RW Crawford has relocated to a purpose-built, state-of-the-art depot at Writtle, on the outskirts of Chelmsford, as the family-run agricultural machinery business looks to strengthen its commitment to customers and staff.
“We’re a very service-oriented business and have built a reputation for delivering excellent customer service and support,” managing director Wes Crawford said. “And while we have the staff, the skills and the knowledge, our former base at South Woodham Ferrers lacked space and facilities to move our business forward.
“We had simply outgrown South Woodham, and the location didn’t offer any opportunity to grow, so we’ve been looking for 15 years for a chance to redevelop our Essex operation, and ultimately to own our site and premises.”
Built on a three-acre greenfield site at a cost of about £3 million, the Agco dealer’s new depot cements its long-term commitment to customers and staff. Taking four years from design to completion, the new building boasts a footprint of 1,765 square metres, of which more than 800 square metres is allocated to a six-bay workshop.
With space for 12 tractors and being tall enough to house combines, the workshop also offers room to support neighbouring Writtle University’s engineering department.
“We’ve a long-standing relationship with Writtle University, and our new premises also provides an opportunity to further the education and development of young engineers,” Mr Crawford added.
A recent open day at the new depot, at Fox Burrows Lane, Writtle, saw almost 1,000 visitors pass through the gates of the new Crawford operation, giving an opportunity to see the larger showroom with extensive product lines, plus a larger stores and spare parts operation that is contained over two floors. With 32 staff at Crawford’s Writtle depot, and 15 mobile technicians, the Essex business is now well-placed to build on what Bob Crawford started almost 40 years ago.
“I like a challenge, I thoroughly enjoy the diversity that agriculture offers, and I enjoy looking after our customers,” Wes Crawford added. “It’s all down to fantastic team work and a trusted partnership between the business and its customers.”
For more information visit: www.rwcrawford.co.uk.
