Barlo Motor Group - a success story 80 years in the making in Kilkenny and further afield

Established by Matt Barlow in 1944, Barlo Engineering operated under the name Clonmel Engineering Works.

Initially situated on Emmet Street in Clonmel, the company achieved a significant milestone in 1948 by being appointed as the main distributors for David Brown tractors and Claas combine harvesters. This pivotal contract granted Barlows exclusive distribution rights for David Brown and Claas in counties Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford.

The business flourished consistently throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In 1978 Barlo Farm Machinery, as it was now named, relocated its Clonmel premises to a state of the art facility, opened by Jim Gibbons, the Minister for Agriculture at the time.
Serving the farming community with immense pride, Barlo Farm Machinery operated from five branches in Clonmel, Kilkenny, Thurles, Tipperary Town and Dungarvan until the early 2000s.

Significant step
In 1989, a new generation of the Barlow family emerged and Barlo Motors took a significant step by venturing into the automotive industry. The company secured the position of the main Ford dealer for South Tipperary, a move that resonated deeply with people as the Barlo name held considerable significance.

This expansion was viewed as a positive development for the region, bringing Barlo Motors into the forefront of selling Ford cars and commercial vehicles. Fast forward to 1993, the group initiated a transformative shift by acquiring the Nissan brand, marking their inaugural entry into the automotive trade in Kilkenny and reshaping the landscape of the business.

The year 2002 brought a profound sense of sorrow to the company with the death of Dealer Principal Ray Barlow, who passed away after a brief illness. Ray had been an integral part of the organisation, contributing not only his expertise but also a deep sense of dedication and passion to the automotive industry.

The company regrouped where Alan and Ivan Barlow took to the helm to guide the company through this challenging period. Today, their leadership remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the organisation, exemplifying a dedication to maintaining the company’s legacy of excellence in the automotive industry.

In 2014 a significant opportunity for expansion in Clonmel came by us successfully acquiring the Hyundai dealership. This move not only marked a pivotal moment in the company’s growth but also opened up new avenues to strengthen the company’s presence in the region.

Over the course of the past 80 years in the business realm, Barlos have experienced various trials and challenges, with a notable milestone being the surge in car sales in 2000 coinciding with the introduction of the new 00 plate. Having navigated the economic downturn in 2009 and successfully pivoting operations during a global pandemic, they have managed to maintain a consistent staff size throughout these adversities.

As a company, Barlos take pride in the fact that their workforce has not only weathered these challenges but has also continued to grow. The sales, service, and technical departments boast individuals who have been part of the team for over 25 years, exemplifying their dedication to the company and family business.

Motto
The guiding principle and ethos at Barlo Motor Group has been to ‘Treat your customer as you would like to be treated yourself’. This enduring motto has proven its resilience over time, as evidenced by continued interactions with the grandchildren of customers who first engaged with the company in the 1940s.

The Barlow family are very proud of its heritage over the last 80 years. They look forward to serving both existing and future customers well into the future.