Sale of farm machinery business saves 68 jobs

Sixty-eight jobs in Lincolnshire have been saved following the pre-pack sale of the Burdens Group.

Headquartered in Boston, the company supplied a wide range of farm and groundcare machinery from leading manufacturers including New Holland, Horizon, Amazone and JPM Trailers.

The Burdens Group offered both new and used agricultural machinery for sale from its depots in Sutterton, North Kyme, Louth and Brigg. It also had a division providing agricultural machinery for hire.

The company began to experience financial difficulties due to the pressures facing the farming sector following poor weather during 2023 and 2024, resulting in poor crop yields exacerbated by changes to the farm support system.

Although many farmers and contractors have continued to invest in farm machinery, others have been changing machines less frequently. This reduction in expenditure has had a knock-on effect on some dealers and distributors.

Significant impact

Farmers reducing their investment in new machinery had a significant impact on the Burden Group’s turnover. Joint administrators Gareth Rusling and Robert Dymond of Begbies Traynor were subsequently appointed on 19 August.

A sale of the business and assets was immediately completed to Russell’s (Kirbymoorside) Limited in Malton, Yorkshire; and Stevenage-based Ernest Doe & Sons Limited, representing the northern and southern sales respectively.

“Having traded successfully for more than 40 years, the Burdens Group was a victim of problems hitting the farming sector with bad weather and changes to farm support – resulting in its key customer base reducing their spend,” said Gareth Rusling.

The sales secured 68 jobs – reducing total creditor claims. “We worked hard to quickly conclude a sale to two experienced agricultural businesses, and it’s fantastic that the sales have saved the jobs of 68 people.”