A NORTH Yorkshire animal feed producer has overhauled its telecommunications systems to help staff and customers in rural areas.

Hovingham-based Ian Mosey Feeds not only manufactures and supplies animal feed throughout the north of England, but also operates 100 pig farms across the region.

As a result, staff and customers are often in remote rural locations where mobile telephone coverage can be limited. In a move to improve communication between staff and customer service, the company is investing in new smartphone technology following a review of its telecommunications by Wakefield-based NGC Networks.

Ian Mosey Feeds director Becky Milne said: “We’ve increased the number of staff using basic handsets and smartphones from 14 to 25 to improve the way we operate but at the same time, with NGC’s help, we have a better tariff so our line rentals have not increased significantly.

“It’s hugely important for our staff who are out on the road, which include feed wagon drivers, livestock drivers and stockmen, all of whom need to have good two-way communication with each other and with our central office.”

The smartphones enable the livestock drivers and stockmen to clock in and out remotely, ensuring they are on the road for no more than the permitted driving hours.