MBW’s ripe harvest

10 July 2020

Food production was recognised as an essential service and farmers have continued working throughout the pandemic. Some have been undertaking improvement projects, in turn creating demand for equipment.

“Farmers can get grant aid for concreting their yards to protect water courses by preventing slurry leaching into the ground,” said Greig Sandiford, Managing Director of Bolton-based MBW (Europe). “That has led to demand for compaction plates, ride-on trowels and other machines.

“We furloughed some people but we have remained open throughout the crisis. We have a contract to supply equipment to a major utility, so we had to be able to support them," he added. "We all worked from home, except for four warehouse staff who worked in pairs and did alternate shifts to minimise the potential impact of the virus.

“Since the beginning of June the phones have gone ballistic," said Greig. "There is obviously a lot of concrete being laid. During the lockdown, the weather was glorious and people have been building patios, laying paving and undertaking other tasks. The ‘weekend warriors’ have become week-long users!”