Fruit-growers Fourayes has secured a six-figure finance facility to buy a state-of-the-art new machine to help its apple harvest.

Fourayes Farm, based in Bicknor, near Sittingbourne, will use the facility to support the purchase of a peeling, coring and seed-celling machine for the processing of its English Bramley apples.

The deal was agreed with HSBC.

Fourayes is a leading supplier to all major manufacturers of baked goods and has seen an increase in demand over the last year for its products.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, chief financial officer of Fourayes Farm, said: “We had previously leased our English Bramley apple peeling, coring and seed-celling equipment, but this facility has given us the freedom to purchase and create a totally bespoke and unique unit to match our specific technology requirements. We need the increased production capability due to a new growing method we have pioneered for the Bramley Apple, called close planting."

Graeme Alston, HSBC UK deputy area director for the South East added: “As the leading grower and processor of fruit in the UK, we were delighted to support the team at Fourayes to purchase outright this innovative technology. The new machinery will support the business’ future growth and further strengthen its market dominance.”

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