“This business has almost half a century of history, it goes back to 1977,” says Nigel Whyte, CEO of Feirm Co-op.
“A lot of hard work has been put into the business over the years by our various boards and our staff,” he added.
“We’ve come to a point now where we decided that we would unify all the various businesses within the group under one single brand.”
The amazing thing is that the Feirm Co-op title has not been used before now. It seems such an obvious choice for a farmer-facing, farmer owned business.
Feirm Co-op, based in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, was previously the Solutions Group, having begun life as Wexford Farm Relief Services. Whyte said the co-op has always been ambitious, and this has not changed.
“We want to grow a successful national brand when it comes to supplies and people. When you have one single identifiable brand, it’s a lot easier for customers to access,” he explained.
“The heritage and where we’ve come from remains the same.”
Declan McDonald is chair and a dairy farmer.
“We’ve picked a name that tells our story,” he said.
“We remain a 100% farmer-owned, farmer-led business. The board, management and the team on the ground are driven by a motivation to provide services to farmers.”
Two offerings
“There are two businesses,” said Whyte.
“Feirm People is focused on delivering farm relief services in Co Wexford, but also delivering staffing solutions on a full-time basis right across the country.
“Furthermore, we’re an end-to-end recruitment service when it comes to the sourcing and screening of workers from outside the EU, processing permits and visas.
“Feirm Supplies offers day-to-day inputs for dairy and livestock farms around the country, through telesales and through our online portal. That’s not just about providing products, but also the support and advice that goes with it”.
Whyte said the move combines the former Buyrite Solutions and Magenta Direct businesses, enhancing both.
“A big part of our business would be would be consumables for your dairy parlour, dairy hygiene products, detergents, milk replacer,” he said.
“We stock grass seed, grassland herbicides, and fencing equipment.
“Animal health products are a big component of our business. We have we have a number of responsible persons on site that have the skill and experience to deal with farmers over the phone.
“We also then have teamed up with vets nationally, so we can offer prescription-only medicines.”
Feirm Co-op members now pay a single annual fee for access to all its services, but anyone is free to purchase items from Feirm Supplies.
“We’ve also partnered with Utility Solutions, and we’re able to provide members with electricity supply cost-management, with a twice-yearly review of the best available provider and tariff for each individual farm, to best suit it’s needs,” said McDonald.
SHARING OPTIONS