Covid-19 lockdown has made all businesses re-think their daily schedules, and while many have had to temporarily shut their doors, Ringlink Scotland continues to be fully operational, providing labour, contracting services and commodity supplies throughout the east and north of Scotland.

As the UK’s largest business ring with a membership just shy of 3000, the co-operative is working from Fife to Inverness.

“Our aim has been to provide uninterrupted service at what is a very busy time of the year,” explains Graham Bruce, managing director of Ringlink Scotland.

“Our team is also here to try and answer more general questions from members resulting from Covid-19, such as the legalities of the movement of people, goods and the availability of hauliers.

He added that the co-operative is continuing to co-ordinate the supply of workers to it’s members’ businesses and is currently averaging 220 people out daily – a third back on the typical average for this time of year.

As a result of this and the Covid-19 restrictions, it has nevertheless had to place just over 50 workers on furlough, as a number of businesses have closed as they were non-essential due to lockdown. The recent settled weather also has allowed farmers to work at a steady rate.

“Our workers are currently undertaking a range of tasks from tractor work and relief milking through to forklift driving and lambing,” he adds.

“All of the workers have been issued with a key worker letter of authority and advised to carry ID with them, just in case they are stopped by police, and all workers are fully briefed about sanitising their hands and maintaining social distancing whilst on members’ properties.”

Mr Bruce pointed out that after the initial shortage of sanitiser, stock is being delivered on a daily basis to members and supplies are plentiful so anyone still requiring it, should contact their local Ringlink office.

Land-based businesses struggling to source supplies of commodities or services such as seed, fuel, fertiliser, twine/film – are also readily available through Ringlink, although Mr Bruce warned, the business has seen forward buying by many members, to ensure there are no delivery interruptions or shortages in the coming weeks.

“Haulage is challenging during lockdown, with less movement of non-essential goods and deliveries to England, are seeing a lack back loads available, to make it financially viable for the operators. However, local deliveries are more or less back to normal with minimal disruption.”

The co-operative routinely supplies an average of 360 workers per day throughout the year, which is currently providing an invaluable lifeline for members according to board member John Farquharson, who farms at Auchterless near Turriff.

John added: “With spring work still ongoing throughout Scotland for farms and food businesses, in the current climate with Covid-19 restrictions, you can rest assured – one phone call to the Ringlink team and they will find a way to help you”.

Mr Bruce adds that: “The majority of our team is working from home, however we are using our voice over internet phone (VOIP) system, which allows seamless transfer of calls between departments and offices, as well as providing us with our own in-house video conferencing facility.”

Ringlink Scotland is open for new memberships, for more information email Laurencekirk@ringlinkscotland.co.uk or call 01561 377790.

 

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