J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd, well-known as the UK importer of Vervaet machinery, has vastly expanded its slurry machinery portfolio with the addition of Bomech, Vogelsang, Kumm-Technik, TBL and Evers products. To handle sales of the new lines Rileys welcomes Sion Williams as sales director for slurry equipment. Additional service will be provided from a new sub-depot which is being opened near Shrewsbury. 

“With this new line-up we are offering the best products on the market from premium-quality manufacturers backed-up by Rileys’ first class after-sales support,” explains managing director Matt Carse. “We have historically sold our self-propelled machines complete with an applicator, so this development is the logical progression to expand and secure this part of the business. We wanted to supply our customers with the best equipment on the market to transport, handle and apply slurry and digestate.” 

The new range compliments the highly-successful Vervaet self-propelled slurry applicator lineup which has been achieving ever increasing sales success in the UK. 

Dutch manufacturer Bomech has over 25 years of experience making trailing shoe slurry applicators and offers an extremely comprehensive range in widths from 7.5m to 30m suitable for mounting on trailed slurry tankers, self-propelled machines and directly onto the tractor linkage. Those requiring a high-quality disc injector can chose from the TBL lineup, also from the Netherlands, which includes models in widths from 9m to 15m. 

Rileys will also become a primary UK dealer for Vogelsang, handling sales of booms in widths of 12m and above. 

Evers Agro makes a range of cultivation machinery including the Vari-Disc short disc harrow which is well-known in Britain. The company produces a variety of slurry application tools including cultivator, disc harrow and strip-till injectors which will be marketed by Rileys. 

Trailed twin- and tri-axle tankers from Kumm-Technik will be available in sizes from 16,500-litres through to 31,000-litres as well as a range of high-capacity road-going transport tankers. 

Newly appointed sales director Sion Williams has considerable knowledge and experience of slurry handling and application machinery, having previously handled UK sales for Vogelsang, and is already very well-known in this sector. 

“I’ve been involved in the slurry machinery industry for over 25 years,” says Sion. “Having dealt with Rileys quite extensively, joining the company has seemed like a natural progression, and with the wider product portfolio I think there’s considerable opportunity for growth. I’m looking forward to expanding and developing the successful slurry side of the business.” 

Additionally, Rileys are delighted to welcome Richard Sockett, also formerly of Vogelsang UK, who adds a vast array of specialist technical knowledge to the slurry machinery side of the business. Richard will be using his extensive industry experience and know-how to offer high-quality service and back-up to new and existing customers, primarily from the new Shrewsbury depot. 

“Large or small, we can offer everything from a standard trailed tanker with a 7.5m trailing shoe applicator to a self-propelled machine with a top of the range 36m dribble bar,” adds Sion. “There is also the option of used and factory refurbished machines. This extensive lineup allows us to cater for everyone from the family-run dairy farm looking to improve their slurry management through to the largest contractor servicing multiple AD plants.” 

“Good people are extremely important to our business, and Sion and Richard bring a wealth of experience and product knowledge with them,” points out Matt. “Their addition bolsters our existing highly capable team, and makes us the go-to company for all slurry machinery. Nevertheless, we remain well-known for sugar beet harvesters and these will always be incredibly important to Rileys, in fact they are part of the company DNA. But these additions of experienced staff will ensure that we can continue to offer excellent service to our customers for both product lines, securing the company’s longevity, whilst also taking advantage of this great opportunity to strengthen and grow the slurry side of the business.” 

Jonathan Hoekman, commercial director at manufacturer Frans Vervaet B.V., echoes Matt’s sentiments: “We’ve had an excellent year for beet harvester sales in the UK and seen rapid growth of the Quad and Trike market,” he notes. “To support this expansion, whilst maintaining the level of service we offer, Matt has seized the exciting opportunity to welcome experienced staff in Sion and Richard. This is an extremely strategic move for Vervaet and Rileys in the UK market, allowing us to increase sales of slurry machinery whilst also letting Matt focus 100% of his time on the beet harvester market.”