Rob Burtonshaw
Farm Services Ltd
Farm Services is a drainage contracting business, with 78 years of land drains under its belt.
One of three working directors Rob Burtonshaw is the third generation to own and manage the business.
The company specialises in drainage for agricultural, amenity and sports grounds, with heavy investment in recent year in the most modern machinery to complete tasks as efficiently as possible.
With extensive knowledge of the draining business, Rob has completed a Nuffield scholarship, looking into systems employed across North America, with ideas bought back to the UK, including a junction design from Dakota, previously not seen this side of the Atlantic.
Increasing capacity while lowering the cost for customers has led the company to purchase a 428hp Mastenbroek 40/20 drainage plough, the first of its type in the UK and one of the most technologically advanced in Europe. With GPS grade control, accurate depth and location is achieved, as well as the ability to map the position and depth of laid drains.
Investment
Following a recruitment drive, the company has introduced a number of younger employees, while senior foremen are delegated more responsibility, something which helps to drive the business forward, says Rob.
Looking to the future, Rob says finance package for drainage work is on the cards, recognising the capital investment in drainage is significant and not as high on the agenda of a lot of farms, compared to machinery and other infrastructure.
By investing in the latest technology, training employees and carrying out research around the globe, the company has become more competitive, significantly increased its output and is able to take on larger contracts