The ideas of Philip Pierce and Company, Wexford interest me a lot especially in terms of what this firm did for farming in Ireland and how widespread their products were used. Of course there were other companies but it is their stock that I have come across in the Lee valley and frequently on my yearly visits to agricultural shows in County Cork.

In the late 1800s, the Philip Pierce and Company motto was The World, Our Market. Their stock were exported on the continent of Europe. In Asia, Pierce Mowing Machines became very popular and in France particularly the demand was so great that it became imperative to open an office in that country to ensure that the high quality service of the Firm was available to French farmers. So in the year 1889, the Firm of Philip Pierce et Cie” carried on business from their Paris Office with depots at Rouen, Bordeaux, Marseilles and Nantes.

The export trade was extended to the English colonies, especially the Antipodes, and the Pierce Tumbler Rake became very popular in Australia, large consignments being sent each year. In central America and in South American States, Pierce Mowers were universally used and gained preference in popularity over all the well-known American machines.

The Firm continued to expand its markets and sent its products to all parts of the world. Philip and Martin Pierce had seen and seized their opportunity and were ahead of many of their rivals. Competition grew keener but Pierce machines held the lead and the firm’s connection continued to grow. Their famous horse gear was eventually superseded by electrical and steam power and by the internal combustion engine. As the process of evolution, pursued its way in the use of motive power, so did the Firm adapt itself to new methods. As the outlet in one direction gradually closed, other machines were ready to fill the gap, and so the firm continued to prosper.

Awards and medals were frequent addition to the offices of the Wexford factory. In the year 1882, the distinction obtained by Pierce Machinery was acknowledged in the shape of awards made by the foremost agricultural Societies. Pierce Exhibits took honours in both Ireland and England and further afield on the European continent. At the Dublin Exhibition in 1882, the firm obtained the Gold Medal for General Excellence in Agricultural Machinery. At the Cork Industrial Exhibition in 1883, Pierce were awarded the maximum number obtainable of three highest prize medals. The factory also obtained distinctions at the Paris International Exhibition of 1900.