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FIRST MILK DIRECT and FIRST MILK DIRECT ACADEMY

Richard Davis, Chairman of First Milk Direct and Tom Campbell, Chairman of First Milk Academy, gave their perspective on the development of First Milk Direct and First Milk Academy.

FIRST MILK DIRECT

Richard Davis (right), Chairman of First Milk Direct gave his views on the development of First Milk Direct:

“Over 1000 members are now using First Milk Direct regularly. Instead of trying to do everything, we have concentrated on farm inputs where we can deliver a significant benefit to members. The recruitment of Fiona Fraser into the team earlier this year and her focus on customer service for members, has allowed Neil Pullar to spend more time on developing a business model to take us forward.

“Our group deal on electricity has delivered large savings to a number of members. There have been a few hiccups along the way due to the previous company we worked with on the deal. However, Inenco, who are our current energy consultants, are working closely with us to resolve issues and develop a simple, attractive offering.

“The increased profile that First Milk has achieved through its strategic moves over the last twelve months or so, has definitely helped First Milk Direct. There are now a number of suppliers who are keen to work closely with us and link themselves with a progressive company.

“Our plans for 2008 involve exploring formal relationships with some of the regional co-operative buying groups, which would deliver mutual benefit, and looking at a group-wide mobile phone deal.”

FIRST MILK ACADEMY

Tom Campbell (left), Chairman for the First Milk Academy looked back on what First Milk Academy has achieved in 2007 and forward to plans for 2008:

“The most important thing for me is that members are taking to First Milk Academy. When we launched eighteen months ago, some people were sceptical about the benefits we could deliver.

“I think we have now proved beyond any doubt that members can improve their margins through using First Milk Academy. Given that we now have organisations like Lantra, SAC, RAC, Gelli Aur and Kingshay coming to us with ideas and funding to develop our programme, we must be doing something right!

“We now have 33 business clubs in place around the country and have held a couple of successful development workshops on fertility and will be running a cow mobility workshop soon. Next year we will look to do more development workshops as well as developing the business clubs.

“Overall our focus for next year is to ensure that the offering that we provide through the First Milk Academy continues to evolve and improve, in order to develop a competitive advantage for our members.”