Highlights of the sale include 8no 200hp – 360hp Fendt and 8no 140 – 200hp John Deere tractors and the 2011 Asa-Lift SP460B swede harvester. As well as the well-maintained and high-specification John Deere and Fendt tractors, the sale will include a full range of root growing and harvesting machinery as well as packhouse equipment consisting of wash lines, grading and packing machinery and forklifts. This is also alongside a wide range of implements and trailers, 50 static caravans, over 5000 one-tonne wooden swede boxes and a series of vehicles including mini-buses, coaches and HGV’s.
Bill King, Chairman, Cheffins comments: “This family business has firm roots in Somerset and is one of the largest swede, peas and broad bean growers in the UK, supplying all major supermarkets as well as running a major arable operation. The family have made the decision to cease the swede growing operation and will now concentrate on other farm diversification projects and the arable side of the business. This is a major sale of a variety of equipment which is bound to generate huge amounts of interest from other farming operation, dealers and exporters.”
The Coles family have been involved in the marketing of vegetables from Somerset for over three generations, with Ken Coles starting his own enterprise in 1964, growing and selling vegetables at Covent Garden market. Alongside his wife Christine, Ken Coles expanded the business rapidly over the years. With the head of operations now Paul Coles, Ken’s son, the business is one of the UK’s market leaders in growing, harvesting, packing and supplying swedes, peas and broad beans to all major supermarkets. The company has supplied major multiple retailers since 1970, whilst also supplying processors, independent retailers and wholesalers throughout European and Scandinavian markets.
The sale will take place on Tuesday 29th September at Chelston House Farm, Chelston, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9HP. For more information contact the Machinery team on 01353 777767 e: machinery@cheffins.co.uk