The new entity will serve farmers and crofters from East-central Scotland to Sutherland, Skye, and Argyll.

The new combined operation will retain the Ringlink Scotland Ltd name and two directors of HBS will join the Ringlink board. Overall management will be the responsibility of Ringlink’s managing director, Graham Bruce, with the present HBS team continuing to run operations in HBS’s existing trading area on a day-to-day basis from their present office at Glaikmore, Tore.

Administration will be linked to Ringlink’s main computer at Laurencekirk and Ringlink will retain their existing regional offices at Cupar, Coupar Angus, Oldmeldrum and Elgin.

Members of HBS are to be asked to give formal approval to the merger plans at special general meetings to be held on 24 June and 11 July. The proposals will require the approval of at least two-thirds of members present or voting by proxy, at the first meeting and half at the second meeting. Subject to the approval of members of HBS it is proposed the merger will take place on 1 August 2025.

James Porter

Ringlink chairman, James Porter, said: “Both rings have worked closely together over the last few years and the proposed merger is the next logical step forward in the machinery ring concept in North of Scotland.

“The combined ring will be able to offer a more comprehensive and efficient service and will allow further development of the core business, along with the labour and training divisions which are an integral part of the business.”

HBS chairperson, Anne Rae Macdonald, said the merger would provide members with enhanced buying power and services in what she describes as the challenging times which lie ahead for farmers and crofters and in light of support payment reforms.

Anne Rae MacDonald

“The plans are a significant step forward in our development and will allow both rings to pool resources whilst still optimising  local centres, contacts and knowledge,” said Ms Macdonald. “The merger will enable the joint business to build on existing resources, help find new opportunities for our farming and crofting businesses, provide on-going support for staff and reduce costs in areas such as administration, computer software and professional fees.”

Ringlink, originally known as Mearns and Angus Machinery Ring, was the second machinery ring to be formed in the UK in 1988. The name was changed to Ringlink (Scotland) Ltd following a merger with the North East Machinery Ring in 1998 which was followed by the merger with GBMR in 2004.

Machinery rings were originally established in the UK to help farmers reduce capital costs by the sharing of machinery on an organised basis. The concept has since been expanded to include the provision of labour to farming and other rural industries, Training and the supply of commodities, such as Fuel, Straw, Stockfeed, Fertiliser and Electricity.

Both organisations believe rings have an important role to play in reducing overall farm costs and in making farming and crofting enterprises more resilient going forward.

Mr Bruce added: “Through the development and expansion of the existing labour pools, where the two rings have been placing over 450 workers with member businesses every day, the merged business will provide the opportunity for a significant increase in this capability.

“The bottom line is that the enlarged co-op will safeguard and create jobs in farming and rural communities and help the industry to retain and adapt the skills it will need to maintain competitiveness in the future. This is a merger for growth and reflects the important business generators that ring businesses have become, and their outstanding potential. The directors are to be commended for taking this important step forward.”