OUR MISSION
To design and manufacture practical, innovative solutions that help our customers improve efficiency, protect quality and work more sustainably.
At Martin Lishman Ltd, we combine technology, engineering and real-world experience to create reliable products that deliver measurable benefits across agriculture and amenity management.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Founded in 1975 by Martin Lishman and based in Bourne, Lincolnshire, we develop practical, innovative solutions designed to improve efficiency, protect crop quality and support more sustainable farming practices. The business was led by Gavin and Carol Lishman until 2023 and is now managed by Joel and Emilia Capper, continuing the company’s strong family-run values and commitment to innovation.
Our products are trusted in more than 50 countries worldwide and include grain conditioning systems, crop monitoring technology, potato quality equipment and premium compact sprayers.
With over 50 years of experience, we continue to combine British manufacturing, technical expertise and customer-focused support to deliver reliable solutions for the agricultural and amenity industries.
TIMELINE
Regarded by many as a true innovator, Martin Lishman worked closely with farmers to solve the everyday challenges they faced. Following the development of the pioneering Pile-Dry Pedestal vertical cooling system, the company was officially established in 1975.
Built using a pocket PC, the very first crop storage monitoring and control system was born, laying the foundations for the smart storage technology we know today
For the first time ever, growers and producers could identify damage-causing areas within handling machinery. Using a record stylus as the shock sensor, operators listened for changes in tone through headphones to pinpoint potential problem areas.
Introduced as an add-on for larger sprayers, Headland Control enabled safer and more precise chemical application near watercourses and conservation headlands. This innovation marked the beginning of the Martin Lishman sprayer range we know today.
It was finally time to move operations out of Martin Lishman’s garage and into a dedicated facility. The former TV repair centre in Bourne became the company’s new home and remains the headquarters today.
Martin Lishman became the exclusive distributor for Protimeter products, strengthening its position in the moisture meter market. Around the same time, the Grainmaster i was launched and quickly became the UK’s best-selling moisture meter, recognised for its exceptional repeatable accuracy
While several temperature monitoring systems existed on the market, the MiniTemp monitor became a staple product thanks to its reliable, cost-effective approach to grain temperature monitoring.
As the smartphone era began, Martin Lishman embraced the technology. The first wireless TuberLog used Bluetooth to transmit impact and temperature data directly to a smartphone or tablet in real time.
FloorVent pedestals revolutionised grain conditioning. By using underfloor ducts to remove warm, moist air directly from the building, the system improved cooling efficiency while allowing stores to remain fully multi-purpose.
Barn Owl Wireless, the world’s first remote grain storage monitoring and control system, was launched. Farmers and storage operators could now manage grain stores remotely, reducing labour and energy costs while improving crop quality and on-farm safety.
The Micro-Spray was developed to fill a gap in the amenity industry, following demand for a sprayer capable of treating delicate surfaces without causing damage. Its success quickly grew among premier sports clubs worldwide, where it became highly regarded as one of the best sprayers for specialist turf applications.
The MiniTemp Blue was introduced as the next evolution of the MiniTemp range. Featuring onboard memory and smartphone connectivity, users could now log an entire season’s worth of data and monitor readings remotely without climbing grain heaps.
Alongside the launch of the Grainmaster i2-S, farmers could finally move away from scrap paper notes thanks to a dedicated app designed to manage fields, stores and moisture readings digitally.
In 2023, Joel and Emilia Capper took over the operations of Martin Lishman, leading the company into its next chapter of innovation and growth.
Another gap in the market was identified with the launch of the Nano-Spray, offering a practical alternative to knapsack sprayers and traditional pedestrian sprayers.
Martin Lishman proudly celebrated 50 years of business, marking five decades of innovation, problem-solving and supporting farmers worldwide.
After years of development and driven by customer feedback, the new Barn Owl Wireless web app took the system to the next level, introducing a completely redesigned user interface and a powerful suite of advanced monitoring and control features.
Our Team
The team at Martin Lishman Ltd combines decades of experience across agriculture, engineering and amenity management.
JOEL CAPPER
Managing Director
EMILIA CAPPER
Director
RICHARD JAGGER
Operations Manager
MATT SWINN
Marketing Manager
JAMIE BOOTH
Marketing Assistant
RICHARD HYDE
Sales Manager (North)
KRISTIAN NORDKVELLE
Sales Manager (South)
KAREN WILMOT
Sales Administrator
ADAM REEVE
UK & Export Sales Administrator
JAMIE HARDY
Barn Owl Wireless Service Technician