About Websters

Robert David Webster known to everyone as Bob was born in 1920, the son of the local Blacksmith from Burton Fleming near Bridlington, both Bob and his father Ron were members of The Worshipful Company of Farriers. Ever the entrepreneur, Bob soon had desire to make his own mark on the world. Bob moved to neighbouring village Kilham where he began laying harrows and doing repairs for local farmers. He was soon joined by George Boyes a very good engineer, Webster and Boyes, Kilham was formed. This partnership gave Bob more time to start dealing in used Farm Machinery. 

He always loved a ‘deal’ and in the late fifties began taking two lorries regularly to the South of England to bring back Massey Harris combines known as ‘baggers’, only to be told by some local farmers that they would never catch on! Bob had the foresight to realise the Combine Harvester was the future for agriculture. By the late sixties Webster and Boyes were dealers of both Leyland and David Brown tractors and leading the way in Combine Sales achieving sales of over 100 Combines a year, he was the main dealer for both Claas and Sperry New Holland and was asked to make the choice of which product he wanted to continue with, at around the same time he made the decision to end the Partnership with George Boyes.

Having decided to form his own Company, moving to a new site Clackna Farm, Kilham and choosing Sperry New Holland, Robert D Webster Ltd  was formed in 1973 and his Legacy continued. A Second depot operated from his Fathers old site in Burton Fleming.  Towards the end of 1973 Bob expanded the business down into Holderness by adding a third depot at Owstwick Grange near Roos.

In 1981 Robert D Webster Ltd was appointed Ford Tractor Dealers. By the mid 80's Bob was looking to expand the business further and took the opportunity to Purchase Wardell's of Howden. This gave Robert D Webster Ltd full coverage of East Yorkshire for Ford tractors and New Holland. Bob was the first Ford New Holland dealer in the U.K. to sell a million pounds worth of their equipment in one season.

In 1986 Ford and Sperry New Holland merged and that company was acquired by Fiat in 1991. Sadly Bob passed away in 1993 leaving his family to run the business. At the end of the 90's a decision was made to amalgamate Burton Fleming and Kilham depots due to the close proximity of each site. Burton Fleming was closed and all staff moved to Kilham.

Today Robert D Webster Ltd operates from 3 depots, Hutton Cranswick near Driffield, Owstwick, and Howden.

Bobs legacy continues as Robert D Webster Ltd were awarded New Holland 'Tractor dealer of the year 2018' and ‘Combine Harvester Dealer of the Year 2019'