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Why is Openfield such an unusual business in the UK market?

November 5th, 2009

Our strategic aims are simply to be an integral part of our farmers and customers businesses, building unique relationships that create value through great service and a genuine understanding of their needs.

Everything that Openfield does is either directly or indirectly for the benefit of you, its shareholder and member. This first members newsletter demonstrates many of these benefits whether that be the assets and resources that are producing value for you or the expertise and dedication of the people who work for you.

Some of the articles that follow will show you how we are using Openfield`s resources and assets to deliver benefits to you particularly in areas like you own seed plant at Honey Pot Lane. You will also see that we have experts working for you in production and inputs and whilst these teams will be new to many of you they are very much part of your business and also of considerable technical and crop production value to many of your consumer customers.

Our grain marketing is now focussed through your Sales and Trading desk, also at Honey Pot Lane, where we are able to not only secure excellent relationships with all of our key customers in the UK and abroad, but also manage risk and develop innovative contracting opportunities. Did you know that your company was probably the largest exporter from the UK last year securing premium markets for you and capturing significant value through having control of our own shipments. This team of experts has the responsibility to bring markets and prices to all members through our Farm Business and Marketing teams who are found in regional offices or on your farm.

Movement of grain remains a key service both to our consumers and all members. We have established a regional team of forwarders so that your needs are met by people who know you and have then harnessed the expertise of DHL to manage our haulage procurement in a unique way that gain sets out to save costs and thereby return extra value to you.

Alongside our core marketing and movement activity, Openfield provides not only store administration services but also development skills and recruitment resource. Across the UK from Aberdeen to the West Country significant store developments are taking place. These are critical to servicing the new needs of many members as well as the requirements of consumer customers.