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Forestry Equipment Case Study 1

Wood Processing Equipment for Nigel Earley Services

This project added value to agricultural and forestry products and supported the creation and development of micro-businesses.

Background
Nigel Earley Services was a very successful tree surgery and forestry business. Selling logs and wood mulch was a by-product of this business, although many customers were starting to keep the wood for themselves for their own use. The way NES were cutting and splitting logs was very labour and fuel intensive and made it unviable to do much more this way. They therefore wanted to buy processing equipment so that they could afford to buy in timber and start doing forestry work which would have been uneconomical.

About the project
RDPE LEADER funding has provided the company with a firewood processor and a LASCO splitter to aid the production of logs.

The Lasco log splitter, is mounted onto a and used to break down large lumps of timber so that they can either be put through the processor to be made into logs or put through a chipper to be used as chip for heating. The processor takes smaller timber and makes it into logs.

When they have processed the timber into logs they deliver them to customers in either a full load, which is approx half a ton or a half load.

Funding that Woodland Contractors can receive
Woodland Contractors are able to apply for between 40% and 50% for projects that add value to forestry products. Nigel contacted Carol Flux at Natural Enterprise who was able to offer advice on preparing a business plan and completing the LEADER application form, as well as getting support for the project from the Forestry Commission.

Where are they today?
Nigel is now considering upgrading his service further, to take advantage of the large increase in the number of wood burning stoves in domestic properties on the Island.

For more information on how LEADER funding can help you or your business please contact Carol Flux on 01983 535836 or email Carol Flux