Our Work
We aim to increase participation in co-ops and joint venture enterprise by working to create better understanding of how co-operation contributes to market competitiveness, cost control and profitability. We assist our member businesses to innovate and grow, and we facilitate new start co-ops and joint ventures. We have strong relationships with others who provide advice to farmers, to ensure that the potential contribution of co-operation and joint venture is thoroughly evaluated, and new opportunities for co-operation are identified and developed.
Some recent examples of our work to promote and develop co-operation include the following:
- Research for an established grain storage and marketing group into farm storage facilities and constraints in its trading area, leading to new business strategy
- Feasibility research for construction of a small abattoir for joint venture group
- Strategy development for future pig marketing in Scotland
- Feasibility study for potato processing investment
- Advice on capital structures for a dairy co-op
- 'Member loyalty' and management development in a rural business ring
- Ownership and capital structure for a branded meat marketing group
- Feasibility and Market research for a prospective new start organic egg marketing group
- Evaluation for an enterprise agency of potential for commercial production of bog myrtle
- In partnership with SAC, delivery over two winters of 40 Profit Without Subsidy workshops. See www.profitwithoutsubsidy.co.uk