Company history

Acres began in 1947 when three partners decided to form a company. Frank Fryer, a graduate in business management, Fred Clayton who had a flair for engineering innovation & development and Roger Collins, a long experienced engineer with an agricultural background.

This trio laid down a set of values as the foundation of Acres. They are:

• Innovation
• Engineering excellence
• Partnerships with customers to deliver what they want, when they want it.

The first product to be developed was a rotary cultivator.
It became a gold medal winner at the Worcester three counties show in 1949 and was sold throughout the UK and in key markets world-wide. This success encouraged the team to develop additional products in the horticulture industry. The acres soil processor, shredder and soil steriliser became best sellers and the occasional order was placed up to 2001.

During the 1960’s the company developed a range of handling equipment primarily aimed at the brewing industry, which broadened into all industries. True to its original values Acres pushed on into developing more products. This time it was a treadle lathe, developed along with orthopaedic surgeons to assist occupational therapists working with patents with lower limb injuries. Over 700 of these machines were built up to 2002.

During the 70’s Mr Derek Vallis, who had a 10 year relationship with the company as a supplier joined the company as sales director. This added a new commercial dimension that translated into increasing the company’s bottom line. Mr Vallis eventually bought the other partners out and ran the business until 2002. During that time there was investment in workshop equipment and growth by acquisition into sub contract parts and sub assemblies. Another product was developed, this time it was a plate compacter with a turf compacting derivative, which sold up to the 1990’s. Acres products were developed up to Mk 3, 4 & 5 in some cases. Around 1990 an opportunity for parts & services came from the then ‘new’ Toyota plant at Burnaston which continues as a key account today. The Aerospace Industry was equally served and Rolls Royce has grown over 30 years and is also a key account.

The new millennium bought in a whole raft of challenges for Acres. It also bought in two new partners. Dave Orme and Tony Parker took over. Acres traditional products had virtually no markets left and manufacturing, which was Acres main market, was in decline and becoming more automated to keep up with foreign imports.

The main challenges for the new partners were Health & safety, employment law, quality systems, Information Technology, automation and a diminishing manufacturing base in the UK. A 5-year plan to invest in the necessary people and equipment was implemented for sustained growth. Flexibility was the key word. The need for fast prototyping and batching, lean engineering support, the flexibility to include electrics, hydraulics, pneumatics, traction and automation into equipment caused Acres to develop a one-stop service for its partners.

A total solution approach was adopted to provide CAD, design, manufacture, paint finish, load testing and, where necessary, CE marking. Acres are fully e – commerce enabled and has a sophisticated IT infrastructure to deliver its services. Flexibility is a necessity and there are times when we cooperate with a competitor to provide a solution to one of our partners. This was unheard even at the turn of the new century.

Lean engineering is a key issue now and will be a future standard. It was originated by Toyota in the form of the 4S’s system and is also used by Rolls Royce. The flexibility to support lean engineers is one of the key developments at Acres, which has caused a positive effect with all Acres business partnerships. All Acres staff has attended courses in the 4 S’s principles. Lean is also in harmony with Acres original values. We remain Innovative, aim for engineering excellence and develop partnerships with customers to deliver what they want, when they want it.