DAVID Evans Group has reassured employees in Toowoomba their jobs are not at risk despite the company announcing a major operational restructure.
Dry conditions have taken their toll on the family-owned industrial machinery company, with the group set to close its Warwick, Boonah and Biloela branches.
The company will retain its remaining four dealerships in Toowoomba, Brisbane, Gatton and Nambour.
Grandson of business founder David Evans and general manager Kurt Evans said the Warwick store opened in 1962 and first operated out of a small temporary hut.
"My father Robin opened it during a boom for agriculture and farming on the Darling Downs," Mr Evans said.
"The store employed and provided traineeships for countless local people, many of whom returned to run their own family farms over the past 52 years.
"The dealership's local customer base has been shrinking over the past several years, the family has been supporting the business, but it simply isn't possible anymore."
Mr Evans said several staff would stay in the company taking on different roles at remaining stores in Gatton, Toowoomba, Brisbane and Nambour.
The well-known agricultural business was originally established at Boonah in the 1950s.
"We have always been a big, little family-owned business," Mr Evans said.
"We're very aware of the commercial pressures in our market that have made this decision necessary.
"We have proven that small dealerships are no longer viable in the small markets today and this is a prudent measure to ensure our viability and that our remaining dealerships can keep going."
Mr Evans said they had built significant history on the Darling Downs and were committed to south-east Queensland.
"Our focus is on supporting performing dealerships that will now have even greater market opportunities," he said.
"As a family company we value trust and will appropriately support all exiting staff."
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