Ignition Assists Somerset Poultry Farm with Biomass Boiler Refurbishment

Ignition, the Truro-based provider of asset finance for UK SMEs, has assisted Newport Manor Farms near Taunton with finance for the refurbishment of its biomass boiler.
 
The specialist poultry farm houses 23,000 Oakham Gold broiler chickens, which are supplied to Marks and Spencer via Hood 2 Sisters, and adheres to the Better Chicken Commitment: a leading set of standards for broiler welfare. Under the terms of the commitment, the chickens are fed a multigrain diet and have more space, pecking aids and perches to encourage natural behaviour.  The birds at Newport Manor Farms also benefit from the drier heat provided by a wood chip biomass boiler, which was installed 10 years ago.
 
Ignition provides support to SMEs by financing a wide range of assets from vehicles and machinery to business equipment and renewable energy.  This can include solar panels, wind turbines, biomass and heating systems and LED lighting. It was able to assist Newport Manor Farms with a hire purchase agreement to spread the cost of updating and refurbishing the boiler’s pipe works and pumps.
 
Rebecca Horsington runs Newport Manor Farms with her husband, Simon.  She comments:
 
“It was definitely the right decision to install a biomass boiler, as the birds prefer the drier heat, and as a business it reduces our impact on the environment. We also continue to benefit from payments via the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. However, after 10 years, the system needed updating and Ignition offered to help us finance it.
 
“This is the second time we’ve used Ignition’s services, and follows the installation of solar panels on the broiler house last summer. Once again, we’ve been really impressed with the service. The team are pleasant and approachable, and the whole process has been very straightforward.”
 
Eleanor Smith, Ignition’s business development manager and renewable energy specialist comments:
 
“It was a pleasure to assist Rebecca and Simon with finance for the solar energy system last year, and again with the biomass boiler refurbishment this year. These measures highlight Newport Manor Farms’ exemplary, long-term commitment to promoting animal welfare and reducing its environmental impact.”