16 LOW GRANGE FARM APR / MAY 2022 • farmers-mart . co . uk
able to deliver exact volumes to site . Following on from this they started to manufacture concrete panels and blocks .
Initially , it was Austen and one driver , Stuart Fletcher , in the quarry . Today the quarry now employs 35 people , it now consists of several manufacturing lines , a big storage yard and concrete plant .
The first panels were made in 2007 . As the panel and block side took off , they stopped the ready-mix side to focus on the prestressed 100 %, demand has steadily increased and continues to do so . Austen has developed the business to keep pace with that demand , Low Grange are now one of the top suppliers in the country .
‘ Low Grange supply direct
to farmers and agricultural builders across the UK ’
Talking to his right-hand man in the yard , Paul Henley , he said to me that Austen is totally committed to the very best in quality and he reinvests in the business every year .
Low Grange supply direct to farmers and agricultural builders across the UK . All manufacturing is done by Low Grange ’ s own team of highly skilled workers , much of the process manually They manufacture blocks , panels and feeding troughs , all to order . As I looked around the vast storage yard , not one piece was stock , all of it part orders awaiting despatch and delivery .
As I talked to Austen I said , I guess it doesn ’ t leave a lot of time for farming . “ Oh no , I ’ m as busy day to day there along with my father as here , the
quarry operates farming is a 24 / 7 going on .
Both the farm and the quarry at Low grange are another superb example of farming diversification and hard work . Low Grange Farm is featuring in this year ’ s Beef Expo Show at Darlington Mart , Scott Ferrie the chief auctioneer at Darlington has persuaded Austen to host one of the farm walkabouts , which initially David was not impressed with as he told me , “ I ’ m not into publicity , there ’ s only 3 times you should appear in ’ t paper “. However , I got the feeling that David has warmed to it a tad now . For sure , both he and Austen have something to be immensely proud of all round and we wish them continued success .