Associated Trading Co-operatives (ATC), the agri-trading purchasing and supply group of 18 dairy and other co-operatives* across Ireland has appointed John Heaphy as General Manager.

The Associated Trading Co-operatives Group specialises in the buying of agricultural products and farm inputs, some of which are sold to farmers under the Co-op Source brand through its co-operative members.

ATC’s purpose is to harness the collective buying power of its member co-operatives in a combined, competitive and forward looking approach to their procurement requirements.  ATC currently makes purchases of some €30m per annum on behalf of its co-operative members who achieve mutually beneficial cost savings from this process.

Mr. Heaphy is a management accountant by profession and he is a specialist in procurement management.  As General Manager, he will spearhead the re-engineering and planned strategic growth of ATC operations.  This will include the formation of mutually beneficial partnerships with suppliers who are interested in working with ATC to provide quality, value and choice for the co-operative farming community.

Welcoming the appointment, ATC Chairman Pat Moriarty said:  “Associated Trading Co-operatives is owned by its co-operative members where our common goal is to provide quality products at competitive prices through economies of scale in purchasing.  This is particularly important in a climate of currently reduced world prices for agricultural produce and also in view of the expansion agenda for Irish food exports.  To maximise returns from their enterprises, it is essential for farmers to manage the cost of their farm inputs and our co-operative members are working together to support them in this task through Associated Trading and the Co-op Source Brand.”

*  The members of Associated Trading Co-operatives are:   

• Arrabawn Co-operative
• Ballyjamesduff Co-operative
• Bandon Co-operative
• Barryroe Co-operative
• Boherbue Co-operative
• Callan Co-operative
• Centenary Thurles Co-operative
• Drinagh Co-operative
• Drombane Co-operative
• Fealesbridge & Headleys Bridge
• Inishowen Co-operative
• Lakeland Dairies Co-operative
• Lee Strand Co-operative
• Lisavaird Co-operative
• Mullinahone Co-operative
• Newtownsandes Co-operative
• North Cork Co-operative
• Tipperary Co-operative