THE SPECIALIST seed cleaning company Anglia Grain Services has merged with TGS Seeds it has been announced.

The new business will carry on in the name of Anglia Grain Services and will retain all existing depots for the time being, said the company’s Nigel Day.

“The agricultural supply industry is going through a difficult phase – fuel costs have increased by 40% in the last year and labour, machinery and other overheads have also increased. These increases bear no connection to wheat prices.

“We can’t charge any more for our service, therefore need to spread fixed costs over a bigger tonnage.”

The merged company will have a combined fleet of 24 lorries, with a capacity to process 25,000 tonnes of cereals and 300t of oilseed rape annually, he said.

“All existing depots and staff will be kept, as we are planning to continue to expand the business in future,” Mr Day added.

Anglia Grain Services will have plants covering most of eastern England, including those in Nayland, Suffolk; Nassington, near Peterborough; Sicklesmere, Suffolk and satellite depots in Kent and Sussex, he said.

The company has written to customers over the past few days to inform them of the merger, he said.