The help of our engineers can be a real Gamechanger

We’re proud of the high-quality work being done at our Engineering division - but don’t take our word for it.

We caught up with Somerset farmer Ashley Martin who ordered six calf sheds from our Witheridge site for his rapidly expanding beef rearing unit. And he’s planning another seven.

He said: “The team at Mole Valley were absolutely brilliant. They even advised us on the best financing so we could get going as soon as possible.

“The sheds arrived in kit form and I put them up myself. There wasn’t a nut or bolt missing. In fact, there were spares  just in case. They were also easy to erect and we have pushed 1,000 calves through them since they went up in April and I still have a few finishing touches to make.

“As you can imagine, they get a fair amount of wear and tear but they’re holding up really well. The sheds were just what we wanted, the galvanised finish was perfect and  
they arrived exactly when Witheridge said they would. 

“There were no delays and I’m not just saying it but the whole process was  hassle free. That’s why I’m planning to get seven more.”

It focuses on Aberdeen Angus genetics and delivering premium British beef within a fully transparent supply chain while reducing any environmental impacts.

Ashley is contracted at a yearly price allowing him to plan ahead without  having to deal with the current market volatility being faced by farmers throughout the UK. His Somerset farms are also Approved Finishing Units (AFU). 

Mole Valley Farmers has been encouraging beef farmers to embrace initiatives like Gamechanger, offering guidance along the way.

Our Head of Commercial Management, Adam May, who has been working closely with Ashley, said: “This is a real opportunity for him to invest in his business knowing he has the support needed to plan for the future.

“We’re owned by farmers and our driving force is to help them succeed, which is why everyone, from the welders and engineers at Witheridge to the team at Gamechanger, did their very best to get Ashley what he needed, as fast as he needed it."

“Hearing how well the unit is doing and how pleased he is with his new sheds is music to my ears and with more buildings planned, I’m sure the business will flourish.”

The talented team at Witheridge make some of the most important items on any farm, handmade and assembled on site.

From sheep pens to field gates, creep feeders to quad bike trailers...even cattle grids.

And they can help farmers with any building projects they might be planning from a new cattle barn to commercial buildings and large stables. 

We bought the Witheridge site, on the location of the old village forge, in the 1960s and it now employs 25 people and uses 500 tonnes of steel a year.

Site Manager Noel Wright said: “It’s always great to be able to help farmers like Ashley. Everything at Witheridge is checked and double checked because we understand our farmers need sturdy buildings and hardwearing kit to make their challenging jobs just a little bit easier.”

You can speak to our Engineering Team on 01884 860478 or email engineering@molevalleyfarmers.com.