Well-known machinery dealer Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd has expanded into Lincolnshire and helped secure the future of up to 68 jobs, by acquiring the Sutterton and North Kyme depots of The Burdens Group. The latter entered administration last month blaming the pressures facing the farming sector following poor weather during 2023 and 2024, resulting in poor crop yields, and changed to EU subsidies.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Sutterton and North Kyme branches into the Ernest Doe family,” said Managing Director Angus Doe. “Our focus is on maintaining the strong customer relationships cultivated by The Burdens Group, while introducing the high standards of quality and service that have defined Ernest Doe & Sons for over 125 years. We look forward to serving the local community and supporting our new customers with the expertise and dedication that our longstanding customers have come to rely on.”
Ernest Doe promised that customers of the Sutterton and North Kyme branches will have the same points of contact, allowing a smooth transition, and added it would be working hard to invest in and improve the business.
The sale was facilitated by joint administrators Gareth Rusling and Robert Dymond of Sheffield-based Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP. Other assets have been sold to Russell’s (Kirbymoorside) Limited in Malton or will be auctioned off.
“Having traded successfully for more than 40 years, the Burdens Group was a victim of problems hitting the farming sector with bad weather and changes to EU subsidies resulting in its key customer base reducing their spend,” commented Gareth Rusling. “We worked hard to quickly conclude a sale to two experienced agricultural businesses, and it’s fantastic that the sales have saved the jobs of 68 people.”
