Business
Welsh trailer firm hooks up with Celtic cousin
A WELSH trailer maker has hooked up with a Celtic cousin to form a new partnership.
Cornwall Farm Machinery has been appointed as a distributor for Ifor Williams Trailers (IWT) which has a global reach through its market-leading products.
Rob Hattam, the general manager of Cornwall Farm Machinery, said the tie-up makes great business sense because of the shared interests and overlapping customer base of the two companies.
Formed in 2010 and about to mark its 15th anniversary next year, Cornwall Farm Machinery has become a ‘go-to’ dealership for the agricultural community right across the county.
It has built a solid reputation for supplying tractors, walk-behind mowers, balers, fertiliser-spreaders, rakes, quadbikes and other top brand farm accessories.
Rob said: “We offer the best machines in the business. Farmers’ livelihoods depend on the reliability of the machines we supply so it’s important that we provide them with the names they know they can trust.
“The addition of Ifor Williams Trailers range to our repertoire can only reinforce that confidence. We’re very excited to be working together with the IWT team.”
The Ifor Williams Trailers products will be sold from Cornwall Farm Machinery’s main depot in Truro, conveniently located off a main road at Carland.
It will be the official supplier for the large central and southern areas of Cornwall.
The company also operates a parts outlet for agricultural machines based in Longrock, Penzance, and it has a Country Store at the Truro depot supplying equine, pet, clothing and footwear, tools and hardware, garden and Stihl products.
Like IWT it is an independent family-owned firm, employing a 19-strong workforce offering the complete package from initial inquiry to sales and after-sales support services.
It is a key business for the county in which recent figures revealed 33,000 people are employed in the agri-food sector, double the average rate for other counties in England.
Rob, who has been with Cornwall Farm Machinery for eight years, is delighted that they have joined Ifor Williams Trailers’ 50-strong network of distributors across the UK.
IWT has global reach with its market-leading products – made in its six factories in Denbighshire and Flintshire, in North Wales. They are sold in outlets across Europe and as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.
First established in 1958, it is Britain’s largest manufacturer of trailers up to 3500kg gross weight, delivering trailers for a wide variety of purposes.
It invests heavily in research and development to produce the most sought after trailers designed to meet the needs of real people doing real jobs.
The best-selling IWT range includes livestock, horsebox, general duty, tipper, plant, flatbed and box van trailers, as well as car transporters and pick-up canopies. Its customer base is also wide, encompassing farmers, show jumpers, tree surgeons, builders and plumbers.
Its products are used by market traders, community organisations and on occasions charitable causes and even hot air balloonists.
Its network of UK distributors is bolstered by a growing number of overseas distribution agents with exports now accounting for about a quarter of IWT sales.
Rob Hattam said the IWT brand is synonymous with quality and professionalism: “They are without doubt a market leader at home and abroad. You will see their trailers wherever you go in the world.
“Professionalism and product reliability are so important to us here at Cornwall Farm Machinery and that’s why it is mutually beneficial for us to work closely together.
“We’re delighted to hear that Ifor Williams Trailers have invested £10 million in creating a new Genuine Parts Hub which will have a huge impact in terms of the rapid delivery of genuine spare parts.
“The IWT range also fits seamlessly with other products we distribute like the internationally renowned Case IH tractors brand, also known for their robust quality.
“Becoming an official Ifor Williams Trailers distributor dovetails nicely with everything else we are about, our existing customer base is a perfect match for the IWT range and it is a big draw for new customers.
“We are really excited about this new partnership because there is so much potential to build on. Ultimately our aim is to provide the agricultural community in Cornwall with the machines which exactly meet all their needs.
“We will be supplying most customers from stock for the wide product range of trailers, so waiting times for all model variants will be minimal and we will have quick access to the Genuine Parts at competitive prices.
“The exceptionally high quality of their range is reflected in the unsurpassed high trade in values secured when customers part exchange their old Ifor Williams trailer for a new Ifor Williams trailer.
“The reliability of their trailers coupled with their attention to detail in design and manufacturing, has ensured that generations of families have chosen Ifor Williams Trailers as their preferred trailer brand, time and time again.”
Ifor Williams Trailers sales manager Lois Wynne is delighted that they have signed up Cornwall Farm Machinery as their newest distributor.
She said: “We’re delighted to be working with the progressive and positive sales team led by Rob Hattam at Cornwall Trailer Centre, the new subsidiary of Cornwall Farm Machinery.
“This is a flagship company in Cornwall, deservedly very successful and with an admirably professional approach to all that they do.
“From our perspective they’re well-known for the high standard of their customer service which gives us the confirmation and confidence that they will look after our customers exceptionally well.
“We already have a distributor in the north of Cornwall and now it is time to invigorate our presence in the mid to south areas. Cornwall Farm Machinery is ideal for helping us achieve that task, well located in Truro, with easy highly visible access.
“This is an exciting opportunity for both parties to grow sales and expand on our already enviable reputations for first class products and first class service.”
CARDIGAN Curiosities has won the St David’s Day shop window award for the Cardigan division, an accolade presented by Menter Iaith Ceredigion.
High Street businesses and Guildhall shops embraced the festivities, decorating their windows in a vibrant display to celebrate the national day of Wales and the arrival of spring. The event, which highlighted the Welsh language, saw enthusiastic participation from across Ceredigion.
To mark the occasion and show appreciation for the community, Cardigan Curiosities is offering the chance to win an exclusive piece of local artwork. The prize is a one-of-a-kind watercolour painting of the nave of St David’s Cathedral, created by a Pembrokeshire artist. The framed artwork measures 74×95 cm.
To enter the competition, participants must:
- Visit the Cardigan Curiosities Facebook or Instagram page
- Like the competition post
- Comment with their favourite Welsh word
The winner will be drawn on March 20 by “Ddraig Goch” from inside a dragon egg, with the announcement made that evening on social media.
For those interested in viewing the artwork or the decorated shop window, Cardigan Curiosities is located at 32A Cardigan High Street and is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
CREATIVE WEST WALES and Pembrokeshire’s Business Team will join forces at a drop in session this month to celebrate and support the region’s amazing creative industries.
Established companies, freelancers or those considering a new start-up, are invited to visit the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock on Friday, 28th March, 9am to 12pm to find out what business support is available from a range of organisations including Pembrokeshire County Council, Business Wales, FSB and Visit Pembrokeshire.
A networking session will offer a chance to meet fellow creatives, explore potential collaborations, and meet representatives from Yr Egin, Creative Wales and the Creative West Wales Network to find out more about assistance available for talented people in the West Wales area, especially those in the music, screen, gaming, publishing and animation sectors.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Creative Industries Officer Anwen Baldwin said: “There is a wealth of creative talent in this area which should be celebrated and supported.
“We host a popular Business Drop In event on the last Friday of each month. It’s great to be able to focus on the creative industries this month and offer an opportunity to find out more about what support is available, discuss challenges and network with other local people from these sectors.”
If you would like to showcase your work during this event please email anwen.baldwin@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Refreshments available, register via Eventbrite Digwyddiad Galw Heibio i Fusnesau / Drop In Business Support & Networking Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
CELTIC FREEPORT AT MILFORD HAVEN AND PORT TALBOT TO DRIVE UK ECONOMIC GROWTH MISSION
THE CELTIC FREEPORT has been officially launched, bringing significant inward investment to South West Wales and taking a major step towards creating thousands of new jobs, the Welsh Government announced this week.
It also re-affirmed its commitment to £26 million of UK Government investment.
The freeport, covering the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot, is set to play a crucial role in the UK’s clean energy future. It spans multiple industries, including clean energy developments, fuel terminals, power generation, heavy engineering, and the steel sector.
Businesses operating within the freeport area will benefit from substantial UK and Welsh Government tax breaks and customs exemptions to encourage investment. The initiative is expected to attract £8.4 billion in private and public investment, generate 11,500 new jobs, and contribute £8.1 billion in economic value (GVA) to the region.
The freeport was launched at an event in Cardiff, attended by Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens and Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.
“Significant step towards a renewable energy superpower”
Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “This Government has a Plan for Change focused on delivering economic growth and ensuring the UK becomes a renewable energy superpower. This announcement is a significant step towards achieving those ambitions.
“The Celtic Freeport will create up to 11,500 well-paid, highly skilled jobs and could leverage up to £8.4 billion in investment.
“The UK Government has committed £26 million to the freeport, alongside significant incentives from both the UK and Welsh Governments. I am very pleased to see two governments working in partnership to deliver for the people of Wales.”*
“A vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy”
Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “The official opening of the Celtic Freeport sends another clear signal to the world that the industrial heartlands of South Wales are a vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy.
“We are already seeing real enthusiasm across the region and beyond to capitalise on the skills and job opportunities that this new industrial age will provide. The Welsh Government will be at Celtic’s side, offering major tax reliefs to attract business investment.
“The Freeport will also be able to use future non-domestic rates revenues to fund vital infrastructure and skills projects, benefiting Port Talbot and Milford Haven for generations to come.”
Freeport projects already making progress
Following the successful launch, Luciana Ciubotariu, CEO of Celtic Freeport, highlighted the rapid progress of key projects: “The Celtic Freeport is making significant strides forward with milestones such as planning consents for LanzaTech’s sustainable aviation fuel production plants, RWE’s Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant, and the launch of the Milford Haven CO₂ Project.
“Other major developments include H2 Energy and Trafigura’s West Wales Hydrogen project securing a hydrogen CfD, Haush establishing a green energy HQ, and the approval of wind turbine developments to expand Dragon Energy’s Renewables Park.
“These initiatives, alongside investments in battery energy storage by RWE and port infrastructure at Port Talbot, are accelerating South Wales’ reindustrialisation and driving a decarbonised economy rich in evolving and new industries.”
A cleaner, greener future
The Celtic Freeport aims to establish a green investment and innovation corridor, driving inward investment, skills development, and national decarbonisation. Key focus areas include:
- Floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea
- Hydrogen economy and sustainable fuels
- Carbon capture and storage
- Cleaner steel production
- Low-carbon logistics
As one of 12 Freeports across the UK, the Celtic Freeport will play a pivotal role in the UK Government’s Growth Mission, supporting the transition to green industries and creating thousands of high-quality jobs for local communities.
(Cover image: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens – Speaking at the Celtic Freeport event in Cardiff)
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