Levington Research Station

The Levington Research Station is a fertiliser research institute in Suffolk.

Levington Research Station[1]
Site in April 2009
Levington Research Station is located in Suffolk
Levington Research Station
Location within Suffolk
Former namesFisons Research Station
General information
TypeHorticultural Research Centre
AddressLevington, Suffolk, IP10 0NE
Coordinates52°00′43″N 1°15′43″E / 52.012°N 1.262°E / 52.012; 1.262
Elevation20 m (66 ft)
Construction started1956
Completed1957
Inaugurated1957
ClientFisons
Dimensions
Other dimensions7.5 hectares
Technical details
Floor count4

History

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Fisons

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It was opened by Fisons in 1957.[2] It received a Civic Trust Award in 1959.[3] Fisons sold the property in 1981.

Around three hundred people worked at the site and it was one of Europe's largest research institutes in the field of fertiliser.

Ownership

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On 1 January 1960, Fisons Horticulture and Fisons Fertilisers were formed. The research site worked with both.[4]

The horticultural division of Fisons was sold off for £25.4m in a management buy out in 1994 known as Levington Horticulture; the division had around 280 people and around 26% of the UK market, turning over £47m. [5] In 1997 this division was sold on again to the present ownership.

Fertiliser

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The research site developed the first specialist sports turf fertiliser; typical agricultural fertiliser was too concentrated: this is now found at all main golf courses across Europe under the Greensmaster brand. Levington Horticulture also made Turfclear herbicide, and had a Royal Warrant.

Compost

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The site is known for developing Levington Compost in the 1960s. The compost was made in South Yorkshire and the fertiliser was made at Bramford, west of Ipswich, next to the Great Eastern Main Line.

Levington Multi-Purpose Compost (when owned by Fisons) had a 1984 television advert featuring Jack and the Beanstalk.

Visits

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On Tuesday 1 May 1956, the site was visited by the Duke of Edinburgh.[6]

Structure

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It is in the Suffolk Coastal district of Suffolk.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ New Scientist. Reed Business Information. 1959. p. 1153. ISSN 0262-4079. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  2. ^ "Fisons Fertilizers Limited - Levington Research Station Handbooks". The National Archives. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  3. ^ "Levington Research Station". Civic Trust Awards. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  4. ^ Times Monday January 4 1960, page 9
  5. ^ Times Wednesday 6 July 1994, page 23
  6. ^ Times Wednesday 2 May 1956, page 12
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