Golden Vale Co-Op Marts boast excellent modern livestock markets in prime locations which is supported by a highly experienced team of auctioneers and staff. Recent times have seen an increase in the cattle and calf numbers traded through their marts.
Golden Vale Marts Co-Op is one of the country’s biggest mart groups, operating a network of five marts at Kilmallock, Abbeyfeale, Dromcollogher, Tullamore and Carrigallen in Leitrim.
Providing a proficient service to sellers and buyers, collectively, GVM predicts sales of 120,000 cattle and calves and 35,000 sheep during 2015.
“We also operate a direct farm to farm business and sell a couple of thousand animals through that,” explained Chief Executive Officer PJ Buckley.
GVM Co-Op was founded in 1956 meaning that it will celebrate 60 years in existence next year. The first mart was opened in Kilmallock in 1958 and it would be accurate to say that the business has grown beyond recognition since then.
With more than one string to their bow, Golden Vale Marts’ business portfolio also includes auctioneering and foreign property interests.
The society’s 5,500 shareholders will have good cause to celebrate next year’s milestone birthday because last year GVM realised an operating profit of €2.7m and €1.46m profit before taxation. The shareholders funds currently stands at €19.4m.
PJ joined Golden Vale Marts as Financial Controller in 1992 and was elevated to the position of CEO in 2000. In recent years, the Society has overseen a substantial capital investment aimed at providing buyers and sellers with up-to-date and fit for purpose premises.
“The Group stretches from Abbeyfeale on the Kerry border right up to Leitrim,” he replied when asked the secrets of their success. “We’ve invested a lot in our facilities over the last three to four years. In terms of upgrading our facilities for our customers we have spent €1m since 2010.
“We’re very conscious of the need to improve the marts for the people that use them. Sellers need to get animals in quickly and efficiently and what happens around the ring is obviously critical. . From a buyers perspective, they want to get the animals out quickly and efficiently. We wanted to improve the mart experience for the buyers and sellers.”
One of GVM’s aims is to provide a reliable, quality service which is both professional and personal. At all times, they try to ensure that the service they provide to their customers is personalised and second to none.
GVM’s services are delivered by a strong team of talented and experienced people. The have approximately 100 employees on the payroll and they pride themselves on the quality of their workforce.
“We are service business and a lot of our success is very much down to the quality and commitment of our people. We’re extremely fortunate to have a high calibre workforce,” PJ added.
“As a group we’ve never been afraid to look beyond marts, we have not been afraid to look at other projects and invest where we think there is potential.
“The Property Auctioneering division was established in 1970s and we have property offices in Kilmallock, Limerick city and Tullamore, Co Offaly.We’re also involved in Property Investment and own two NCT centres in Abbeyfeale and Charleville, Co Cork and an Investment Property in Shannon.
“We also have investment property in Poland and Germany while in the last number of years we diversified into renewable energy. We sold our win farm interests for a profit of €6m in 2011. In addition, we also have an interest in a joint-venture in Wexford, Biogreen Energy Products.”
The hub of GVM’s business is the livestock marts and they are renowned for their flexible approach to meeting the requirements of all of their customers. The team at Golden Vale Marts work hard to achieve high attendance at all their sales by continuously building on their reputation for quality service and top prices.
With a long standing customer base, it is an approach that has helped them to stand the test of time and should continue to serve them in good stead as they look ahead to the future.
“We’ve come through a lot of challenges at this stage,” PJ pointed out. “The last five years were pretty challenging in terms of the economic downturn. And there are always going to be many challenges when you are involved in different businesses but, at this stage, the challenge for us is to keep improving the service we provide and grow the Co-Op for the shareholders.
“With the continued commitment of our employees, and the support of our buyers and sellers, we want to be the best we can be.”
Golden Vale Co-Operative Mart
Central Office
Kilmallock
Co. Limerick
Phone: (063) 98050
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 1, January 2016
