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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 Wrapping, 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.
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WHAT
IS A MACHINERY RING?
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.
WHO SHOULD
JOIN A MACHINERY RING?
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.
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