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Mole Valley Farmers acquires CWG Farming & Country Supplies

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Mole Valley Farmers commitment and investment in farming and the rural sector has been reinforced by the acquisition of the retail business of CWG Ltd.  The newly acquired business will trade as CWG Countrystores Ltd

Owned by 6,000 Farmer Shareholders and an annual turnover of £257m, Mole Valley Farmers operates on a cooperative business model, with the business ethos focused on creating a competitive environment for farm inputs to prevent other supply companies profiteering at the expense of farmers.  

The acquisition of CWG on June 30th 2010, a supply cooperative with 6,000 members, is a natural development for Mole Valley Farmers with its 9 retail branches in the South West and subsidiary company SCATS Countrystores with 19 stores across the South and South East of England.    Later this year MVF will open two new SCATS retail stores in Bristol and Bridgend.

CWG Ltd was set up in 1929 by a group of Lincolnshire farmers to grade and market their wool, later diversifying into retail with its first store in 1962.  Since then CWG has grown to an annual turnover of £19m, with 150 employees, 11 retail stores including a wool grading department and equestrian club in East Anglia and the Midlands.  However the business has been challenged in recent years by trading issues.

Andrew Jackson, Chief Executive Mole Valley Farmers, believes CWG customers and members will benefit from the MVF commitment and investment in the business.

‘This is a logical extension to our current trading boundary and provides Mole Valley Farmers with an exciting opportunity to provide competitively priced products and high standards of service to a wider base of farmers and rural customers,’ he confirmed.

Mole Valley Farmers intend to retain the CWG name and build on the heritage of the company, enhance the product and service offering, as well as introduce a greater competitive advantage to farmers and rural customers

‘The cooperative has lacked continuity and investment.  Some of the commercial issues in recent years have created uncertainty for customers and staff.   Our aim over the coming months will be to evaluate the necessary investment so the business can trade with more confidence and bring our product range, knowledge and commitment to the brand,’ he said.

He added, ‘We do not intend at this stage to close any stores and will be looking at re-investment options as well as opportunities to acquire new premises in the future.  We plan to rebuild the business as a progressive, value for money farm and rural brand with a loyal membership and strong customer base.’

This year Mole Valley Farmers celebrates its 50th year since the foundation of the company in 1960 by a small group of pioneering farmers in the South Molton area,  who decided to collaborate together to bring cost benefits to its members through the principle of a farmer’s cooperative.  Five decades later the same ethos remains as true today as then with the company farmer owned through its 6,000 farmer shareholders and a Board of Directors all of whom are active farmers.   

For more information visit www.molevalleyfarmers.com                                             Ends

Note to editors

Mole Valley Farmers was started in 1960 by a small group of farmers in South Molton, Devon. Today, there are 6,000 farmer shareholders and 22,000 country members.  It is one of the largest employers in the South West, with a turnover of £257 million and more than 1,300 staff. Mole Valley Farmers is one of the few businesses based on a co-operative model in the supply industry, with a total commitment to the farming and rural industry.  Over the years, the company has developed and grown, making investments in:

  • Nine retail branches in the South West
  • Mole Valley Farmers Online 
  • 4 compound feed mills for all animal feeds
  • A network of 7 blending operations
  • A specialist feed minerals plant
  • A quality farm building division
  • 19 SCATS Countrystores across the South and South East England
  • Local agricultural supplies company D & I Bridgman and Son Ltd
  • A joint venture – Mole Valley Forage Services - supplying conventional and technically advanced soil nutrition products and advice 

CWG Countrystores Ltd has 11 stores at Stamford, Dereham, Bury St Edmonds, Colchester, Towcester, Melton Mowbray, Fauld, Newark, Darley Dale, Worksop and Market Rasen

For further information please contact Jilly Greed or Hannah Overton 01392 278801 email

promotion@onevoicemedia.co.uk                                                        Release date:  28.7.10

Tags:

farming Mole Valley Farmers CWG Ltd CWG Countrystores Ltd rural sector

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