During the war years J. Foster & Company. was established to manufacture aircraft components, under the strict supervision of the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate. The company then developed into the agricultural sector, producing and marketing the Rapid-cut, a tractor mounted hedgecutter, along with sprout trimmers and other innovative machines.

In 1962 began the development of the Foster Digger range, one of the very first tractor mounted diggers to be seen in the UK, the first being marketed in November 1963. Sales took off rapidly and machines where then sold all over the world, from County Cork to Columbo; Austria; Jamaica; France; Fiji; Egypt; USA, Afghanistan; Norway. the Falkland Islands and many others.

In 1972 the company changed ownership to become Potter Hill Engineering and continued to prosper, moving manufacture to the nearby market town of Beverley with increased factory space to meet growing national and international demand for the Foster Digger., later changing its name to become Foster (Farm Equipment) Ltd, and producing other machines such as Acre Master Subsoilers, Soil Looseners and cultivators, and a comprehensive range of trailers.

In 1986 Foster Sales Company was formed and acquired the assets of Foster Farm Equipment who had manufactured agricultural machinery in Beverley since 1972, and previously at North Cave since the 1960’s.

Following the acquisition of the Bamford Forage Box range in 1991, this machine was re-engineered and further developed to offer a wider range of sizes and capacities with both front and rear discharge options to suit a variety of different feeding passage requirements and trough applications.

With extensive knowledge and experience in the manufacture, supply and distribution of agricultural machinery through the retail dealer trade, the company has continued to explore new markets with the development of products mainly aimed at the livestock sector of the industry. Throughout the 1990’s and into the new Millennium the company has added to its range which now includes Rubber Bladed Yard Scrapers, Transport and Livestock Boxes, Single and twin rotor Pasture Toppers, medium and very heavy duty Scrubcutters offering cutting widths up to 2 meters, Bale Handlers for round and square wrapped silage bales, and a wide range of bale spikes for rear linkage and front loader mounting.

The company remains very proud of its British roots and continues to remain a totally family owned and operated business. Farming practices and market demands change constantly and although we continue to change certain methods to meet those requirements, our core values remain the same as when Jack Foster began his business all those years ago.

Foster Versatile Bale Handler - Video