What is a Machinery Ring?

A Machinery Ring is a member owned co-operative of farmers, contractors and agricultural businesses. Through us members can link their resources and services, so increasing efficiency and income whilst making the best use of machinery and labour. P.M.R. Ltd is one of two operating in Wales and covers 48% of the agricultural holdings in the nation. The concept comes from Germany where, after the Second World War, a Ring was set up to maximize the working potential of limited agricultural machinery by pooling resources.

Members are able to reduce their fixed costs for machinery by gaining extra work. Alternatively, by going through the Ring, farmers are able to contract in equipment for less cost than if they owned and operated their own.

For example: if a farmer were to purchase a round baler for £14,500.00 and use it to bale as many as 1,000 bales a year, it could cost around £3.60 per bale. But a tractor, baler and driver can be hired in through the Ring for approx £1.50 per bale.

If a member needs a particular job done on their land ditching for example-but does not have either the machine or the time to do the job themselves, then one call to the Ring office will solve their problem. We have many members capable of doing any job. Once the request has been made, we can then search for that particular resource on a proximity basis, the closest available member with that required service will be offered the work first. There is no obligation to take the work - if they are unavailable we simply move onto the next closest member.

By following this simple procedure, we have eased the problem of the member with no time and no machine and have generated income for our supplier member by finding them work.

In years gone by, “neighbourliness” fulfilled our role. Farms generally had more labour then so helping others was commonplace. Today many farms are run, using few if any staff with greater workloads generated by the need to maximise production from the farm. When today’s farmer needs help or time off, who do they turn to for help?

Ring members can call the office and ask for relief labour. A wealth of experience in all aspects of farming is available through us. Shortages and excesses of labour can be evened out.

P.M.R. Ltd is a non-profit making Friendly Society run for the benefit of it’s members, registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965, London Reg. No. 27395R.