Business heavyweights take majority stake in Sumo UK

TWO prolific businessmen have bought into York-based cultivation technology firm Sumo UK.

Simon Herring and James Sweeting, co-founders of Lincolnshire-based businesses Pipers Crisps and coffee roasters Lincoln & York, have made an undisclosed majority investment in Sumo UK and will be working with Shaun Wealleans to strengthen and grow the company.

Mr Wealleans has been head of the company for 23 years, and will be joined by the two on the board, remaining as technical director.

Sumo UK designs and manufactures farming equipment from their site in Melbourne, East Yorkshire.

Mr Wealleans said: “We are 100% committed to upholding the reputation that we have gained for our machines and service backup.

“We can assure both current and potential customers that this will only be strengthened by the new partnership.”

Mr Herring, a farmer’s son from Walesby in Lincolnshire, will be the new managing director of Sumo UK after spendingt the last 10 years managing the day-to-day running of Pipers.

James Sweeting, also from a farming family, brought up in Howden in East Yorkshire, will be joining Sumo on the board as a non-executive director.

Mr Herring said: “James and I are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in Sumo UK today. Shaun has done a sterling job over the last 23 years forging a strong business and designing a collection of cultivation equipment for farmers across the globe.

“I look forward to spending the coming months getting to know all staff, customers and suppliers and working together to build on Sumo’s success.”

Mr Wealleans is confident about the future of Sumo. He said: “Simon and James have a fantastic portfolio when it comes to business experience, having successfully started and developed two very high profile companies.

“The new team will combine good business practice with Sumo’s innovative products, resulting in a very strong company, fit to take on the future of worldwide farming”.

The new management team will be established at the Sumo factory in Melbourne, near York.