The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor David Hale and the Deputy Mayor of Ipswich Councillor, Inga Lockington, together with their respective consorts visited RANSOMES JACOBSEN’S head office and manufacturing facility at Ransomes Europark in Ipswich recently. RANSOMES JACOBSEN is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

The Deputy Mayor met one of Ransomes Jacobsen’s employees, Doug Shemmings who retired a few days after the visit, at a function in the town and expressed an interest in visiting the company. It only took a couple of phone calls and the visit was arranged.

The mayoral party were met by Managing Director David Withers and his management team and over a buffet lunch were given an overview of the company’s history and the position it occupies today as one of the leading turf maintenance equipment manufacturers in the World.

After lunch the party toured the manufacturing plant, where they saw the production processes involved in the manufacture of today’s modern grounds care equipment and spoke to several of the staff. The visit was completed with the party teeing off on the first hole of the company’s new three-hole golf course, with the Mayor agreeing to return in October to perform the official opening ceremony.

Commenting at the conclusion of the visit Councillor Hale said, “This was a superb insight into the oldest company in Ipswich, but one that is a 21st century organisation and a leader in its field. We are fortunate indeed to still have a manufacturing base here in Suffolk, and Ipswich in particular. They combine advanced manufacturing techniques with a skilled workforce to virtually hand build each machine. Their adherence to environmental principles is particularly commendable. I would like to thank Mr Withers and his team for their time and hospitality; it was a most entertaining and enjoyable visit. I look forward to returning in October.”

Image: David Withers (left) with the mayoral party before teeing off on the first hole of the new golf course

www.ransomesjacobsen.com