A STEEP LEARNING CURVE FOR JMT SERVICES
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James Taylor of Leicestershirebased JMT Services has achieved an impressive amount in just three short years.
At only 21 years old, James launched his own business in 2021. Since then, he has built up a steadily growing client base from his location near Melton Mowbray and even constructed his very own tracked post knocker machine. “I’ve always been interested in this kind of work,” James explained. “My dad is an agricultural contractor, so I’ve been around this industry from a very young age but it’s been a steep learning curve. You’re always picking up new skills along the way.”
JMT Services handles all types of fencing including agricultural, equestrian and garden fencing. “I actually got into it through doing a lot of digger work to start with but fencing has always been something I enjoy.
“I quickly realised there was no point getting into the trade with poor-quality equipment so I worked hard using the digger to save up for my own fencing gear. During the first year, I used my dad’s tractor and knocker but constantly climbing in and out of the cab all day drove me mad!” James relies on several trusted suppliers. “My main one is David Musson Fencing, who are just 15 minutes up the road in Old Dalby and have been incredibly supportive along the way. I also use Calders and Grandidge in Boston, Lincolnshire and occasionally Melton Building Supplies. I usually buy tools online from RGH Supplies and kwazar. co.uk and for power tools, I often use ITS.co.uk, though it depends on pricing.” For machinery, James started with a Wacker Neuson 28z3, a 2.7- ton mini digger. “That was my first machine but over last winter, I built my own tracked post knocker. I bought a Wrag knocker last summer but I was so busy with work that I only had evenings and rainy days to build it. The tracked base is a Messersi I bought from Cautrac. “Designing and assembling the knocker was no easy task. Figuring out how I wanted it to look and function was a real challenge. It really tested both mine and my dad’s engineering skills.”
In 2024, James was kept busy doing digger work five days a week on a 16-home development site, while still managing fencing jobs during evenings and weekends. “By last summer, I finished on the building site because the family farm needed me on the tractor and my own jobs were taking off again.” So far, 2025 is shaping up to be another strong year. “We’ve got a constant flow of work, from big jobs to smaller ones—and, thankfully, some great weather to go with it!” James still enjoys groundworks. It is where he started but fencing remains a passion. “There’s nothing like seeing a fencing job completed to a high standard. Agricultural fencing is probably my favourite because I get to work in some truly beautiful locations. I always remind myself, ‘Do it once, and do it right.’ With the professional tie-offs and attention to detail, it can really look like a piece of art.” He also believes that variety is the key to a healthy business. “When one type of job slows down, another usually picks up,” he noted. James promotes and markets JMT Services through Facebook and Instagram and has plans to launch a website soon. “A lot of our work comes through word of mouth and family friends, which I think is the best kind of advertising. It means people know you do a good job!”
A major milestone for James was completing his custom-built tracked knocker. “After finishing that, I felt like I could build just about anything. It gave me a huge confidence boost. “You really can’t beat doing something you love,” he concluded.
JMT Services 07312117029
