Our Story
It all began back in 1979, when founder David Balmer, then working as a greenkeeper at Nelson Golf Course, listened to his local neighbours. Asked constantly to help repair their lawnmowers, he realised there was a gap in the market for someone who truly understood turf machinery. That’s how Burnley Garden Machinery Centre was born.
Over the years, the business grew — more servicing, more customers, and a move into commercial equipment. By 1992, Balmer’s GM became a John Deere main turf dealer, stepping up in scale and expertise.
In 2014, the company officially rebranded to Balmer’s GM Ltd. But despite the era change, one thing stayed constant: it’s still very much a family business. David and Ann Balmer’s children — Joanne, Mark and Thomas — are deeply involved in the day-to-day running of the business, driving growth and innovation.
Where We Are Now
Today, Balmer’s GM is one of the UK’s largest dedicated turf machinery dealers, with depots in Burnley, Lancashire and Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
Between both sites, we’ve got around 70 talented team members working across sales, servicing, parts, and hire. Our customers range from local authorities and golf clubs to landscaping contractors, equestrian centres — even homeowners who take their lawns seriously.
What We Do
We’re more than just a showroom. At Balmer’s GM, you’ll find:
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New turf machinery — top brands, high performance
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Used equipment — quality second-hand machines, fully serviced
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Parts & servicing — keeping your machines in top shape
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Hire options — flexible rental for short-term or project work
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After-sales support — finance packages, expert advice, and more
Our Brands & Expertise
We’re proud to work with some of the biggest names in the turf-care world, including John Deere, Stihl, Husqvarna, Scag, Wiedenmann, and more.
Because of our deep heritage, we really understand the turf-care landscape — whether you’re running a golf course, managing a sports pitch, or just caring for a big garden.
Our Values & Commitment
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Family values: We've grown organically — our team is like one big family, and that sense of care extends to our customers.
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Integrity: Honest advice, fair pricing, and transparency are at the heart of what we do.
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Expertise: With 40+ years of experience, we know turf machinery inside-out.
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Service-first: Sales are just the beginning. We’re here for parts, repairs, hire, and ongoing support.
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Sustainability: We support long-term lawncare, helping customers maintain equipment so it lasts — rather than throwing things away.
Our Vision for the Future
As the turf machinery world evolves — with advances in battery-powered mowers, robotic technology, hybrid machines, and smarter servicing — Balmer’s GM is ready. We’re committed to staying at the cutting edge, delivering top-tier machines and support to every customer, whether you're a greenkeeper or a gardener.
