Welcome to Bedmax
Bedmax began life on a family farm on the coast opposite Holy Island in north Northumberland in 2000.
We began producing Bedmax initially for the racing industry, in response to the growing understanding that bedding was often the worst source of airborne dust and spores that can do so much damage to horses in stables.
In our research we also discovered that many other areas of equine health and welfare can be affected by bedding.
Today we have three production plants making over two million bags a year for thousands of loyal customers in the UK and our growing export markets.
Our vision is to offer horse owners a bedding of the highest quality, performance and value, that helps meet all the health and welfare issues in the stable.
Our Success
The success of Bedmax Shavings is due to the fact that the vast majority of owners share the same absolute commitment to the health and well-being of their horses, and recognise the value of a top-quality, dust-free bedding they can trust.
Bedmax Company Timeline
Follow the journey that began over twenty years ago…
Haymax developed at Greymare Farm
Tim Smalley develops HAYMAX at Greymare Farm – pioneering, dust-free, controlled-protein haylage for horses for the UK racing industry.
Bedding research begins
Research begins into the best material, specification and production process for a dust-free bedding to match HAYMAX.
Production begins
Production of Bedmax large flake dust-free pine shavings begins at Greymare in a purpose built plant.
International
The first shipment of Bedmax arrives at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong.
Second plant built
Our second purpose-built Bedmax plant begins production at Caunton in Nottinghamshire.
Export to Europe
Sales begin in France, following in Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
Bedmax at Badminton
Bedmax is the official choice of bedding at Badminton Horse Trials for the first time. It still is.
Festival of British Eventing
Bedmax provide bedding at The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, and remains the bedding choice today.
Bedmax lorry
Corgi produce a Bedmax lorry!
Bedmax at Burghley
Bedmax is chosen as the official bedding for the horses at Burghley International Horse Trials, and still is today.
Royal Warrant
Bedmax is granted a Royal Warrant by appointment to Her Majesty The Queen.
Patchington plant opens
Our third Bedmax production plant opens at Patchington in Hampshire.
Launch of Hotmax fuel logs
Launch of Hotmax, our 100% natural high heat fuel logs made from the dust we extract from our shavings.
10 million bags
Total production passes the 10 million bag milestone.
Littlemax arrives
Littlemax fine shavings begin production.
Best selling brand in the UK
BETA & Horse & Hound Surveys identify Bedmax as the bestselling brand of equine bedding in the UK.
Export Award
Bedmax wins the UKTI Award for Export, recognising our growing sales in Europe and the Far East.
1.2 million bags
Production of Bedmax and Littlemax shavings exceeds 1.2 million bags in the last 12 months.
Launch of Stockmax Pine Shavings
Our 100% pine, naturally antibacterial shavings are winning high praise from farmers using them instead of straw at lambing time, and from game chick rearers and poultry keepers – the ideal hygienic bedding for any young or kennelled animals.
Launch of Bedmax Young Scholar of the Year
Bedmax offers an outstanding Young Rider a year’s support to join our mission to promote the better bedding message, and boost their own progress in their own equestrian field of Eventing, Dressage or Showumping.
Royal Warrant
Bedmax is re-awarded the Queen’s Royal Warrant.
£750K Investment
£750k invested in production plant and systems to improve and develop the quality of our products.
Launch of online training resource with British Grooms Association
Bedmax collaborates with the British Groom’s Association to develop online training that offers bedding and stable management best practice aimed at raising greater understanding of the key part this plays in equine health and welfare.
Bedmax granted a Royal Warrant by appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales
Adding the Royal Warrant from The Prince of Wales to the Queen’s Royal Warrant we first received in 2008 makes Bedmax one of the very few companies in the British equestrian sector to hold two of these coveted honours.
Bedmax confirmed in BETA survey as strongest brand of bedding
Ever since 2011, the British Equestrian Trade Association’s four-yearly National Equine Survey has confirmed that Bedmax is the best selling brand of purpose made bedding, winning the trust of a steadily growing share of the UK’s horse owners.
Bedmax awarded the 2020 BETA Export Award
Recognition from UK’s Equestrian Trade Association for outstanding export growth that has now taken a proudly British equestrian product to customers across Europe, the Middle East, Hong Kong and mainland China, Thailand and, most recently, Australia.
Bedmax awarded Northumberland and Tyneside Manufacturer of the Year Award
We were delighted to receive this regional award for a three-year programme of ‘Operational Excellence’ improvements that have dramatically improved the productivity and efficiency of all three Bedmax factories in Northumberland, Nottinghamshire and Hampshire.
Twenty years...
Bedmax marks twenty years since production started.
Launch of Retailer of the Year Award
To celebrate our 20th anniversary and acknowledge the crucial part our loyal supplier customers have played in our success story, we launch our inaugural, national Bedmax Retailer of the Year Awards.
Strawmax is launched
Bedmax launches Strawmax, a high quality straw pellet bedding manufactured in a dedicated production plant in Northumberland.
Bedmax accredited by BETA NOPS Code for Equine Bedding
The scheme was launched by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) in January 2020 to minimise the risk of contamination by naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS) in equine bedding products.
Hotmax wins sustainability award
Hotmax given the 2021 Sustainability Award at the Farm Innovation Show.
Second Strawmax plant opened
A second production plant for Strawmax is opened at Andover in Hampshire.
Award Winning
Bedmax founder and MD Tim Smalley awarded the BETA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Market share increases to 32%
Bedmax described, as “Dominating” the large flake shavings market with a market share of 32% in the 2023 British Equine Trade Association’s four-yearly survey.
Bedmax Bedding Products
Bedmax bedding products are purpose made to provide an ideal bedding for horses and ponies. They are made at three dedicated production plants in the UK, from fresh timber sourced from renewable UK forestry. Bedmax bedding has been developed to offer owners a natural bedding that helps address the issues that threaten the health and welfare of horses in stables.
Bedmax
Our large flake dust extracted pine shavings
Littlemax
All the benefits of Bedmax in a lighter form
Strawmax
A healthy, absorbent and economical bedding option
Stockmax
The ideal bedding for many other animals, large and small
Hotmax
The sustainable alternative to logs for winter and summer