Spring 2023 Update
Facility Renovations, Tours and Demo Days
It’s
been a while since our last update and plenty has
happened out and about with our machinery but even more so behind the scenes at
the Weaving Machinery production facility. Through 2022 our facilities went
through a large renovation, which included the installation of a large bespoke
shotblasting system and two new paint spraying booths, with product quality
optimisation the leading objective.
Both of these new installations require a great amount of energy and being conscious of spiralling energy bills and the need to source renewable alternatives, both production buildings have been laid with solar panels which should provide sufficient energy to cover our needs.
On completion of the production facility
upgrades, we were pleased to open our doors to a group of farmers brought
together by Todd Jex at AGRII for a factory tour and a closer look at the
machinery. As a family-run company and British manufacturer, we are very proud
to promote what we do and following very positive feedback from the day, we
look forward to hosting more like minded groups in the future.
Similarly, through the Autumn and early Spring,
we have joined other manufacturers on direct drilling demonstration days with
both our GD and Sabre Drills. We find these events hugely beneficial as it’s a
real opportunity to interact with farmers across the country for collaborative
learning and it provides us an opportunity to practice what we preach and
really chew the cud over low disturbance farming methods. One of these events
was kindly hosted by Andrew Ward and we were really pleased with the outcome of
the trials. The results really highlighted the ability, simplicity and value
for money of our Sabre drill, which produced consistent seed placement in
less-than-ideal conditions.
Clarkson's Farm
Many of you will have
enjoyed the return of Clarkson’s Farm to our screens in February and will have
seen the starring roles of both our Sabre Drill and our ShortDisc cultivator.
To see our product on Amazon’s highest viewed original series was a proud moment
to cherish for the Weaving family as well as our employees. Mr Clarkson’s Sabre
Drill was first ordered in 2020 and delivered to farm in early 2021, so it has been
a patient wait with fingers crossed to see whether it would be featured in the
show and quite frankly we were humbled by the airtime it enjoyed. Simon commented
that both Jeremy and Kaleb were easy to deal with and were like any other
customer and we firmly believe that they have done a great job shining a
spotlight on the rigours of farming life (…and
planning bureaucracy!) to the masses.
Since
the show aired, many viewers have asked after the health of our demo ShortDisc,
and we are happy to report that despite a heavy bump, it has had some TLC from
our welders and is now back in full working order.
New Machinery Releases and Updates
The scenes featuring the ShortDisc were filmed in 2021 and since that time, our ShortDisc has seen some revisions to its design. Namely a lighter packer frame and a shorter spacing from front to back which collectively bears a lighter load on the tractor, whilst retaining the machines strength and integrity. A 4-metre model of the latest ShortDisc is currently available to view on demonstration and a little further into the year, this mounted machine will meet its trailed sibling, so stay tuned for the launch of the next addition to the Weaving cultivator range.
The Stubble Rake is another of our cultivators
which has seen its first upgrade since its creation pre-2000. Retaining all the
same principles of our original rake, it now sits on a stronger, tubular frame
with 3-piece fold and self-locking pins. It is equipped with 250mm longer tines
for a more shattering effect and like all our cultivators, there is the option
to fit a Magnum Seeder for fast and economical sowing of grass seeds and cover
crops straight into stubble.
Building on the success of the GD Disc Drill since
its launch in 2015, the mounted model has been given its own upgrade. The grain
only models now feature a plastic tank, the same used on our Sabre Drill for
better weight distribution, longevity and through-flow of material. Like the
Stubble Rake, the mounted GD has also been given a tubular frame which deters
any material from sitting on the machine. Both the mounted and trailed will now
benefit from a new and unique coulter cylinder which replaces the hydraulic
cylinder, this upgrade will allow a more responsive and consistent coulter
pressure for even better speed placement.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund
The
RPA recently released its handbook of eligible items for the 2023 round of FETF
and we were pleased to see the continued eligibility of both our tine and disc
drills as well as the addition of funding towards Stubble Rakes, which will
include our new Energiser. Furthermore, a new category item has been introduced
for the Inter-Row Companion Crop Drill this year. We certainly see this drill
as an important tool for not only establishing grass and cover crops between
maize but also companion crops amongst cereals and farmers can greatly benefit
from the funding on offer to modernise their existing machinery portfolio.
Export Ambitions and the Summer Ahead
Whilst the FETF has certainly incentivised a buoyant
domestic market for manufacturers over the last few years, one of our focuses
has been reigniting export trade since BREXIT. Our fundamental priority is
finding overseas representatives who share the same values as Weaving Machinery
towards low disturbance farming and our product range. Inevitably finding and
developing these working relationships can be slow to evolve, but recently we
have seen sales into new territories and look forward to carrying the brand
further afield in years to come.
Closer to home, we will continue to showcase our
products around the UK and look forward to events ahead such as Glamorgan Royal
Welsh Feature County Event, Cereals and Groundswell.
