Claydon Drills, a UK company which designs and manufactures the world-renowned Opti-Till® direct strip till seeding system, has appointed Jacob Darby as territory manager for south east England and Scandinavia.
Brought up in Norfolk, Jacob studied at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester from 2005 – 2008. After working as a trainee for potato producer NNPG he went on to work for Norfolk-based Soil Fertility Services Ltd, then spent a year in Austria launching and running an olive oil manufacturing and retail business. Jacob joined Claydon in 2011 as Assistant UK sales manager and was subsequently promoted to export manager.
Jacob Darby
During the last three years, sales of Claydon products have increased significantly as farmers all over the world become more aware of the benefits of the innovative Opti-Till® System, combined with an expansion of the company’s global dealer network. As part of its strategic development plan Jacob will be developing new distribution channels and sales in areas where Claydon products have traditionally had a strong following.
In the UK, where he reports to Rob Dunk, sales manager for the UK and Republic of Ireland, Jacob will be supporting existing customers and dealers in Kent, East Sussex, and West Sussex, where numerous long-standing Claydon users have operated the Opti-Till® System successfully for many years.
In addition to its strong presence in the UK, Claydon has become a global success story since selling its first V-Drill in 2002.Approximately 60% of production from the company’s design, manufacturing, distribution, and service centre in Suffolk, located within the UK’s largest cereal producing region, is now exported to 33 countries, from Europe to New Zealand. Currently the company is experiencing strong demand for its products, these being marketed and sold by the commercial team which includes export manager, Simon Revell, and is headed by commercial director Spencer Claydon, who states: “We are delighted to welcome Jacob back to Claydon and his appointment is a pivotal part of our growth strategy at a time when interest in Claydon products has never been greater and sales are increasing. His experience of our machinery, together with the requirements of UK and Scandinavian farmers will help us to increase our presence in these important regions at a time when the sector faces legislative, economic and weather-related challenges.”
