Caithness Machinery Ring Limited is a non profit making member owned Co-operative. Formed in 1989, its primary objective is to encourage more efficient use of agricultural equipment and labour between its members. Our ring operates with & for members in Caithness and Sutherland. As well as offering surplus supplies and hire of equipment & labour, members can offer services such as Baling, Bale Wra
pping, Combining, Cultivation, Draining, Drilling, Dung spreading, Dyking – Dry Stone/Flag, Fencing, Fertiliser spreading, Grain Drying, Grass Topping, Hedge Cutting, Landscaping, Lime Spreading, Ploughing, Rolling, Seeding, Self Drive Hire, Sowing – 1 Pass, Silage Making, Sheep shearing, Slurry spreading, Sub Soiling, Training, Vermin Control, Woodland Maintenance, and many more. A machinery Ring is a management co-operative whose members seek to rationalise their machinery and labour levels by doing work for and/or having work done for them by other members. The Ring has a Co-ordinator to match up demands for work with suppliers, and to process payments for all transactions using a Direct Debit/Credit transfer system. Machinery Rings have been operating in Europe for over 40 years. Any individual or business that can provide a service (equipment or labour) or may require a service at any time in the future. Membership is not confined to farmers and contractor. Self employed tradesmen will be welcome. WANT TO KNOW MORE? The Ring Co-ordinator is available for personal visits to answer questions. Should you wish to join; the Co-ordinator will assist with the completion of questionnaires that identify your machinery and you requirements. WHAT SAY HAS A MEMBER (DEMANDER) IN WORKS LOCATION? The member (demander) when asking for a service, can state who they would like to do the job. This member will then be given the first chance of doing it. The demander can also state who they don't want! Beyond this, the work is allocated at the Co-ordinator's discretion from the central pool of information at the Ring Office. WHAT CONTROL DOES A MEMBER (SUPPLIER) HAVE OVER THE USE OF HIS/HER MACHINE? Every member when registering his/her machine with the Ring states how that machine can be used through the Ring (owner driver only or on self drive basis as well.) Ownership of equipment stays with the supplying member. HOW DOES A MACHINERY RING OPERATE? On receipt of a request, the Co-ordinator arranges a suitable supplier who then proceeds to carry out the job or service, or supply the goods. The Ring remains available to help sort out any unseen problems. On completion of the job, a work schedule book is signed by both parties. Each retains a copy and the original is sent to the Ring Office. An invoice is raised to the demander for the work done and a self billing invoice to the supplier. Three weeks later the Bank is authorised to debit the demander's account. Once this has been cleared the supplier is credited for the appropriate amount. HOW IS THE RING FUNDED? The Machinery Ring covers its cost in two ways. Every member pays an annual subscription, currently £75 + VAT, and each member is required to purchase 25 x £1 shares to become a shareholding member of the Machinery Ring. There is also a levy on each transaction which is deducted from both supplier and demander. The levy is currently 2% from both parties - minimum levy £5. WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES THE RING OFFER?
1. Members make only one telephone call to arrange supplier.
2. Members can request a specific supplier.
3. Existing supplier/demander ties can continue in the Ring.
4. The Ring arranges all invoicing.
5. Suppliers are paid within 28 days of job completion.
6. The Ring co-ordinator is available to help sort any problems.
7. The Ring can help to identify new machinery requirements.
8. The Ring can act an exchange for information and advice. CAN'T WAIT TO JOIN? Send your application form to the Ring Co-ordinator at the above postal or e-mail address. The Caithness Machinery Ring can provide just about anything and everything that any Farm, Croft or Small Business might want or need! So Just "Ring the Ring" on 01955 608865 or 07468415953, and we will tell you how we can help!
