ABN becomes key Pig and Poultry Fair partner

Leading monogastric nutrition company, ABN, is to be the principal sponsor of the 2008 British Pig and Poultry Fair, due to be held at Stoneleigh Park on May 13 and 14.

Announcing the partnership package this week, managing director Alan Murphy said the agreement highlighted ABN's position as an industry leader, and would demonstrate its capability as a progressive, forward-thinking and efficient business.

"We are delighted to take this leading role with the country's key technical event," he says. "We want to increase the awareness of our name and activities within this sector of the livestock industry, and to practically exhibit our ability to deliver cost-effective performance based on extensive R&D programmes."

The Fair, organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, takes place every second year, and brings together more than 250 leading suppliers with 8000 producers and industry professionals. It focuses on the production of pig meat, poultry meat and eggs, and within each sector covers different types of production systems, from large scale intensive to free range and organic.

Several innovations are planned for the 2008 event. These include:

· A new seminar area, with programmes to cover issues affecting both pig and poultry producers, in a new location central to the event;

· Promotions to the growing number of specialist producers who are seeking a route to gain a greater knowledge of products, information and advice;

· Developing the exhibitor base to move further up the food chain, including those offering processing, packaging and marketing solutions, as well as helping farmers looking to process and market their own produce;

· Offering exhibitors who have machinery (for example handling equipment) the chance to demonstrate their machines 'in action' for 2008..

"The Society is delighted to welcome ABN as partners for 2008. We are working hard to be innovative and commercial to meet the needs of a fast-changing industry" says event manager, Alice Bell. "Planning for 2008 is well underway with strong support from exhibitors and bookings coming in thick and fast."

ABN's involvement at the event will include overall sponsorship of both the Fair and the seminar programmes, will include trade stands in both the pig and the poultry sections, and feature considerable on-site branding and promotion.

"We see this as an opportunity to demonstrate our ability to meet the requirements of a wide spectrum of customers," says Mr Murphy. "We are in the business of providing business solutions through strategic support. This partnership will enable us to prove our expertise across the whole food chain."

ABN's support will also carry across some of the other AB Agri businesses – Primary Diets, Allied Livestock Marketing (ALM) and Sullivan's.