Two Clare marts to merge

SHAREHOLDERS of two Co Clare marts, with a combined annual turnover of €52 million, have decided to merge into a combined business.

The decisions were taken at special general meetings of Clare Marts and Kilfenora Livestock Mart.

Clare Marts chairman Liam Williams and Kilfenora chairman Tommie Doherty said the huge turnout at the meetings, as well as the support which the members expressed for the merger, were good signs for the future.

Mr Williams said the decision showed confidence in the business of cattle production and in the co-op marts in Co Clare.

The board of the new enlarged society looked forward to developing and strengthening the services offered to the farmers of north Clare, he said, welcoming the Kilfenora shareholders into the larger Clare Marts group.

Mr Doherty said that for Kilfenora to be able to grow and develop its business, it needed the support and expertise which was best provided by a larger co-op with the resources to invest in the business.

The Irish Cooperative Organisation Society’s National Co-op Marts Committee secretary TJ Flanagan said the merger was welcome and in keeping with the recommendations included in its Co-op Mart Development Strategy.