BMR AND LMR PROPOSE A MACHINERY RING MERGER
The Board of directors of both Borders Machinery Ring Ltd (BMR) and Lothian Machinery Ring Ltd (LMR) are pleased to announce a proposed merger. This strategic move aims to enhance operational efficiency, achieve greater benefit in scale, broaden service provision, and secure long-term delivery for members across central and south-east Scotland.
Registered in 1987, BMR was the first machinery ring established in the UK, with LMR following closely in 1991. Both organisations share a proud heritage across neighbouring areas, and with a common mission; to match suppliers and demanders and harness the collective buying power of their memberships for the individual benefit of members in farming and the wider rural community. This will particularly benefit their combined membership in the core operating areas of Lothians and Borders, Lanarkshire, and Northumberland.
A combined scale of approximately 1,200 members and a throughput exceeding £11 million will strengthen negotiating power with suppliers and enhance credibility with stakeholders. Similarly, increased size will provide the necessary scale to explore new development opportunities. LMR members will immediately benefit from a broad range of services such as commodities and the pre-apprenticeship scheme that BMR currently deliver. The merger will also help spread the cost of management, administration, and IT systems to control business costs – something all businesses are wrestling with.
The merged Society would operate under the BMR Ltd name and be led by a unified Board comprising directors that represent both current Societies. Operational management will be led by BMR’s manager, Michael Bayne, and supported by the combined executive team. Management tasks would be undertaken at BMR’s office in Earlston but a presence will be retained in the Lothians area.
Members of LMR are being asked to give formal approval to the merger and are invited to attend Special General Meetings to be held on Thursday 23rd October and Tuesday 18th November to learn more, ask questions, and vote then ratify the proposal. Further details are in the LMR member pack, which has now been circulated.
John McCluskey, LMR Chairman said “It feels like the right time and we already have a very good working relationship with the team at BMR. They share a common commitment to member-focused co-op principles and have a strong regional brand. Their wider service provision and professional structure will also bring immediate benefit into the Lothian area.”
Graham Lofthouse, BMR Chairman said “With fewer farms but increasing opportunity for a broadening range of services means we need to adapt how and what we do. Ensuring critical scale will help deliver these benefits to members and give confidence to explore new services. Frank [Maxwell, Manager of LMR] and the team provide a strong service, and we must nurture all that hard work for the benefit of farms in the local area.”
This merger represents a proactive step to improving the resilience and value of service provision across a wider geographical area. With the two Societies coming together, BMR and LMR can ensure continuity, competitiveness, and enhanced co-op member value for years to come.
