Since 1878 John Atkins & Co have been supporting, working with and delivering to Irish Farmers. Through the generations the same top-quality standards have been maintained.
1878 - John Atkins met Joseph Wolfe to form an agricultural merchants at 49 South Mall, Cork.
1885 - Second outlet opened at 5 Patrick's Quay. Company now north & south of the river.
1898 - McKenzies, a then competitor on nearby Camden Quay was acquired. Atkins and McKenzies were kept as separate entities offering different products and serving different customers.
1899 - The Legal entity, John Atkins & Co. Ltd. was founded. Registration no. 2827, now one of Ireland's oldest surviving companies. Company 50% owned by both John and Joseph.
1900 - Rapid growth required another outlet. 54 South Mall, Cork was opened.
1910 - WWI, War of Independence & Civil war. Period of retrenchment. John & Joseph, being of the Protestant faith, must have thought about getting out but didn't and passed the business on to the second generation.
1920 - Expansion again. Southern Seed Company acquired, outlet opened in Di**le, Co. Kerry.
1936-45 - "Economic War", WWII: a grim period in Irish life and farming. Any company done well to come through it.
1950 - And we're off again. Into the third generation now. Outlet opened in Clonakilty. New fertiliser subsidiary, CFD, complete with drying plant, built at Monahan Rd., Cork. Staff partake in funding the new company.
1961 - South Mall outlets closed, Winthrop Street "home and garden store" with its cutting edge "self selection" format opened.
1964 - Relocation of the farm machinery business from Patrick's Quay in Cork City to Carrigrohane Road on the outskirts of the city. Commencement of importation of several lines of machinery from Europe, including Bredal & Bogballe which are still successful today.
1970-1980 - Ireland joins EEC, farming flourishes, machinery in demand. Addition of branches at Bandon, Fermoy, Midleton to consolidate the territory of Cork for the farm machinery division. McKenzies (garden machinery) and Gardenworld also thrive on the urbanisation of Ireland.
1996 - Peter Wolfe (4th generation) buys out Atkins family shareholders.
2008 - Gardenworld rebuilt after a flood the previous year
