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Thatchers Purchase Spider Mower

September 4, 2018/in Machinery, Press Release/by Peter Driver

Thatchers Purchase Spider Mower: Thatchers, the iconic Somerset-based cider makers, have purchased a Spider 1 remote controlled mower from supplying dealer, Loxston Groundcare. The new mower will be used to ensure that the premises are maintained to an exceptional standard around the ever-growing cider mill and the adjoining orchards. Commenting on the new mower Neil Day, Operations Director at […]

R Hunt & New Forest Merge

September 4, 2018/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Steve Mitchell

R Hunt & New Forest Merge: John Deere dealerships R Hunt Ltd and New Forest Farm Machinery Ltd are set to merge under the new name Hunt Forest Group. The family owners of both companies have signed an agreement which will commence on January 1, 2019. Until then, the two dealers will continue to trade as they […]

Thatchers Purchase Spider Mower

September 4, 2018/in Machinery, Press Release/by Peter Driver

R Hunt & New Forest Merge

September 4, 2018/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Steve Mitchell

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Thatchers Purchase Spider Mower

September 4, 2018/in Machinery, Press Release/by Peter Driver

Commenting on the new mower Neil Day, Operations Director at Thatchers said,

“We were founded on this site in 1904 and the current Managing Director, Martin Thatcher, is the fourth generation of the family to head the company. Under Martin’s stewardship the business has grown substantially and with that success we have had to increase the infrastructure here. Most notably the production facilities and warehousing. As a rural company with an international profile, we are considerate about our impact on the environment and keeping the profile of our buildings as unobtrusive as possible.

“As an example, to construct our new Jubilee building we excavated down into the existing ground level, which enabled us to lower the roofline. However, the result was that we now have grass banks to maintain and so we needed a mower that could help us do that, so I tasked our Maintenance technician, Ed Young to review the market.”

“Using the internet, I found various videos of Spider mowers and their tracked competitors,” he said. “I discounted the tracked versions as they appeared too aggressive on the turf and then reviewed the Spider website. I sent an enquiry to Spider’s UK Sales Manager, Nick Penn and a demo was quickly arranged here at Myrtle Farm. I was very impressed, as was Neil, and we virtually placed our order ‘on the spot’.

“We have many visitors to Myrtle Farm including regular tours and our biennial Open Day, which has been in our calendar since 1993 and attracts thousands of people each time. It’s important that we keep the premises in pristine condition all year round and the Spider is now integral to our grounds maintenance regime.”

About Thatchers

It 1904 William John Thatcher first made his apple cider at Myrtle Farm. His farm workers enjoyed William’s finest as part of their wages and were said to be the best around. Today, the company still has the best cidermakers working at Myrtle Farm, just like the cider! Stanley Thatcher was born in 1910 and was the real cider business pioneer; he was the person who decided to start making draught cider and sold it to local pubs.

John Thatcher took over the business in 1970, expanding the orchards and the presses. Although he’s now retired and enjoying a much-earned rest, like most farmers John is still a big presence around the farm, offering his opinion and experience, and is always on hand to do a bit of ‘quality control’. In 1981, the historic 150-year old oak vats were moved into a new warehouse on the farm; they are still used to mature the company’s cider.

In 1992 Martin Thatcher took over from his father, John, and is still in charge today. His job involves looking after the whole operation, from the orchards to the bottling and beyond. Thatchers now produces more cider in a day, than it did in a year back in the early 1990s.

Thatchers very first television advert was launched in the summer of 2010 and in the same year they purchase a further 180 acres of orchard at Shiplate, overlooking the Bristol Channel. In 2014, their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited Myrtle Farm to open the new Jubilee Building and a year later Thatchers Gold was exported to North America for the first time. Thatchers products now sell in over 22 countries worldwide. Last year saw the introduction of Orchard Cut Gin and Family Reserve, using the company’s knowledge of apples to create something a little different at Myrtle Farm.

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R Hunt & New Forest Merge

September 4, 2018/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Steve Mitchell

Tim Hunt will become managing director of the new business while Ed Smales, the current dealer principal of New Forest Farm Machinery, will take a director’s role. Hunt Forest Group will continue to operate from the same outlets across southern England, with the same staff.

R Hunt is a longstanding John Deere agricultural and homeowner equipment dealer with four outlets covering Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight. It has been a John Deere dealer since 1971 and currently employs 71 staff.

New Forest Farm Machinery is an agricultural, professional turf, homeowner and construction equipment dealer employing 43 people and trading from two outlets, one in Hampshire and one at recently opened turf premises in Somerset. It has been a John Deere agricultural dealer since 1979 and has held the company’s turf franchise since 1986.

“Both companies are well-established, profitable businesses that place a strong emphasis on customer service, and the merger is perfectly aligned with our Dealer of Tomorrow strategy,” says John Deere’s division sales manager Joedy Ibbotson. “This will provide the new business with more resources for both customers and staff, more inventory, more product support capability and a greater knowledge base, all of which will help deliver an even more distinctive customer experience.”

R Hunt managing director Tim Hunt says: “Both families feel confident that this merger will help to establish Hunt Forest Group as a frontline ag and turf dealer in the UK. The emphasis is very much on the ability for both companies to grow and have the opportunity to engage with more customers, with a more diversified product line-up for the entire business.”

New Forest Farm Machinery managing director Ed Smales adds: “We are excited about working with the Hunt family to further grow our business as Hunt Forest Group. Their experience in large ag machinery and precision farming will enhance the customer experience within our existing territory and help us create a more diverse and robust dealer business for the future.”

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Thatchers Purchase Spider Mower

R Hunt & New Forest Merge

Thatchers Purchase Spider Mower

R Hunt & New Forest Merge

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Thatchers Purchase Spider Mower

R Hunt & New Forest Merge

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