Two Ross-on-Wye businesses enjoyed a visit from the Princess Royal last week, as reported in last week’s Ross Gazette. Princess Anne arrived in Ross by helicopter and then visited ABT Products Ltd, a leading manufacturer of industrial and agricultural equipment, before moving on to James Gourmet Coffee Co Ltd.

After hearing about the continued growth of ABT and Loadmac, Truck Mounted Forklifts which are becoming recognised as the best in the world. The Princess Royal requested to visit the factory and see the operation for herself.

Accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley, the Princess Royal, was welcomed by Cadets, the High Sherriff, Bill Jackson, members of the ABT management team and other dignitaries. These included the Mayor and Mayoress of Ross, Councillor David Ravenscroft and his wife, Doreen.

During the visit, Mark Hignett, Managing Director, invited Her Royal Highness to tour the factory, to meet key employees and take a look at their newest Loadmac Truck Mounted Forklift, the 220.

Her Royal Highness experienced the company’s full range of manufacturing facilities, from sheet steel laser cutting and folding, tube manipulation, welding, surface finishing and assembly lines. Tim Morris, Operations Director, pictured left, accompanied The Princess Royal throughout the visit, introducing her to 36 members of the 90 strong workforce.

After the event, Tim Morris told the Ross Gazette:?“I am proud of what we do at ABT, and the people that make sure that we deliver quality machines on time for our customers. We considered it an honour to welcome The Princess Royal to ABT and demonstrate our design and production capabilities. She was particularly interested in our apprenticeship program and graduate scheme, which has really started to bear fruit in the last year, training highly skilled welders and design engineers.”

Mark Hignett added: “Our Loadmac Truck Mounted Forklifts are a prime example of how ABT continues to evolve and ensure that the company remains profitable, and employment for our workforce is secure well in to the future. Finding skilled and reliable production operators and managers is the biggest challenge the company faces if we are to become a global market leader with Loadmac. It is worth mentioning that ABT is one of the founders of the new Hereford University which will help provide the engineers that we need in the future.”

ABT employs 90 to 100 people, and was one of the Top 50 UK businesses in the London Stock Exchange “Best 1000 UK SME Companies” report 2015.

The Princess Royal then visited James Gourmet Coffee Co Ltd at the Chase Industrial Estate where she was able to see and taste the different coffees and the way they are processed.