Först
Först is a UK-based manufacturer of professional disc-style woodchippers (6-inch and 8-inch capacity, wheeled and tracked), selling through a global dealer network spanning 25 countries to arborists, landscapers, rental firms, and utility contractors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersAndover, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Först does
Först is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of professional woodchippers, trading as a brand of Redwood Global Limited (England and Wales, company number 08961680). Founded in 2012 in Andover, Hampshire, the company builds disc-style chippers in 6-inch and 8-inch capacity formats across wheeled and tracked configurations, with engine options ranging from 23hp petrol units to 55hp Stage V-compliant diesel units. Its core engineering IP centres on the FörstGrip twin hydraulic feed roller system with arc-climbing action, an open-top flywheel design delivering high chipping velocity, and the AutoIntelligence electronic control platform for machine management. Notable specialist products include the XR8D with Traxion side-angle system capable of traversing 35-degree banks for rail and embankment work.
The company sells primarily through an independent global dealer network spanning 25 countries, complemented by direct factory sales from its Andover headquarters, a German subsidiary (Först GmbH, established 2016, transitioned to a dealer model in 2024), and a US head office in Connecticut established in 2024. Revenue is generated through one-time equipment sales, recurring spare parts, and the FöstAssist technical support and warranty programme — notably the first comprehensive 3-year warranty offered by any manufacturer in the category. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based, with factory finance and part-exchange options available.
Först serves professional arborists, landscaping companies, equipment rental/hire businesses, utility and infrastructure contractors (including rail vegetation management), and local authorities. Named customers span enterprise fleet operators such as Avove Utilities (23 machines) and Beechwood Trees & Landscapes (10 machines) through to SMBs and US west-coast dealer Bailey's Inc. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications, is a member of Made in Britain, and operates under OEM relationships with engine suppliers including Kubota, Doosan, Yanmar, and Briggs & Stratton Vanguard.
Först firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Först
- Legal name
- Redwood Global Limited
- Website
- https://forstglobal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Först is a UK-based manufacturer of professional disc-style woodchippers (6-inch and 8-inch capacity, wheeled and tracked), selling through a global dealer network spanning 25 countries to arborists, landscapers, rental firms, and utility contractors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Först industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Woodchippers / Forestry and Arboriculture Equipment
- SIC
- Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Forestry & Logging Vehicle Manufacturing (Harvesters/Forwarders/Skidders) (IMACAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Agricultural & Forestry Vehicles (Harvesters, Forwarders, Skidders) (IMAHAIAC)
Keywords
Where Först is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Andover
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Först business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- New Woodchipper Sales: Primary revenue stream from the sale of new woodchippers. Products include wheeled chippers (6" and 8" capacity with petrol or diesel engines) and tracked chippers. Models range from compact 745kg machines to heavy-duty 2,135kg tracked units.
- Spare Parts: Genuine spare parts sold to customers for maintenance and repair of Först machines. Parts are available through dealers or direct from Först. Encourages use of authentic parts to ensure performance, durability, and warranty protection.
- Service, Warranty and Technical Support: FörstAssist technical support team provides assistance for mechanical issues and product-related technical questions. 3-year warranty offered as standard — the first manufacturer in the industry to offer a comprehensive 3-year warranty.
- Factory Finance / Financing Options: Först offers finance options for woodchipper purchases, including factory-subsidised finance deals (e.g., £1,000 pre-season subsidy on new purchases). Part-exchange on any brand of woodchipper is also offered.
- Used Woodchipper Sales: Redwood Global operates a used woodchipper sales room offering a wide range of Först and other brand chippers for sale through www.used-woodchippers.com.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Full product range with no public pricing — quote-based |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Först product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Först designs, manufactures, and sells premium woodchippers for professional arborists, landscapers, rental companies, and contractors. The product portfolio spans wheeled and tracked chippers in 6-inch and 8-inch capacity variants with petrol or diesel engines (23hp to 55hp), featuring the proprietary FörstGrip feed roller system and open-top flywheel design. Sales are made through a global dealer network and direct from the UK headquarters, supported by FörstAssist aftersales, a 3-year industry-first warranty, and factory finance options.
Product overview
Först is a UK-based manufacturer of premium woodchippers serving professional tree care companies, landscapers, rental companies, and contractors globally. The product portfolio consists of two main product lines: Wheeled Chippers (towed) and Tracked Chippers, available in 6-inch and 8-inch capacity models. Wheeled products include Cadet 6, ST6P, ST6P HD, ST6D 24, ST6D 42, and ST8D. Tracked products include Cadet 6 TR, TR6P, TR6D 24, TR6D 42, TR8D, and the slope-specialist XR8D. All machines feature the proprietary FörstGrip feed roller system and open-top flywheel design. Engine options range from 23hp to 55hp in petrol and diesel variants. Först complements its machinery with a comprehensive service offering including FörstAssist technical support, 3-year warranty, spare parts, dealer network, and factory finance options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- World's best-selling 8" tracked chipper (TR8D)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Först
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Först technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Först partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- American Rental Association (ARA)coreFörst exhibiting at ARA Show 2026 in Orlando (Booth 5612), the major North American rental industry event. The ARA Show is a key platform for Först to connect with rental professionals, demonstrate machines, and build the North American dealer network. Rental businesses are a primary target segment for Först's compact, reliable, easy-to-maintain machines.
- County OutdoorscoreBased in Hamilton, Georgia, County Outdoors covers Georgia and Alabama with Först sales, service, and full support. Founded by JB Duncan, the company serves arborists, landscapers, and councils. Described as a top-tier partner and one of Först's first US dealers. Early demos have generated strong positive customer feedback on chip speed, power, and quiet operation.
- Avove UtilitiesmajorUK's top 100 contractor providing infrastructure, vegetation management, and engineering services to water, wastewater, and vegetation management sectors. Först supplied 23 new machines (tracked and towed) for Avove's vegetation management operations across the UK. Machines finished in Avove's bespoke custom colours with full-service package. Described as 'a great example of two brands that share the same values, professionalism, performance, and pride in presentation.'
- Beechwood Trees and Landscapes LtdmajorLong-standing partnership with Beechwood Trees & Landscapes Ltd, a UK operator with 30 full-time staff. Först delivered 10 new machines with bespoke fleet graphics developed collaboratively. Beechwood has been a Först customer for years, consistently reinvesting in the brand as their business grows. Först supported Beechwood with sourcing and installing a petrol fuel tank on site for more efficient machine fuelling.
- Made in BritainminorFörst is an official member of Made in Britain, the organisation that celebrates and supports British manufacturers. The membership cements Först's commitment to UK manufacturing and positions the brand alongside the best in British industry. The Made in Britain badge signifies quality, innovation, and home-grown manufacturing excellence.
- Bailey's InccoreWoodland, California-based family-run business, official Först dealer on the west coast covering California, Oregon, and Nevada. Först's first US dealer. Bailey's has many years of experience supplying the US tree care and forestry industry and was attracted by Först's compact performance combined with premium build quality. The partnership represents Först's entry into the North American market.
- COOMBESmajorLong-term customer relationship with COOMBES, a multi-disciplined UK company in forestry, arboriculture, vegetation management, civil engineering, and specialist road and rail. Först Area Sales Manager Matt Smith manages the account. COOMBES ordered 7 new machines including ST6D42, TR6D42, and XR8D for various project applications. FörstAssist aftercare support is credited for minimising downtime on demanding projects.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Först competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GreenMech: UK-based manufacturer of wood chippers and biomass processors. GreenMech is Först's most direct UK and European competitor, serving the same arborist, rental, and grounds-maintenance segments with comparable 6" and 8" capacity machines.
- Rayco: US manufacturer of tree-care and vegetation-management equipment including brush chippers, stump cutters, and forestry mulchers. Rayco is a direct competitor in the compact and mid-size disc-chipper segment that Först targets with its TR and XR ranges.
- Bandit Industries: US-based manufacturer of brush chippers and whole tree chippers, including a full range of disc and drum chippers from 6" to 18" capacity. Bandit is the dominant North American woodchipper competitor to Först's TR8D and ST6P products, and the natural reference point for Först's US market entry.
- J.P. Carlton: US-based manufacturer of stump grinders, wood chippers, and tree care equipment. Carlton competes with Först in the same compact-disc-chipper category serving arborists, rental fleets, and tree-care contractors in North America.
- Timberwolf: UK manufacturer of wood chippers for arborists, landscapers, and hire companies. Timberwolf overlaps directly with Först's ST6P, TR6P, and ST8D product lines in the UK and European markets.
- Morbark: US manufacturer of brush chippers, whole tree chippers, grinders, and material processing equipment for the tree care, forestry, and recycling markets. Direct competitor to Först in disc-style chippers serving professional arborists and vegetation-management contractors.
Broad incumbents
- Vermeer: US-based manufacturer of forestry, tree care, and environmental equipment including chippers, horizontal grinders, and stump grinders. Vermeer competes head-on with Först in compact and mid-size chippers, and its broad product portfolio and dealer network make it a key incumbent to benchmark against.
- Bobcat (Doosan) Forestry: Compact-equipment giant that markets forestry attachments and wheeled/compact equipment adjacent to chipping operations. Relevant as a broad incumbent whose compact-equipment dealer network could expand into chipper lines competing with Först.
- Tigercat: Manufacturer of purpose-built forestry equipment including feller bunchers, harvesters, and forwarders, plus the AHWI mulching line. Tigercat operates in the broader forestry machinery category in which Först competes for arboriculture and vegetation-management customers.
- Husqvarna Forest: Swedish manufacturer of professional forestry and tree-care equipment including chainsaws and brush cutters, with a global dealer network that overlaps Först's arborist and landscaper customer base. A broad incumbent whose brand presence in tree care is comparable to Först's.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Först social profiles
Digital presenceFörst compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Först financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Först leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Först subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Först funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Först M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Först
What does Först do?
Först designs, manufactures, and sells premium woodchippers for professional arborists, landscapers, rental companies, and contractors. The product portfolio spans wheeled and tracked chippers in 6-inch and 8-inch capacity variants with petrol or diesel engines (23hp to 55hp), featuring the proprietary FörstGrip feed roller system and open-top flywheel design. Sales are made through a global dealer network and direct from the UK headquarters, supported by FörstAssist aftersales, a 3-year industry-first warranty, and factory finance options.
Is Först a public or private company?
Först is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Först founded?
Först was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Först based?
Först is headquartered in Andover, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Först make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. New Woodchipper Sales are the primary driver. The others are spare Parts, service, Warranty and Technical Support, factory Finance / Financing Options and used Woodchipper Sales.
Who are Först's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GreenMech, Rayco, Bandit Industries, J.P. Carlton, Timberwolf and Morbark. Broad incumbents are Vermeer, Bobcat (Doosan) Forestry, Tigercat and Husqvarna Forest.
Does Först have an API?
No public API is recorded for Först.
What industry is Först in?
Först's product category is Woodchippers / Forestry and Arboriculture Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAFAH, Forestry & Logging Vehicle Manufacturing (Harvesters/Forwarders/Skidders), with a secondary code of IMAHAIAC, Agricultural & Forestry Vehicles (Harvesters, Forwarders, Skidders). Its SIC code is 3530.