Smaller supplier operations

SimonD

Member
Location
Dorset
Is this the time for the smaller supplier, service provider to make a difference to your farm?

I seem to be getting a better, more competitive service from the one man operations than from larger businesses. This is across differing areas in agriculture and I'm starting to think that the lower overheads these operations have allow them to be more competitive. Is anyone else finding this?
 

rjs15t

Member
Location
Newquay
Is this the time for the smaller supplier, service provider to make a difference to your farm?

I seem to be getting a better, more competitive service from the one man operations than from larger businesses. This is across differing areas in agriculture and I'm starting to think that the lower overheads these operations have allow them to be more competitive. Is anyone else finding this?
Totally agree, currently able to supply grass seed mixes to match those sold by the large so called co-op but at least 10% cheaper
 

GTB

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
Yes totally agree. I buy most of my animal health supplies from a local independent and he's very competitive. Also buy machinery from a one man band whenever I can. Wynnstay and Riverlea tractors are two examples of previously good companies that have just got too big to be efficient IMHO.
 

David.

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
J11 M40
We are trying, where possible to support the small man.
Fear that it is only delaying the inevitable, not many seem to be prepared to pay even a few pennies more for good service.
 

MickMoor

Member
Location
Bonsall, UK
Is this the time for the smaller supplier, service provider to make a difference to your farm?

I seem to be getting a better, more competitive service from the one man operations than from larger businesses. This is across differing areas in agriculture and I'm starting to think that the lower overheads these operations have allow them to be more competitive. Is anyone else finding this?

Hope so!
 

Great In Grass

Member
Location
Cornwall.
We retail other products apart from seed but with grass mixtures in particular a bespoke mix is being frequently asked for. It's nothing for me to formulate and price a mix while talking to the customer on the phone by doing this you can explain the reasons for the inclusion of the varieties and give the customer peace of mind. If it's early enough in the day the seed could well be on farm next day.
 

rjs15t

Member
Location
Newquay
Don't just sell seed either ;)
 

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Derrick Hughes

Member
Location
Ceredigion
no future for small suppliers , the big few are determined to wipe them out, crazy when your massive suppliers with their massive buying power cant compete on price with a tadpole but there you go, says it all,
 

GTB

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
no future for small suppliers , the big few are determined to wipe them out, crazy when your massive suppliers with their massive buying power cant compete on price with a tadpole but there you go, says it all,
I don't agree. I think we'll see some big companies go pop before long. Their overheads are too high and they have lost the personal touch. I try to support smaller firms whenever possible though I must say CCF staff are very good tbf.
 
I don't agree. I think we'll see some big companies go pop before long. Their overheads are too high and they have lost the personal touch. I try to support smaller firms whenever possible though I must say CCF staff are very good tbf.
I'm with you, mate of mine grows and dresses barley and the big suppliers can't touch him on price. He started doing agronomy now and I think doing well at that.
No salesman to pay, but I think he gets fed up o the phone.
 

Great In Grass

Member
Location
Cornwall.
I can't agree with there being no future for small suppliers, as the "big boys" get bigger and lessen the competition by acquisitions my business has grown.
 
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no future for small suppliers , the big few are determined to wipe them out, crazy when your massive suppliers with their massive buying power cant compete on price with a tadpole but there you go, says it all,
I see a parallel here with the dairy industry, the big just getting bigger but when times get hard sometimes being small is better.
I said only the other day on another topic, in these hard times I'm re evaluating who I do business with and I'm favouring the small business that gives good service/support as these are the guys I want to see survive. If the big boys take over I don't think they'll have my best interests at heart.
 

Derrick Hughes

Member
Location
Ceredigion
I don't agree. I think we'll see some big companies go pop before long. Their overheads are too high and they have lost the personal touch. I try to support smaller firms whenever possible though I must say CCF staff are very good tbf.
thats fine but in the meantime they will do everything to cut off the small mans supply
 

rjs15t

Member
Location
Newquay
Stock holding is the problem, the big boys hold too much and the online sales people often hold none, which whilst being efficient doesn't help if the customer runs out.

I keep a small range in stock for my contracting business which then compliments the local sales.

The delivery firms are the likely winners from small firms selling small quantities online.
 

4course

Member
Location
north yorks
small suppliers like corner shops suffer from the pile it high sell it cheap syndrome once closed the big supplier then reverts to ive only got this product but its no longer cheap and we as private or business consumers are letting it happen, it then becomes increasingly difficult for the small supplier to get access to product at a competitive wholesale price due to so called marketing agreements, the big boys then create a mini monopoly next of course they extend some form of buy it back contract and before you know where you are you might as well go work for them ,in a lot of cases its happened already in ag but folks dont seem to be able to see it, I for one will go down fighting to maintain my independence, said before ive yet to have any contract marketing deal offered to me which is in my favour long term
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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