Three prominent UK pig marketing groups – Scottish Pig Producers (SPP), Scotlean Pigs and Thames Valley Cambac (TVC) – have entered into a ground-breaking merger to launch a new cooperative intended to give independent farmers more clout in the marketplace.
The United Pig Cooperative will be farmer-led, with nine producer directors representing all UK production regions. Phil Woodall, formerly of TVC, and Andy McGowan, from SPP, will be the co-general managers initially, with recruitment for a single long-term general manager starting later this year. The offices will be in Yorkshire and Oxfordshire.
The intention to set up the new cooperative was communicated to the three companies’ members earlier this month, and was confirmed today, following various member votes.
TVC was already the country’s biggest marketing group and, by joining forces, the three organisations aim to provide independent producers with a more powerful voice in the supply chain at a time when the integrated sector grows ever stronger.
The new cooperative will be the leading provider of support services to independent farmers in the UK pig supply chain. The strategic move will aim to enhance market effectiveness, operational efficiency, and member support, ensuring a sustainable future for independent producers across the UK, the official announcement stated.
The new body will leverage the strengths of each organisation, increasing market effectiveness by improving scheduling outcomes and ensuring greater flexibility in logistics. The intention is that streamlining operations will boost productivity and reduce costs with savings for members, while resource sharing will allow for investment in knowledge sharing, innovation and sustainability initiatives to better meet member and customer needs.
Roderic Bruce, chair of SPP, said: “With the rapid rationalisation we are seeing across the whole supply chain the need for this merger is clear. By taking the best of all three groups we will create an organisation that can best serve its customers and members for the future.”
TVC chair Robert Beckett said: “I am delighted that we have been able to bring these three businesses together which will further increase our ability to add value to not only the members but also our processor customers as well.”
Richard Butterworth, chair of Scotlean Pigs said “This move will provide a better service for all our members and our customers.”
“United Pig Cooperative represents a bold step forward for the UK pig farming industry, ensuring that independent farms can thrive in an increasingly integrated market.”
The three marketing groups
- Thames Valley Cambac is the largest pig marketing cooperative in the UK, formed in the 1970’s and supplying all leading processors.
- Scottish Pig Producers provides cooperative pig marketing services for members across Scotland and Northern Ireland, having initially started as Grampian Pig Producers in 1979.
- Scotlean Pigs has been cooperatively working with members in Scotland and England by marketing pigs and provision other support services since 1980.