About RJ Fukes
Established in 1995, RJ Fukes Forestry Services has emerged as a leading specialist in forestry engineering and equipment. The company boasts a comprehensive network of engineers serving the entire United Kingdom and Ireland. In addition to their proprietary range of CE-approved MC winch systems, which are specifically designed for cable logging applications, they also serve as sales and service partners for several esteemed forestry manufacturers, including Bereuter Maschinebau, Logset, Ludwig System GmbH, Timbermax, TST, XCMG, and Xuvol.
The enterprise was co-founded by John and Sue Fukes, whose combined skills, perseverance, and dedication have significantly contributed to RJ Fukes's successful establishment as a respected entity in the industry.
John & Sue Fukes
Owners
John began his career as an engineer with a Ford agricultural main dealer, developing a particular interest in the challenges associated with County tractors, which were widely used by local forestry contractors. Following the completion of his apprenticeship and subsequent field experience, he made the pivotal decision to operate independently as a mobile mechanical engineer. This decision proved advantageous, as he was in considerable demand for repairs among local forestry contractors. With the advent of cut-to-length machinery replacing skidders, and the introduction of specialised harvesting equipment from manufacturers such as Skogserik, Volvo BM, Lako, Peka, and Silvatec, John's expertise and reputation flourished. He became well-known for his exceptional diagnostic abilities and efficiency in resolving issues, earning the trust of customers who recognised his unparalleled problem-solving skills.
In parallel, Sue manages the business's administrative operations. With prior experience in customer service and accounting gained during her tenure at Halifax Bank, where she attained the position of assistant manager, Sue's expertise complements John's technical knowledge, further enhancing the efficiency and success of RJ Fukes Forestry Services.
Brian Hastings
Workshop Manager
Brian, our manager in Carlisle has been with us from day one. Highly skilled and efficient he is a dab hand at whatever job he puts his mind to.
Always going the extra mile to help our customers, with a keen eye for detail, you can rest easy, you’re in good hands.
As the demand for timber escalated and contractors sought to enhance their operations with additional machinery, John and Sue strategically expanded their portfolio to include the sale of used tractors and forestry-related equipment. They both recognised the need to invest in high-quality workshop facilities to facilitate the growth of their businesses. In 1998, a substantial agricultural building with accompanying land became available for purchase just outside Llandovery, which was successfully acquired. This acquisition proved to be a pivotal decision for RJ Fukes, enabling the duo to invest in essential tools, specialised equipment, and the additional personnel required to undertake more extensive projects.
At the turn of the century, a significant opportunity emerged when the Irish company Armour Machinery, the distributors of Logset for Ireland and the UK, approached them with a proposal. Armour Machinery recognised the advantages of partnering with RJ Fukes as their dealer for South Wales and Southern England. This collaboration presented John with the prospect of transforming excavators into cost-effective timber harvesters utilising Logset harvesting heads.
In early 2000, John successfully converted his first excavator, a Daewoo, by incorporating a Logset harvesting head and designing bespoke forestry guarding. This conversion was delivered to a local forestry contractor who expressed high satisfaction with both the product and the after-sales service, leading to additional purchases, including a Logset forwarder.
During this period, the UK timber markets experienced growth that paralleled RJ Fukes's expansion. The company broadened its customer base to encompass regions as far as Devon and Cornwall, the New Forest, and most of Wales. RJ Fukes remains committed to addressing customer needs, a focus that fostered the development of their inaugural Skyline. This system was successfully installed on a JCB 818 excavator in 2001, marking a significant achievement for the company. To date, over twenty RJ Fukes skylines have been constructed and sold.
As the years progressed, RJ Fukes evolved as well. In 2008, the company was appointed Logset's sales and service partner for the entire UK and Ireland, establishing a mutually beneficial, long-term partnership. This development led to the establishment of their northern depot in Longtown, resulting in an increase in workforce and the acquisition of more fully equipped vehicles, thereby enhancing their capacity for on-site service and repair for customers.
Collaboration with Logset has played a crucial role in advancing this Finnish company's development. John has been significantly involved in the design of the TH seventy-five harvesting head, and the measuring wheel utilised was a product of his ingenuity. His contributions have also been vital in enhancing Logset’s harvesters and forwarders.
In 2010, the initial highlead winch system was designed and manufactured for a client in North Wales. Following successful field testing, the winch has been operational and continues to perform effectively. This ongoing use stands as a testament to John’s engineering expertise. He takes pride in transforming customers' ideas into tangible realities.
In 2018, John encountered Mathew Lovoie, the founder of Timbermax traction assist winches, and has since been instrumental in the software and design improvements of their equipment. He introduced several of his own innovations, including the wire rope cleaner, which Mathew markets as an optional add-on for clients. The design of the rear frame-mounted Timbermax traction winch for excavators is John's innovation, along with the specialised dredging winch system. Constantly thinking innovatively, John is currently installing a Timbermax traction winch on the front frame of a used Logset harvester base machine. This setup will soon be available for rental to customers.
Mathew emphasises that John's contributions are paramount to Timbermax's success, asserting that without his involvement, Timbermax would not have reached its current stature. In 2022, RJ Fukes was recognised as the number one global Timbermax distributor for selling ten units. This achievement was followed the following year, when they received the gold award at the Royal Welsh Show for the best stand display.
RJ Fukes consistently invests in equipment, inventory, and staff training to remain at the forefront of the forestry industry. Beyond sales, servicing, and equipment repairs, clients benefit from a comprehensive range of engineering services, including CAD design, fabrication, plasma cutting, line boring, shot blasting, painting, and hydraulic and electrical design.
Recently, new facilities covering the northern region of the United Kingdom have been acquired and are undergoing development to support business growth. RJ Fukes is uniquely positioned, offering customers the advantage of over 150 years of combined forestry expertise from its key engineers.
As the UK forestry sector transitions, RJ Fukes is well-positioned to supply and service equipment suited to a range of logging applications. They provide purpose-built cut-to-length harvesting equipment, specialised equipment for steep logging sites, and more affordable harvesting solutions tailored for smaller, independent harvesting contractors.
In addition to their own services and equipment, RJ Fukes has cultivated exceptional long-term working relationships with the companies and products they represent. Their status as an independent concern affords them the flexibility to represent equipment from some of the most esteemed manufacturing companies worldwide, ensuring that the individual interests of their customers remain the central focus of RJ Fukes.
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