Welcome to The Thames & Kennet Machinery Ring
The Ring is a co-operative society of farmers together with agricultural and rural business who have the aim of reducing machinery and labour costs. The supplier benefits by spreading his machinery costs over a larger area and the Demander is able to reduce his capital investment in labour and machinery, while at the same time having up to date equipment when he needs it. The idea of Machinery Rings is far from new, they have been operating in Europe since the early 1950’s.
Thames and Kennet Machinery Ring Ltd (TKMR) was formed in 1991 by a group of farmers and contractors, with the aim of rationalising labour, machinery and input costs. TKMR is a farmer/member owned co-operative and is an industrial Provident Society and as such is not motivated by profit. It exists only to bring benefits to its members. A Board of elected Directors oversee the management of the business which is run on a day to day basis by Managers. The Directors serve on a voluntary basis and do not draw any salary.
TKMR caters for all areas of farming and rural businesses regardless of acreage, crop types or other parameters. The Ring does a large amount of work throughout the year for arable and livestock farmers together with work for other rural business, e.g, amenity work, estate work, deliveries, etc. It is hoped that the Ring can cover pretty much whatever it is asked with at least one Member offering the required service. We can cover most areas with the aid of the network of Machinery Rings around the Country, known as the Machinery Ring Association.
The Ring works on a simple structure. Work is required to be carried out by the demander, the ring will contact the nearest and most appropriate supplier. The price is then negotiated often a guide price is set by the Ring; a list is produced every 2 years. Once the work is complete the Ring will raise an invoice and charge 2% commission either side.