The 2022 sugar beet campaign will mark 30 years of Vervaet machinery in the UK. At the same time, UK importer J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd is reporting a market-leading level of sales.
From the Vervaet factory at Biervliet, Netherlands, harvester production is underway and the company has also produced more than 60 self-propelled slurry applicators this year. The company is also stating that parts remain in stock, despite shortages across the industry.
“We are very pleased with another market-leading year of sales to date,” said Matt Carse, sales manager at J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd. “We have sold considerably more harvesters than all of our competitors, and we also have a number of new slurry applicators now working in the UK. In these uncertain times, we are glad to be able to provide maximum parts availability from our own extensive stores which are backed up by those of the manufacturer just across the water.
“As a company, we are confident that we are offering our customers the best package available, with industry-leading service and backup, and this fills me with confidence to push the Vervaet brand even further in the UK.”
Mr Carse continued: “I’m extremely excited to see the new developments that Vervaet has made within the last two years. We have seen the launch of the Quad 550 self-propelled slurry applicator and the introduction of the rollerbed option for sugar beet harvesters, and I see an exciting future for both sides of the product portfolio. The market for self-propelled slurry applicators in this country is growing, and although the size of the beet crop is fairly stable our harvester customer base is actively increasing thanks to continued sales success.
“Knowing what Rileys as a company can offer, paired with these new developments from the factory, I anticipate this leading to an even greater market share than we have currently. With Vervaet and Rileys both being family-run companies we also retain the ethos of building long-term personal relationships between the customer, importer and manufacturer.”
“Vervaet and Rileys have a very strong relationship developed over 30 years and a market-leading position in beet harvesting technology,” said Jonathan Hoekman, sales manager at Frans Vervaet BV. “We’ve sold a record number of slurry machines in the UK this year, and the future is very promising. Vervaet is the market leader across Europe with our self-propelled slurry applicators, but we have been a little behind in the UK mainly due to not always having the right machine to meet British demands. But the Quad was designed with the UK market in mind, and it is proving to be the right machine.
“Rileys have a very professional team which is fully focused on service and customer care, and with the combined power of our two companies, I envisage that we will become UK market leaders in slurry application technology too.
“There are three things that customers typically consider when investing in our machines: product, price and service,” Jonathan continues. “We now have an excellent range tailored to the UK market and our prices conform to the market but thanks to our factory-rebuild programme we can also offer a higher trade-in value for used machines. Combined with Rileys’ backup I am sure we offer an unbeatable combination. Our customers also appreciate the fact that consistency is preferred over maximum expansion and growth in our companies, and we have many long-term team members which bring continuity.”