Mark Westaway & Son faced a critical challenge when their local supplier couldn’t deliver the hydraulic part needed for their hay baling machine. Turning to Hydraulics Online, they not only found a solution – but secured a more robust, reliable component that enhanced performance in the field.
Mark Westaway & Son: Pioneers of Dust-Free Horse Forage
Mark Westaway & Son has been producing HorseHage, the original dust-free horse forage, from its Devon farmland since the late 1970s. This innovative feed was developed to combat the respiratory issues caused by dust in traditional hay – offering a healthier alternative for horses.
The company’s commitment to quality earned it the Royal Warrant in 1983, after Her Majesty the Queen’s horse, Burmese, was successfully fed HorseHage during a respiratory illness. Today, HorseHage is supplied to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and has been the official forage provider to The British Equestrian Team since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Seasonal Operations: Precision Timing for Peak Performance
At Mark Westaway & Son, agricultural production follows a highly seasonal rhythm. To maximise productivity, equipment maintenance is strategically scheduled during the off-season, ensuring that harvesting and baling machinery can operate at full capacity during the summer months. When the weather is favourable, the team works tirelessly – from dawn to dusk – to secure the highest-quality forage.
With a reputation for excellence and a client base that includes The Royal Mews and The British Equestrian Team, performance is non-negotiable. As Chris Tar, General Manager and son-in-law of founder Mark Westaway, puts it:
“You’ve got to get everything ready; you can’t wait ‘til you start work.”
This commitment to readiness extends to their suppliers. Hydraulics Online earned praise for their speed of service and helpful attitude, helping ensure that operations run smoothly when timing is everything.
During an annual maintenance check, Mark Westaway & Son identified a faulty hydraulic control panel on one of their baling machines – prompting an urgent need for replacement. Chris Tar’s first step was to contact their usual local supplier, but the part wasn’t available, and support was limited.
“Normally we’d deal with the local supplier but they didn’t have this particular part and they weren’t particularly helpful, so we set about finding it ourselves,” explains Chris.
Faced with downtime risk, the team turned to online research.
“One of my team began searching for possible hydraulic suppliers on the internet and we found Hydraulics Online. It was our first time ordering with them and the service was very good.”
This marked the beginning of a new supplier relationship – one built on responsiveness, reliability, and a clear understanding of hydraulic procurement challenges in agricultural environments.
Good Supplier Relationships Built on Expertise and Reliability
Hydraulics Online quickly sourced a suitable replacement part for Mark Westaway & Son, drawing on its deep expertise in hydraulics for agricultural applications. Beyond simply replacing the component, the team recommended a more robust model – designed to withstand the demanding conditions of fieldwork and extend equipment life.
“Agriculture is a fairly tough environment. In the field, there is a lot of vibration, lots of dust, and electronic components don’t last that long,” says Chris Tar, General Manager.
“Hydraulics Online helped us get a heavier duty bit of kit.”
This added durability helps maximise production hours and ensures that Mark Westaway & Son’s high-quality HorseHage product reaches customers without disruption.
Delivery was smooth and timely. The part arrived in good time, and the baling machine was restored to full working order—just in time for the busy harvesting season, which runs from May to September.
“I will be very happy to use Hydraulics Online again,” Chris concludes.
Whether – like Chris – your customers are prestigious, high profile and include royalty, or not… we're here.
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