By COLIN TAPPING

Published at 09:42, Friday, 12 February 2010

A PASSION for innovation and diversification is keeping a Tynedale manufacturer ahead of the field.

Ahead of the field: One of the trailers designed and manufactured by Logic specially for use by ATVs.

Since its creation in the 1970s, Logic Manufacturing has carved out an enviable reputation for reliability and quality.

In its early days, Logic was famed for its development of the Logic tractor, which was the mainstay of the range of agricultural equipment it produced and sold.

And it soon latched on to the popularity of the all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) which appeared on the scene from America.

Logic spotted there was a burgeoning market for ATVs across the UK, and developed a range of products and accessories to be used with them.

The success of this product range led to the establishment of a purpose built research and development department at its Hexham base.

This R&D expertise came to the fore in 2001 when the foot-and-mouth crisis brought much of the UK agriculture to a standstill and threatened to make damaging inroads into Logic’s order books.

The business responded to the challenge by adapting many of its products for use in other sectors.

Diversification paid dividends and today Logic also manufactures specialist machinery and equipment for a wide range of sectors including equestrian, estate management, horticulture and forestry.

The company remains keen to broaden its markets. One of its trailer designs is used by British forces in Afghanistan.

Logic marketing manager Stefan Gemski said diversification had en-abled to business to come through the recession with increased sales in some of its markets.

“By not having all our eggs in one basket, we are able to concentrate our efforts according to market conditions. We have more than one string to our bow and are able to spread the risk.” he said.

“Our research and development team is continually working on new developments to existing machines or working on new products.”

He said much of the success was down to its 25-strong workforce at Bridge End, Hexham.

“The principal people in the company worked either on the land or have farming backgrounds. Because they are familiar with the tasks to be done, that drives the design process and ensures our designs are fit for purpose. It has been important for the strength of the business to be based where it is, in an area where farming and rural industries are important.”

With a distribution centre in Gloucestershire complementing its Hexham base, Logic is able to supply its network of dealers across the UK and its main agents in all parts of Europe.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk