A group of smaller co-operatives has stepped up its efforts to compete for farmer business on inputs.

The Associated Trading Co-op (ATC) group is a purchasing group of some 19 co-operatives and it is ramping up efforts to gain a larger foothold in the agri inputs market. ATC operates the Co-op Source brand on a range of products.

In recent weeks, ATC has appointed a person to head up the business. John Heaphey from Leamlara, Co Cork, was appointed as general manager of ATC and will co-ordinate the new drive. Heaphey is an accountant by qualification and has previously worked in procurement.

While rumours locally suggest that the move is to compete with larger co-ops like Dairygold and Glanbia on inputs, sources close to ATC suggest that the appointment of Heaphey is not about competition, but rather about “bringing ATC to another level”.

ATC is a collection of approximately 19 co-ops, including Arrabawn, Lisavaird, Lee Strand, Barryroe, North Cork and others. It trades inputs such as grass seed, polythene and animal medicine, and has been in operation for the past 18. Questions had been raised in recent times about the need for ATC, but clearly the decision has been made to ramp up activity in the group. The group’s secretary is Sean Myers. According to ICOS accounts for 2013, ATC had total purchases “in excess” of €28m.