Leading rural supplier Countrywide has announced the acquisition of specialist grain trader Heart of England Grain Co Ltd, including Heart of England Country Feeds for an undisclosed seven figure sum.
’This is a significant milestone in the strategic growth of our agri-business adding substantial capacity to our existing trading activities whilst further strengthening our offer to our arable customers’, comments John Hardman, Countrywide’s Chief Executive. ’The integration of these two organisations further demonstrates Countrywide’s commitment to the agricultural sector. Countrywide farming customers will now have the opportunity to market their crops with a business they can trust. This extension of our offer means Countrywide now have the widest product and services offer for farmers.
’The Country Feeds business is an exciting development for our own equine business, providing equestrian feeds, forage and bedding products direct to the customer,increasing the reach of our business and bringing Countrywide expertise to a wider audience. We plan to develop the current Country Feeds range in Preston Capes to closer align it with our Countrystore business’. concludes Mr Hardman.
Founded in 1982 and with a growing trade of combinable crops, Heart of England Grain serves farmers across the heartland of England, supplying leading blue chip millers and feed compounders direct from farm or via storage facilities near Rugby and Daventry.
’The business will continue to trade as Heart of England Grain as the brand is so strong’ says Alistair Folly, Sales Director for Countrywide. ’We are delighted that the founders Hugh Raby and James Stafford along with fellow director Nigel Hooper are joining us ensuring it will be very much ’business as usual’ for customers. Their knowledge and experience in the procurement of cereals and pulses will be of great benefit when utilized with our existing 400,000 tonnes of compounds, blends and straights business. It will also allow Countrywide’s customers a great opportunity for reciprocal trade’.
Speaking about the acquisition, Heart of England Grain’s managing director Hugh Raby is optimistic about the future, ’we have been looking for some time for a business that has the vision, resources, geographic coverage and connections to substantially expand and grow the business.
’Countrywide have proved to us that they are focused on delivering value and choice to the farmer through independent advice and we are delighted to be joining a business that we believe will provide our customers with the products and services they need in an increasingly volatile and competitive market.’
All 15 Heart of England Grain’s employees will be staying with the combined business, ’further widening the experience and expertise of our arable team’ says Mr Folly. ’Like us, Heart of England Grain is a business based upon trust and strong reputations which have delivered long standing trading relationships with both farmers and the supply chain.’
’The growth opportunities in the arable sector are considerable,’ concludes Mr Hardman. ’Global demand will undoubtedly increase as population pressures, energy demand and eastern countries demand for more meat continue to dominate the political agenda. The integration of our two businesses will help our customers make the most of these opportunities in what is unquestionably a dynamic future for agriculture.’
