Working with local businesses.

We are delighted to source from as many local suppliers as we can and for this harvest, we have taken delivery of 10 new Prins Tigers semi rough terrain forklifts at Flanders Farm Hoo, which are supplied by fellow Kent business Prins Forklifts UK Ltd based in Hythe http://www.prinsforklifts.co.uk.

The new machines can drive over different terrain thanks to features such as their higher ground clearance and wider tyres and can be used to go from orchard to yard safely, whereas a traditional forklift would get stuck.

Steve Everard, Partner at AC Goatham & Son comments: “We have been working with Prins forklifts for a couple of years and have been very impressed with the Prins Tigers. The real benefit to us is that they can be used both in the orchards and then with a small modification we can use them in the packhouse as well. One Prins Tiger is doing the job of two other vehicles thanks to its multi-uses. We are also delighted to support another business in Kent, as we try and source as many of our suppliers from the county where we can.”

Clive Richardson, Operations Manager at Prins Forklifts UK Ltd comments: “It is a pleasure working with a dynamic company such as AC Goatham & Son. We have fine-tuned the Prins Tiger to specifically meet their requirements both for the harvest period and for general use the rest of the year, making it much more cost efficient. We have also helped them with specialist internal machines for their new pack house and store.”

One Prins machine can replace two or three traditional forklifts therefore helping to reduce the ongoing running and maintenance costs.

Steve Everard continues: “Across our 16 farms we have many different vehicles, but where we can reduce the quantity of machinery used, it will not only reduce costs for the business, but it is more beneficial for the environment.”