The Farmers Mart Aug-Sep 2019 - Issue 64 | Page 7

FARM NEWS 7 • AUG/SEP 2019 UK Farmers must view supply chain businesses as partners to achieve growth says new report The AF Group, the largest agricultural buying group in the UK and independent provider of advice, insight, and services to the farming community, have published their new report outlining the attitude and actions needed for successful and fruitful supply chain partnerships for British farmers. “WHILST it’s true that UK agriculture faces a huge amount of uncertainty there are actions farmers can take to increase productivity and efficiency,” comments Jon Duffy, AF Chief Executive. “What’s needed is a change of perspec- tive. By investing in robust supply chain relationships and partnerships, British farmers can still – despite turbulent times – position themselves to grow their businesses.” The report offers a challenging analysis of the agriculture sector, addressing the need to shift thinking and operations, as other sectors have, in order to meet the demands of a changing world and reduce business. To survive – and thrive – the paper urges farmers to consider their business and how they can create certainty and growth. Key ideas examined in the report, include: • The State of UK Agriculture – A look at the current UK farming sector and the potential business environment it faces in the near term. • Supply chain partnership – How treating supply chain busi- nesses as partners – rather than mere suppliers – opens the door to ONLINE SERVICES FOR KUHN MACHINES UP TO 20 YEARS OLD INTERACTIVE parts catalogues and operators’ manuals for KUHN machines up to 20 years old can now be accessed through the company’s MyKUHN online customer portal. Any owner or operator can now obtain essential information for mainte- nance and repairs, simply by registering a machine’s serial number on the site, even when purchasing used equipment. “There’s perhaps a ten- dency to assume services such as MyKUHN apply only to the new machinery buyer,” says KUHN UK man- aging director Siân Pritchard, “but the facility is arguably even more valuable to those purchasing a used machine. Having instant access to a user-friendly parts catalogue and up to date operator’s manual should give buyers greater confidence and make any ongoing servic- ing a lot easier and more cost-effective.” The MyKUHN online customer portal was first launched in the UK in 2018 and is free to access via any PC, smartphone or tablet ‘ free to access via any PC, smartphone or tablet ’ where there is access to the internet. In addition to 24/7 technical support, the portal improves KUHN’s post-sales customer service by offering a click and collect genuine spare parts service through local dealers. It also provides a wide range of associated advice and guidance and advanced notice on special offers, product improve- ments, events and new machine launches. Once registered to use MyKUHN, customers can tailor the type and level of information they receive by customising their own preferences according to their areas of interest. In this way, users will be able to build their own library of content and will only receive information that is of specific relevance to their machinery fleet or applicable to their farming operations. www.mykuhn.com/uk greater resources and more intricate solutions. • Brexit and its consequences – Even as uncertainty continues, what can we say for sure about Britain leaving the EU? www.theafgroup.co.uk/ partnerships-in-supply-chain Acklington Mart Raises a Fantastic £23,909.52 for Charity Staff at Acklington Livestock Market recently hosted a charity fund-raising evening in support of Bowel Cancer UK and the Great North Air Ambulance. THE evening was extremely well supported by the local farming community after the sad and untimely loss of a work colleague and great friend to everyone at the market. The mart’s chairman Chris Manners thanked everyone for their support and said that local firms and individ- uals were incredibly kind in contributing a fantastic range of raffle prizes, auction promises and donations to support these two amazing charities. Event organiser Andrew Brown said the amount raised, £23,909.54, has exceeded all expecta- tions. The money has been shared equally between the two chari- ties who would also like to pass on their sincere thanks to everyone who contributed.