From humble beginnings in 1959 to becoming a leading name in fresh, ready-to-eat salads, Bryans Salads has always stayed true to its family values and commitment to quality.
Now led by the third generation, the Lancashire-based company farms 650 acres of lettuce and baby leaf crops during the UK growing season, supplementing with imported produce in the winter to ensure year-round supply.
With around 350 employees - rising to 400 in the peak summer season - efficiency and reliability are key to the company’s success, which is why JCB machinery plays a vital role in their operations.
A British partnership
For the last decade, JCB has been a trusted partner for Bryans Salads. The company made the switch from a competitor’s telescopic handlers in 2015 after hearing positive feedback from fellow local farmers on the JCB Loadall.
As Bryans Salads Managing Director Robert Bryan explains: “JCB is British manufactured, and we like to support British companies and agriculture as much as we can. JCB also has a very strong dealer support and service network.”
Since making the switch in 2015, Bryans Salads has purchased four JCB telehandlers, with the latest addition being a 2024 JCB 536-95 Loadall Agri Xtra. As Robert adds: “The comfort and ease of use were the main things we loved about the machine but the reliability has also proved first class."
Robert Bryan | Bryans Salads Managing Director
The JCB 536-95 Agri Xtra has been integral to recent projects, including the construction of farm buildings and lifting heavy steel structures into place. Most recently, it was used to upgrade the company’s industrial refrigeration units, improving cooling efficiency to maintain the highest quality produce.
JCB’s industry leading 536-95 Agri Xtra boasts unparalleled productivity courtesy of smart hydraulics which improves cycle time and reduces fuel consumption. Increased lifting performance meets superior comfort thanks to the best-in-class CommandPlus cab with reduced cab noise and improved all-round visibility.
A machine for all seasons
The JCB 536-95 Loadall Agri Xtra is proving to be a true workhorse for Bryans Salads, performing vital tasks across the farm and factory throughout the year – often in difficult conditions and battling adverse weather. Yet its efficiency, durability and productivity have proven unwavering.
As Robert explains: “During the winter months the telehandler is used for loading work such as stone and soil, but it also helps us carry pallets across field to harvest cabbage and other winter crops.
“In Spring, the machine helps carry rolls of grow-tech (a non-woven polypropylene material) around the fields which we then roll out to cover our early crops to insulate them against the cold and frost.
“In the Summer months it loads trailers with pallets and helps with general maintenance around the farm and factory.”
One of the key features of the JCB 536-96 Loadall Agri Xtra which is proving extremely useful for Bryans Salads is the performance of the 9-metre boom. Thanks to regenerative hydraulics which harness gravitational forces this allows quicker boom lowering and retraction for maximum efficiency.
As Robert attests: “The 9m boom on the machine is very beneficial to our company as it helps us gain access to the top of our buildings to clean gutters and lift machinery up and down. The size of the machine is very compact compared to other competitors and the 9m boom, which the competitors don’t have in this frame size, is very beneficial in small areas as you still have the capability to reach but with the turning circle that allows great manoeuvrability.”
Growing together
As Bryans Salads continues to expand both its farm and factory, JCB remains an essential part of its growth. With a dedication to supplying fresh, high-quality salads and a focus on supporting British manufacturing, Bryans Salads and JCB are growing together - season after season.