Two years ago, in April 2024, Armagh-based machinery manufacturer Redrock acquired the K-Two brand. The takeover came as K-Two entered into administration, after falling into financial difficulties. Based in Buckinghamshire, K-Two is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers, and was founded in 1988.

The firm started building muck spreaders in 1992, which it is still best known for today. In 2019, the company bought Warwick Trailers along with the 52,000sq ft factory near Hampshire. This tripled K-Two’s production capacity; however, it required a significant investment to modernise the facility, which fell in line with a downturn in demand.

When Redrock took over the company, it appointed Aaron Ingram as the new K-Two general manager. From Fermanagh, Aaron is a design engineer by trade. With experience in running his own engineering business and working for other engineering companies, Aaron also played a big role in supporting the setup of Redrock’s standalone trailer manufacturing facility in 2022.

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Why did Redrock purchase K-Two?

“The two businesses complemented each other extremely well. The synergies between both companies were undeniable with Redrock expertise in manufacturing liquid manure equipment and K-Two’s dominance in the dry manure spreading market, allowing them to offer a more complete solution to customers.

“Redrock was presented an opportunity to acquire a respected British brand with an existing dealer network, skilled workforce, and strong market reputation in both UK and international markets.”

Are there plans to incorporate K-Two into the Redrock brand?

“There are no plans to incorporate K-Two Machinery into the Redrock Machinery brand and it will continue as a separate identity. At the time of the acquisition, Redrock stated it would continue manufacturing K-Two products at Haddenham and support the brand through both companies’ dealer networks, while combining resources behind the scenes to drive growth innovation for both companies.”

Will all production and manufacturing continue to take place in England?

“Production and manufacturing for K-Two Machinery will remain in England, specifically at the Haddenham site where the K-Two brand was born and calls home.

“The K-Two Machinery brand is closely tied to its reputation for British-built and engineered, so keeping production in England we feel is key to maintaining that identity.”

Was all of the previous K-Two workforce retained?

“When the news of the administration broke, some staff moved to other companies, but the majority stayed with K-Two.

“This included all of the key employees, including Terry Kelloway and Ashley Knibb, K-Two’s original founders, who continue to play a central role in the new K-Two team.

“With over 35 years of experience in the market, Terry’s business and sales expertise is an invaluable asset.

“Combined with Ashley’s technical design understanding, K-Two have seamlessly transitioned into a period of strong growth following the acquisition.

“Terry and the team have continued to work with the existing K-Two Dealer Network, whilst forging relationships with a number of new dealers throughout the UK and Europe.”

Are there plans in place to expand the range?

“There are plans to expand the K-Two Machinery range with customer feedback at the heart of everything we do.

Have there been updates to current models or has Redrock changed much of the manufacturing processes?

“The team is currently working on upgrading the muck spreader range, with new models set to be introduced through 2026 alongside upgrades to existing machines.

“These updates focus on improved performance, easier maintenance, increased volumes, better material flow and lower power requirements, showing a clear push to upgrade and develop the current machines rather than replace them.”

What changes has Redrock brought about to the K-Two company, or what changes does it intend on bringing about in the near future?

“Since Redrock’s acquisition of K-Two in 2024, the main changes have focused on stabilising the business after administration, then actively rebuilding and expanding it rather than radically rebranding or restructuring it.

“A key early priority was retaining existing dealer relationships and ensuring continuity of supply after the company’s period of administration, which helped rebuild confidence in the market.

“Redrock has supported a clear strategy of growth through both dealer network expansion and export development.

“The business has strengthened its UK and European dealer base while also pushing into international markets such as North America, Australia, and New Zealand, often linking K-Two products with Redrock’s slurry equipment to widen appeal.”

Where is the largest market outside the home market and what percentage of production is for export?

“K-Two’s largest market outside its home UK market is generally North America, Australia and New Zealand. However, since the 2024 acquisition, there has also been a noticeable uplift in sales into Ireland, which has become one of the most active and important nearby export markets due to its similar agricultural practices and strong demand for muck spreading equipment.”

Is there any cross over between Redrock and K-Two in terms of manufacturing and staff?

“There is clear crossover between Redrock and K-Two, but it’s more about shared people, expertise, and coordination rather than full mixed manufacturing lines.

“Following the 2024 acquisition, Redrock stated that K-Two would continue operating as a separate brand manufactured at its Haddenham site, with both businesses benefiting from shared knowledge and resources rather than being fully merged into one production system.”

How is the future of K-Two looking now?

“Twenty-four months on, much has changed at K-Two Machinery – yet the core values remain unchanged. Every machine is still British-built, rigorously tested, and comes with a three-year warranty trusted by farmers worldwide.

“Sales continue to go from strength to strength. Our recent partnership with the Canadian manufacturer Penta Equipment has highlighted the opportunity for growth internationally for K-Two and Redrock.

“Penta identified an opportunity to enhance their product offering by adding the Redrock slurry equipment and the K-Two muck spreader range to their lineup. As part of this agreement, Penta, Redrock and K-Two will come together to become the official North American distributor of Redrock and K-Two equipment.

“This could not have been achieved without the continued dealer loyalty K-two has enjoyed over the years.

“K-Two stands not just as a manufacturer, but as a genuine partner to the farmers and contractors. The future looks exceptionally bright for K-Two Machinery.”