In the southern half of the country Milk Link stretches from Cornwall in the west to Kent in the east of England.
It will collect up to 1.4 billion litres of milk a year (3.8 million litres per day) from around 3,000 members and have a combined turnover of over £250 million and sell up to 60 potential customers. Two hauliers with 12 depots will collect the milk from farms and deliver it to processors.
Milk Link will become a key player in the region with a valuable contribution to make in the rural economy. Five territory managers and a specialist milk manager form the link between the dairy farmer and the head office in Plymouth - whilst three national account managers and a customer operations team will ensure the best levels of service to customers. A total of 33 staff are currently employed.
It is proposed that, from March 31, Milk Marque will cease to trade in milk and that Milk Link and the two further independent organisations further north, will take on the marketing of members' milk. In the meantime, each member will have been invited to become part of the new co-operative relevant to the area in which the farm is located. If he has farms in more than one region, he will be eligible to join more than one co-op.
From the beginning of April this year, all of the current Milk Marque members in the West Country area will have their milk sold by Milk Link. However, founder members who make the commitment to join Milk Link before February 29 will be rewarded by the earning of additional interest on their preference shares and gain longer term benefits over and above any subsequent new members. This offer is open only to Milk Marque members.
Milk Marque will continue to provide central business services (for example, milk testing, computing, office accommodation and milk payment systems) for up to one year from April 2000.