On Tuesday 21st April Townends clients Simon Herring and James Sweeting, Co-Founders of Lincoln & York Ltd. and Pipers Crisps, made a majority investment in agricultural cultivation equipment manufacturer, Sumo UK.
Simon Herring will become the firm’s new Managing Director as Sumo’s Founder Shaun Wealleans remains actively involved in the business on the board, taking on the role of Technical Director under which he will be responsible for all equipment design and innovation.
James Sweeting joins Sumo’s board as Non-Executive Director whilst continuing his role as Managing Director of private label coffee company, Lincoln & York.
Founded in 1991, Sumo UK operates from a 100,000 sq ft factory in Melbourne, East Yorkshire. Over the last 23 years, the firm has built a strong reputation within the British farming industry for the design and manufacture of reliable agricultural cultivation machinery. Sumo’s most well-known piece of machinery is the Mounted Trio, with over 2,700 in operation worldwide.
Both from farming families, Simon and James are joining a strong team of over 50 staff, many of whom are also from agricultural backgrounds giving them a good knowledge of Sumo’s equipment and the demand from customers.
Simon Herring, Managing Director of Sumo UK said of the takeover:
“James and I are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in Sumo UK today. Shaun has done a sterling job over the last 23 years forging a strong business and designing a collection of cultivation equipment which many farmers now cannot imagine life without.
“I am confident that with Shaun’s excellence in product innovation, our management input and combined experience in business growth, Sumo has a very bright future ahead. I look forward to spending the coming months getting to know all staff, customers and suppliers and working together to build on Sumo’s success.”
Simon handed over the role of Managing Director at Pipers Crisps in 2014 to James McKinney, formerly Sales Director. He remains actively involved in the business as Chairman.
Townends Partner Adrian Carroll commented, “These businesses, which were both started from scratch, continue to go from strength to strength and are real success stories in their own right.’
For further information about Sumo UK visit www.sumo1.com.
