of the factory tour is highlighted by its growth as a surprise destination organised by family members for birthday, anniversary and even wedding presents!

The daughters of County Galway farmer Celsus Treacy, and his wife, thought Beauvais would add the perfect finishing touch to a romantic long weekend in Paris for the couple – Dad in particular.

The Treacys farm Sevenacres Angus, a 30ha holding near Ballinasloe. where they run 30 commercial cows and pedigree Angus cattle, some of which are taken to shows through the year. They also keep sheep and in most years sow a few acres of spring barley.

“My grandfather bought a new MF 20 in the 1950s and my uncle a new MF 265s in 1980 and we've also had a MF 128 baler and MF 70 mower,” Celsus recalls, “and now I'm the third generation of the family to have purchased a new Massey Ferguson tractor.”

How this investment came about will strike a chord of familiarity for many. “For years, I had wanted to visit the factory in order to see how the tractors were built.” he explains. “So two Christmases ago, our daughters sent my wife and I to Paris for a holiday – at the same time arranging for me to go out to Beauvais to see the factory.

“It was a very interesting tour of the plant, to see the tractors coming along the line and then the finished article. I was particularly interested in the hydraulic test beds, and very impressed, too, with the standard and intelligence of the engineers working in the factory.

“My daughter Kate works with me full-time on the farm,” Celsus continues, “so as I was planning to change the main tractor, we both went to see a lot of dealers, looking at a number of different makes and models in the 120-130hp category, bearing in mind what we wanted the tractor to do for us.

“Massey Ferguson came out top for us, as it clearly had the best all-rounder in that power category. The MF 6613 suited us best for what we want out of our tractor – the AGCO Power engine is a big part of that reason, when comparing other makes and models. The 6613 handles all our day-to-day jobs, as well as heavier work, like ploughing, silage-making, etc.

“I particularly like the size of the tractor – neither too big, nor too small – it's very fuel efficient and very comfortable to travel in, with a very spacious cab. I'm very impressed with the turning lock – it's second to none. I'm also extremely happy with the gearbox – very smooth (not jumpy, like some other makes) – and in my opinion the best on the market.

The MF 6613 obviously ticks the boxes for Celsus, so how does he rate the Massey Ferguson dealership that supplied it?

“The buying experience was excellent,” he reports, “dealing, as we did, with Whelan's Garage at Loughrea – by far the best dealership around us. They are very straight to deal with and true to their word. I will most definitely be dealing with Whelan's again.”

Speaking for Whelan's Garage, Nelius Buckley says that when the Treacys first visited, they were very clear on the specification of the tractor they required.

“This was as a result of them having seen the product range on their visit to the Massey Ferguson factory,” he maintains. “Dealing with Celsus and Kate was a pleasure, and the staff at Whelan's wish them well with their purchase.'