Ireland
Established in 1973, at Platts Agriculture Limited we’ve been making quality, sustainable products for the animal bedding industry for 50 years.
We pride ourselves in being one of the market leaders in the UK animal bedding and cubicle conditioner market, regularly supplying farmers throughout the UK and Ireland. Our customers range from local family businesses, to university research farms, mega-dairies and even the Royal Farms in Windsor. It’s a privilege to hold the Royal Warrant for supply of Animal Bedding to the Royal Household.
Employing around 60 staff in total across our 3 sites, located on the Llay Industrial Estate North, Wrexham, Platts are a key local employer in the Llay area. We’re currently going through a sustained period of growth, alongside sister-companies Platts Commercial Services and Platts Transport Limited.
Read more about our journey below…
1973
R A & C E Platt Limited is born when then pig farmers, Robert and Christine Platt start hand-bagging and selling shavings in hessian sacks to poultry farmers.
1975
Platts move to a larger location to facilitate their growth- a 1 acre site on Wrexham Industrial Estate. Sawdust and shavings are now packaged in plastic sacks.
2000
Platts purchase a 4-acre site on Llay industrial Estate, Wrexham, and started new factory build.
2001
Completion of purpose-built factory with a fully automated turnkey system, automatic bagging and filling line and new palletisation. Pallets are now plastic wrapped, giving customers the option of an outside storage solution.
2002
First Sales team staff join the company and work in a portacabin on site. Moving-floor trailers are introduced to transport bulk sawdust. The fleet is now made up of about 80 trailers – to transport raw materials and finished goods.
2003
Antibacta - antibacterial sawdust is developed, following research with Kings College London.
2007
Platts own weighbridge is installed on site!
2009
The factory is extended to house an additional bagging line and new weatherproof pallet hooding technology; this replaces the pallet wrapper after customer feedback.
2010
Platts purchase the iconic Landrover – which will later be wrapped!
2015
New Site Office and welfare facilities are built for production staff. Platts acquire an additional 2 sites on the industrial Estate.
Platts Commercial Services was born to maintain our own fleet- and approved by DVSA as an Authorised Testing Facility for Heavy Goods Vehicles.
2016
Platts office staff move into Parkleigh offices – named after the Platts’ farm.
New bespoke bulk loading system is installed. Platts’ operating licence is increased for further growth.
2017
The business joins the Chamber of Commerce and explore further export markets and opportunities in Ireland
2018
Platts is awarded the Royal Warrant, leading to the company taking the green pledge to continue to grow sustainably and work to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
Platts wins Chamber of Commerce award for Business Growth – and Apprentice of the Year.
2019
After entering the FSB awards the company wins the scale up business of the year award.
Expansion of factory with a new baling system. A new shift is added at the factory creating more jobs – taking Platts to 24/7 production capacity.
As the fleet continues to grow, all trucks are now fitted with new telematics technology to encourages efficient driving.
Platts team is now 58 strong.
2020
Chris Whittaker, 3rd Generation of the Family Business joins as Director. Covid hits - and Platts are forced to respond quickly to continue to supply dairy farmers working throughout the pandemic.
2020
The Platts Group is established - and Platts Commercial Services. R A & C E Platt Limited is established as a parent company, with Platts Agriculture Ltd and Platts Commercial Services now operating separately.
2020
Platts offers general haulage services during lockdown, using our existing fleet and drivers- and as a result, Platts Transport is later incorporated in 2022.
2020
In September 2020, following a challenging few months, we celebrate as the last furloughed member of staff returns to work. No redundancies made!
2021
A number of key Senior Management join the team, including Head of HR Nerys, to support further growth.
2021
The move to all electric company vehicles begins!
2021
Installation of a new hooder allows for more efficient packaging and palletising with less waste that ever before.
2022
A new role is created, for a Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager - to support Platts in our environmental management and quality systems. Alison joins the team- taking us to 62 members of staff.
2022
Platts win Family Business of the Year and Sustainability/Environmental Award at the FSB Wales Awards - through to the UK National Finals.
2022
Platts Agriculture are announced as National Family Business of the Year in the FSB UK finals!
2022
Platts take home yet another award for the cabinet- winning 'Excellence in Sustainability' award at the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce Awards!
2023
Platts Supports His Majesty’s Coronation Year Tree Planting Initiative, with the Royal Warrant Holders Association.
2023
Platts achieve the Level 3 Green Dragon Acceditation, following implementation of an Envionmental Management System across the company, and work towards level 4/5, equivalent to ISO14001.
2023
In November, Platts Agriculture win the inaugural Green Wrexham award for our efforts towards sustainability in our local community.
2023
Celebrating 50 Years of Platts! Throughout the year, Platts celebrate half a century of trading, with staff, suppliers and stakeholders. To end the year in style, all Platts People celebrate with a party to remember in December!