R. & L. Holt Tomatoes

R&L Holt is a family-run tomato growing business based out the outskirts of Evesham in Worcestershire. The family has been growing tomatoes commercially since the early 1980s. They currently have three nurseries in the local area.

One of the biggest challenges the business faces is recruiting migrant labour to support the year-round crop work. Historically, many employees have joined the team from countries such as Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland and Romania.

But with the media focus on Brexit and a perception of poor working conditions facing migrant workers coming to the UK, the family needed a creative way to tell the true story. Step forward Pictures55.

We worked with the R&L Holt team to shoot a video that is being used as a real-life recruitment tool. The film includes interviews with workers from different backgrounds and the owners themselves. It shows that high-quality housing where employees stay on site and highlights the lively community spirit that is central to the company’s family feel.

Staff and employees have formed a football team called Sideshoots FC that plays in a local league. There is also a strong commitment to support other local community events.

The video is being used by recruitment agencies to help paint a picture of life at R&L Holt. We also created a snappy series of audio soundbites that can be used on social media.

Take a look at the video. Could we add a creative spark to your story? Talk to us.