VIDEO: Lemken to launch cultivator and sprayer at Cereals

Although ploughs account for more than 28% of its sales, German manufacturer Lemken is keen to shake off its plough-only reputation.

Last year, 28% of its business was from drills and power harrows, 33% from cultivators and discs and 7% from sprayers.

Although only 1% of UK sales came from sprayers last year, the company has seen a rise in orders in 2010, according to Lemken UK general manager Mark Ormond, following the launch of its first own-design sprayer last year, the Sirius.

The UK and Ireland are key markets for the company, which has been offering cultivation kit to British farmers for 50 years. It sells 500-600 machines here each year and last year saw Lemken UK gain a 13% increase in turnover, partly due to dealer recruitment and increased investment.

Since 2005, its strategy has been to develop export markets, according to Mr Ormond. “Until 2007, the UK market had stagnated at k4-5m for several years. After investment, this rose by 100% and in 2008 it was over k9m.”