Specialising in the design, construction and installation of crop storage controllers and equipment for the agricultural industry, Crop Systems Ltd will use the funding to research and develop a new crop store controller at its base in Gimingham.
The new controller will be web-based and have greater connectivity which will allow it to react and alert users to faults and environmental factors, such as colder weather which could affect energy costs. There are also plans to integrate the new equipment with solar panels, to optimise the farm use of the energy generated.
Mark Reeve, Chairman of the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP, said:
“Crop Systems came to us with an innovative project proposal that will help the business to improve its efficiency by developing new, web-based technology that can be controlled remotely.
“I am pleased that the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is able to help Crop Systems fund this research to develop a new crop store controller, and hope to see the business grow and expand its production as a result.”
Ray Andrews, Managing Director of Crop Systems, said: “We were delighted to be awarded the grant from the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative. Their funding means we can go ahead with plans to build a state-of-the-art, smart potato and vegetable store controller which will help to boost productivity and reduce energy costs.
“It can be controlled from a mobile phone or a farm office computer and it will remotely react on its own to changes in the environment – even forecast changes. It will also act as a safeguard for a lone worker going into the store. It is a very clever piece of equipment.”
Chris Starkie, Managing Director of New Anglia LEP, commented: “Food, drink and agriculture businesses form the largest sector in Norfolk and Suffolk, employing over a hundred thousand people and worth more than £2.2 billion to UK plc. Crop Systems are at the forefront of the sector and it is great to support them and other businesses that are investing in research projects to increase their efficiency and productivity.”
Colleen Walker, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Economic Development Sub-Committee, added: “Crop Systems is a fantastic example of the type of pioneering business in Norfolk that this fund should help support and we look forward to seeing them furthering their position as leaders in crop storage technology.”
The Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative is run by the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP) with support from New Anglia LEP, Norfolk County Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, and the local authorities covering this area.
Grants are available to organisations looking to invest in specialist equipment, new market and supply chain development, ways to improve productivity and efficiency, and the application and commercialisation of Research and Development.
To find out how the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative could help to grow your business, visit www.agritechgrants.co.uk or call the LEP on 01480 277180.
_____________________________________