After almost four decades as a family-led Stock & Station agency, Ian Weir & Son Pty Ltd has been sold to George & Fuhrmann, marking the next chapter for one of Lismore’s most enduring rural businesses.

The company began on 1 July 1986 when Ian Weir, his son Glenn, Kevin Cocciola and Neil Short purchased the long-established Keith McLeay Pty Ltd. Since then, the business has grown steadily, purchasing Gil Crawford & Co in 1991 and Walker Gordon in 2003, building a reputation for reliability, continuity and long-standing client relationships.

Speaking with the Lismore App, Glenn said the decision to sell was reached only after months of reflection and discussion.

“It was yes one day and no the next,” he said, acknowledging the significance of parting with a business that has shaped both his working life and the experience of many local farmers.

“It was a big thing to think about. But Dad always used to say you never knock back a good offer because you never know when the next one might come along.”

What ultimately gave the founders confidence in the transition was George & Fuhrmann’s commitment to maintaining the existing staff and the way the business operates. Glenn said this was a non-negotiable element from the outset.

“We wouldn’t have considered selling if they weren’t going to employ our young blokes or keep the team together,” he said. “They told us everything would stay the same, and that was very important to us.”

The partnership between the two companies has developed naturally in recent years, with George & Fuhrmann already working alongside the Weir team on cattle sales and building a strong understanding of the business’s strengths.

“They could really see the benefits in how we do things here,” he said. “They respected what we’ve built.”

Although ownership is changing, the name Ian Weir & Son will continue to be used at the saleyards, maintaining the long-standing identity that producers recognise.

“The saleyards are known as Ian Weir & Son Lismore Saleyards. That will remain,” Glenn said. “We’ll operate as George & Fuhrmann, incorporating Ian Weir. People can identify with that name. It still means something.”

With George & Fuhrmann’s broader regional presence, including Casino, Warwick, Bangalow and Murwillumbah, Glenn said the transition offers added stability and opportunity for clients while preserving the trust the business has built since 1986.

“It’s good to know the business is in strong hands,” he said. “The staff are staying, the way we operate is staying, and everything will continue on.”

For a deeper look at the full history of Ian Weir & Son - from the early days in 1986 through to today - don’t miss the Lismore App’s detailed Sunday Profile with Glenn Weir in the coming weeks.