Ringlink turnover climbs

Ringlink (Scotland) Ltd, the UK’s largest farm labour and machinery sharing co-operative together with its subsidiary company Ringlink Services, has again bucked the recessionary trend by reporting a massive 28 per cent increase in throughput.

The combined turnover in the year ended 31 July rose to £37.9 million. Net profits for the member-owned organisation rose 59 per cent, with chairman Mark Ogg saying this will enable structured investment within the business.

Turnover was boosted by a large increase in the value and volume of commodities traded by the co-operative, but labour demand continues to be a major part of the business and has seen a 21 per cent increase in the year. More businesses are now reluctant to take on the commitment of employing permanent full-time workers, preferring to use Ringlink to supply their labour as and when required. Ogg said he expected further expansion in this sector.

In his chairman’s message to Ringlink’s 2,600 members who run businesses from the Moray Firth down to the Tay, Ogg said this tight control on management costs had helped keep annual subscriptions at the same level as they were some 18 years ago.

Managing director Graham Bruce, who has been at the helm of the Laurencekirk-based organization since its beginnings 23 years ago, pointed to several initiatives the co-op had taken in the past year to support its membership.

Malting barley contracts available on a member-to-member basis have proved very successful in their first harvest and is a service with great potential.

Another avenue being opened up for members is in woodland management. In a pilot project with the Forestry Commission Ringlink is looking at ways of improving the value of on-farm woodlands.

Training under subsidiary Ringlink Services has continued to grow.