Thomas Bell Fertiliser Importers

What Thomas Bell Fertiliser Importers does

Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd, trading as Thomas Bell Fertiliser Importers, is a UK privately owned family business founded in 1878 and headquartered in Brigg, North Lincolnshire. It is the largest privately owned independent importer of fertilisers in the UK, importing, manufacturing, blending, and distributing a comprehensive range of nitrogen, multi-nutrient, compound, and straight fertilisers under its own Diamond Fertilisers brand and via exclusive UK distribution of products from Grupa Azoty (PULAN, megAN), Achema (LITHAN), Anglo American (POLY4), and BASF (Limus-protected urea, sold as N-Shield). Operations span manufacturing and blending plants at Immingham, Newport, and Ipswich, plus distribution at Sharpness and Grimsby, supported by an in-house fleet of Euro 6 vehicles providing nationwide direct-to-farm delivery. The company also operates a carbon footprint calculator developed with ADAS, and holds FIAS and TASCC compliance certifications across all sites.

Name

Thomas Bell Fertiliser Importers

Legal name

Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd

Website

https://thomas-bell.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1878

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd is the UK's largest privately owned independent fertiliser importer, manufacturing, blending, and distributing a comprehensive range of nitrogen, multi-nutrient, and specialty fertilisers to UK farmers, buying groups, and merchants from facilities at Immingham, Newport, Ipswich, and Sharpness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Fertilisers

NAICS

Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing (325314), Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing (325311), Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42491)

SIC

Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Blending & Private-Label Specialty Fertilizers (AFABACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

NPK/Compound & Blended Fertilizers (Granular Blends, Bulk Blending) (AFABABAD), Fertilizer & Nutrient Retail (Dry, Liquid, Blends) (AFABAJAF)

Keywords

• Fertiliser distribution
• Crop nutrition products
• Compound fertilisers
• Fertiliser blending
• Agricultural inputs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brigg

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fertiliser Sales: Thomas Bell imports, manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of high-quality fertilisers including Ammonium Nitrate (Pulan, Lithan, megAN, Zaksan), Urea, Nitrogen Sulphur Compounds, Straights, Blends, POLY4, and Diamond Fertilisers branded products. Revenue generated from sale of these fertilisers in bulk, 600kg and 1000kg bags to UK farmers, buying groups and merchants.
2. Fertiliser Manufacturing: Thomas Bell manufactures Diamond Fertilisers at their blending plants, operating state-of-the-art facilities with precision measurement technology for multi-nutrient fertilisers.
3. Distribution and Logistics: Operating own fleet of lorries for delivery of fertilisers direct to farm, providing first-class service from factory to farm with full load, part load and multi-drop delivery options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Thomas Bell imports, manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of high-quality fertilisers to UK farmers, buying groups and merchants. The portfolio includes Ammonium Nitrate (PULAN, LITHAN, megAN), Urea (including Limus-protected), Nitrogen Sulphur Compounds, Straights, Blends, POLY4 multi-nutrient fertiliser, and the company's own Diamond Fertilisers brand. Manufacturing is conducted at state-of-the-art blending plants at Immingham, Newport and Ipswich, and delivery is performed by an in-house fleet of ADR-equipped Euro 6 lorries direct to farm.

Product overview

Thomas Bell Fertiliser Importers is a UK-based importer, manufacturer, and supplier of fertilisers offering a comprehensive portfolio of branded and proprietary products. The core portfolio includes ammonium nitrate products (PULAN 34.4%N from Grupa Azoty, LITHAN 34.4%N from Achema, and megAN 33.5%N), their own Diamond Fertilisers brand (compounds, blends, straights including MOP, SUPA KIESERITE, and NPK formulations), POLY4 multi-nutrient fertiliser from Anglo American, urea protected by BASF's Limus technology, ammonium sulphate products, and specialty products like TastySilage and Calcifert lime/sulphur. The company operates manufacturing and blending facilities at Immingham, Newport, and Ipswich, supported by an in-house transport fleet and provides technical services including carbon footprint calculation (with ADAS) and spreader calibration support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Diamond Fertilisers: Manufacturer brand of fertilisers including compounds, straights, and blends. Operates state of the art blending plant with precision measurement technology.

Products and services

• megAN 33.5%N Granular Ammonium Nitrate
• PULAN 34.4%N Ammonium Nitrate
• LITHAN 34.4%N Ammonium Nitrate
• POLY4 Multi-Nutrient Fertiliser
• TastySilage Premium Silage Additive
• Urea with Limus (N-Shield)
• Ammonium Sulphate Range
• 27N 12SO3 Nitrogen Sulphur Compound
• 10.15.21 + 17.5SO3 Compound
• 27.6.6 + 7SO3 Compound
• Diamond Fertilisers MOP (Muriate of Potash)
• SUPA KIESERITE (27MgO 50SO3)
• Calcifert Lime
• Calcifert Sulphur
• Diamond Fertilisers NPK Blends
• 20.10.10 NPK Blend
• Fertiliser Delivery Service
• Spreader Settings and Calibration Service
• Carbon Calculator (with ADAS)

Quantifiable outcome

• megAN spreads up to 50 metres with correct settings
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Anglo American Crop Nutrients (POLY4)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025New partnership bringing POLY4 multi-nutrient fertiliser to UK farmers. POLY4 is derived from natural polyhalite mineral delivering potassium, sulphur, magnesium and calcium. Anglo American is a leading mining company committed to sustainable agricultural solutions.
• ABP (Associated British Ports)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ABP hosts Thomas Bell operations at Immingham Bulk Park and Ipswich facilities. Partnership provides strategic port locations for fertiliser import, storage and distribution operations.
• Grupa AzotycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrupa Azoty is the manufacturer of Pulan 34.4%N Ammonium Nitrate and megAN 33.5%N Granular Ammonium Nitrate. Thomas Bell is the main UK supplier of PULAN and distributes megAN. Grupa Azoty is the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in the EU.
• AchemacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAchema is the manufacturer of Lithan 34.4%N Ammonium Nitrate, a trusted and reliable product valued by UK farmers. Lithan is manufactured in Lithuania.
• BASFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASF provides Limus urease inhibitor technology for protecting urea fertilisers. Limus reduces ammonia emissions by up to 98% and improves nitrogen use efficiency. BASF has chosen partners to source reliable and high-quality urea, with Limus applied prior to bagging.
• ADAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADAS partnered with Thomas Bell to develop a carbon footprint calculator following 'cradle to farm gate' methodology. ADAS built and verified the calculator providing transparent carbon footprint data for each fertiliser purchase.
• LKAB MineralsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLKAB Minerals manufactures Calcifert products including granulated lime and sulphur. Thomas Bell visited LKAB production facilities to understand product benefits for UK farmers.
• SCS Spreader and Sprayer Testing LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThomas Bell commissions SCS for spreader field trials to determine spreader settings for their fertilisers. SCS provides independent testing and calibration recommendations.
• Fram FarmersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFram Farmers hosts events where Thomas Bell showcases products including POLY4, Limus and megAN. Thomas Bell attends Fram Farmers trial days.
• AF GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAF Group teamed up with Limagrain to host Seed Trials Day where Thomas Bell showcased fertiliser range and engaged with members.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Yara UK: UK arm of Yara International, the world's largest nitrogen fertiliser producer. Overlaps with Thomas Bell across ammonium nitrate, urea and compound fertilisers sold to UK farmers and distributors, but operates at much larger scale and as part of a global portfolio.
• Agrii: UK agronomy services and inputs supplier offering fertiliser alongside seed, crop protection and digital agronomy. Comparable customer base to Thomas Bell, but with a wider service-led offering rather than a fertiliser-import focus.
• Mole Valley Farmers: UK farmer-owned co-operative supplying fertiliser, feed, fuel and other farm inputs. Comparable in serving UK farmers with multi-category inputs, but operates a co-op member model rather than independent import.
• ICL Group: Global specialty fertiliser and minerals producer offering compound and speciality fertilisers. Comparable on speciality multi-nutrient fertilisers (e.g., POLY4-competitive products), though ICL operates internationally and at much larger scale.
• Frontier Agriculture: One of the UK's largest crop production and grain marketing businesses, supplying fertiliser alongside seed and crop protection. Overlaps with Thomas Bell on fertiliser distribution but operates across a broader agronomy portfolio.
• Hutchinsons: UK agronomy group supplying fertiliser, seed and crop protection through a network of agronomists. Comparable distribution to Thomas Bell but emphasises advisory services rather than own-brand blending.

Direct peers

• Wynnstay Group: Welsh-headquartered agricultural supply business distributing fertiliser, feed and seed to UK farmers and merchants. Comparable to Thomas Bell in serving arable/livestock farmers with a multi-product agronomy-led proposition.
• Origin Fertilisers: UK-based fertiliser blender and supplier producing bespoke NPK blends and straights for farmers and merchants. Directly comparable to Thomas Bell's Diamond Fertilisers blending operations and arable/grassland customer base.

Others

• Grupa Azoty: Polish chemical group and the second-largest nitrogen fertiliser producer in the EU. Thomas Bell's primary supplier for PULAN and megAN, making it both a key commercial partner and an indirect competitive benchmark for imported nitrogen economics.

Regional players

• Bartholomews Agri Food: South of England-focused agricultural merchant supplying fertiliser, seed and crop protection to arable farmers. Comparable product set to Thomas Bell but with a more regional, merchant-led distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ThomasbellFert
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thomasbellfertiliser
• Facebookfacebook.com/Thomasbellfertiliser
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thomas-bell-fertiliser-importers
• Instagraminstagram.com/thomasbellfertiliser

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thomas Bell Fertiliser Importers