Sprouted in the Field, Grown with STAS - Manor Farm & Storage
In the heart of the British countryside, Paul Riley has spent a lifetime building something more than just a farm or a transport company. With roots in farming and a fleet of STAS trailers behind him, Manor Farm and Storage has become a rock-solid presence in the UK’s agricultural transport scene.
“I was probably three or four when I started following my dad around the farm, it’s been in the family for decades. Today, I run the business with him – and STAS has been part of that journey for over 20 years.”
Based in Bedfordshire, Manor Farm is a tight-knit, hands-on company with 11 lorries and 12 trailers on the road. They transport combinable crops like wheat, barley and oilseed rape across the UK, and more recently, aggregates too. In a sector where reliability is everything, Paul says the decision to stick with STAS tippers was an easy and well-founded decision.
“We bought our first aluminium STAS trailer in 2002,” he says. “We were one of the first in the UK to run them. No issues, no drama – just strong, well-built trailers that did exactly what we needed.”
Like any long-term relationship, there were challenges along the way – early issues with backdoor clamps, for instance – but what stood out was how STAS handled them. “They came to the yard, saw the problem, and helped implement a fix. That solution ended up being rolled out across the whole range. That’s what I call real support.”
"Like any long-term relationship, there were challenges along the way, but what stood out was how STAS handled them."
Over the years, Manor Farm has experimented with other trailer brands – but none measured up, the reliability just wasn’t there. "We’d get cracks in the chassis and no backup when things went wrong. With STAS, it’s different. They stand by their product.”
The power of partnership
Through it all, Newton Trailers – the STAS dealer Paul has worked with for years – has been a constant. “Fantastic people,” he says. “My dad worked with Mr. Smith 45 years ago. I’ve worked with Andrew. If there’s a problem, even when the trailer is out of the warranty period, they come to us. They don’t hide behind emails. They show up.”
What keeps Paul loyal isn’t just the trailer’s performance – it’s also the simple practical advantages. “Our STAS trailers are easier to clean, the flat floor means better unloading, and the shape lets us carry more. We’re getting more weight on with every load – 29 tonnes instead of 25 with lighter products like oats.”
"We’re getting more weight on with every load – 29 tonnes instead of 25 with lighter products like oats.”
And then there’s the resale value. “That matters a lot in this business. STAS holds its value better than anything else on the market.”
Today, the trailers are more than just tools. They’re trusted workhorses that make the operation more efficient and profitable. “STAS and Newton Trailers have supported us every step of the way,” Paul adds. "It’s a partnership, really.”
So, how would Paul sum up his experience with STAS trailers?
“Strong, durable, and they do exactly what they say on the tin.”
After 40 years in the business and two decades with STAS, Paul’s not looking to switch anytime soon.
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