Everything dates back to the time when Glyn Baker left school at 15 years old. Living on his father’s livestock and arable farm, Glyn went to Rycotewood College, Thame and took a five-year apprenticeship in agricultural engineering, welding and blacksmithing. This was to become the foundation of the Quality Equipment we know today over four decades later.
In the early years Glyn developed the company, firstly repairing machinery, such as tractors and then manufacturing equipment for pig farmers, including pens, farrowing crates as well as carrying out general maintenance. This work soon spread across East Anglia.
In 1971 Quality Equipment attended its first Pig Fair at Stoke Mandeville. This opened up both the UK and international pig farming markets. The company has attended the Pig & Poultry Fairs ever since and continues to operate successfully throughout the UK and Europe.
During the rapid growth of pig farming in the 1970s and 1980s, Quality Equipment expanded its service to include the delivery of farming consumables and then larger items of equipment. The staff grew to 40 people and a livery of three vehicles was on the road every day.
In 2005, Glyn handed over the reins as Managing Director to Jamie Baker, although he still plays an active part on a day to day basis. Supported by fellow directors Graham Baker and Mark Harding, they are driving the company forward in the modern era. Quality Equipment has developed into a multi-faceted company with established trading links in Europe and beyond.
Its investment in research and development has resulted in innovative products, such as the production of the much-acclaimed Transition Feeder which has been widely used around the world.
More recently it has been actively involved in developing the design and equipment for modern, efficient pig production. With the national emphasis switching to energy-saving and reduction of greenhouse gases, the company is now involved in heat recovery and energy saving in both its new and refurbished buildings.
In addition to its thriving equipment department Quality Equipment has formed a construction division that is now an established part of the company.
