Boston based contract planting company, UK Planter Solutions, are leading the way in using revolutionary technology to increase planting times as well as saving on labour. Established in 2020, the business has gone from strength to strength. Director Helen Michalak explains,
“The system that we use for mainly salad & vegetable planting, PlantTape, is an automated transplanting system. It is pretty unique, and we are the sole suppliers of it in the UK. It saves on labour and very forward thinking. We can plant up to 1 million plants a day with 2 operators as opposed to traditional systems which normally achieve approximately 60,000 plants per day. Due to increased demands, the business needed a new JCB Fastrac to assist in the operation of the transplanting system."
“We have an old JCB Fastrac which was our first major purchase but within the next year, we needed something better. My partner has worked with every type of tractor but has always liked the JCB Fastrac.”
UK Planter Solutions were introduced to JCB Finance by their local dealer, G and J Peck Ltd, and chose a JCB FlexiLease facility to acquire the new JCB 4220 Fastrac for their business. Using the JCB FlexiLease meant they had a lower capital outlay of advance rentals rather than a sizable deposit and VAT is payable as each rental falls due and not all up front, making it easier on cashflow. Also, on a JCB FlexiLease the rental payments are kept low due to an ‘Investment Value’ at the end of these lease which is stood by JCB Finance and not paid by the customer.
The customer enjoys the lower rentals and still has the opportunity to earn from the profits on disposal. At the end of the lease they can sell the Fastrac to an approved buyer, giving the dealer first option, and any profit achieved above Investment Value is theirs. Some or all of the profits earned can then be used as the lease advance rentals or HP deposit on a replacement. They do have the option to simply return the Fastrac at the end, return conditions apply, but the chance to get cash-back at the end is usually an opportunity taken.
The range of options available at the end of the agreement was an attractive feature for UK Planter Solutions,
“It just seems a better option to traditional finance. We feel it’s better for our needs.”
The planting company worked with their JCB Finance Relationship Manager whose personal approach and knowledge made for an easy and successful working relationship,
“They were very approachable, very professional and it feels like I’ve known them for years. They're brilliant.”
JCB Finance has been supporting UK agriculture for over 50 years and have a genuine understanding of all types of customers, from traditional farms to pioneering businesses like UK Planting Solutions.
“It is important that lenders understand the industry and that they are open to listen to different approaches. Some lenders aren’t open to other ways, new ways of doing things but JCB Finance are.”
If your business has purchasing plans click here to contact your local JCB Finance Relationship Manager.
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