Tue, 14 Oct 2025 | ADMINISTRATION
A long-running manufacturer of farming machinery is preparing for sale after filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators. Lincolnshire-based Chafer Machinery Limited has confirmed it is “seeking professional financial advice over the future of the business”.
The notice of intention was filed on October 10, with corporate restructuring specialists Leonard Curtis now engaged in a review period to assess the business’ financial situation, contact creditors and advise on next steps, with a formal administration likely.
Chafer Machinery, which trades as Chafer and Horstine, is one of the country’s longest-running farm machinery firms, having been operating for more than a hundred years. Based in Upton, near Gainsborough, the company is known for manufacturing crop sprayers, applicators and de-icing equipment.
The company operates via a UK-wide dealership network and has reportedly built a strong reputation in the agricultural sector for reliability and innovation. The Horstine division specialises in precision application.
In a statement, Chafer Machinery said that the business was “being prepared for sale” and urged parties interested in acquiring the whole or part of the business to register their interest. The statement added that the firm’s factory would be closed during this time, with no parts or technical support available.
The business does not report profit and loss figures in its financial accounts, but it was reported to have generated a pre-tax profit in 2024, following financial losses incurred in 2022 and 2023. In the year to September 30 2024, when the company employed 43 staff, its fixed assets were valued at approximately £243,000 and current assets at £3.9 million, while net assets amounted to slightly over £1.6 million.
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