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What is a machinery ring?

Rooted in agriculture. Growing with rural businesses.

Agriculture is, and always will be, at the heart of Tayforth Machinery Ring. It is where we come from, where our expertise lies and remains the core of what we do.

Machinery Rings were originally established to connect farms with surplus machinery and labour capacity to those who needed it. That principle remains at the heart of Tayforth today — helping members access the machinery, labour and resources they need, without having to own or provide everything themselves.

But rural businesses are changing, and so are their needs.

We are building on our strong agricultural foundations to offer members more ways to reduce costs, access skills and services, improve efficiency and make better use of their resources.

Machinery and labour remain central to what we do, alongside a growing range of fuel, supplies, training, business services and other opportunities.

While agriculture remains our core, we are also opening our network to a wider range of rural businesses — bringing together farmers, contractors, rural trades, suppliers and other businesses that support and operate within the rural economy.

The strength of Tayforth comes from our members. By connecting businesses and combining their buying power, skills, resources and opportunities, we can create greater value across the network.

Supporting rural businesses by connecting people, services and solutions.

Machinery Rings: A simple concept that helps businesses work smarter

The Machinery Ring concept is simple: connect businesses that have resources with businesses that need them.

For agriculture, this means helping members access machinery and labour when they need it, while creating opportunities for other members to make better use of the resources they already have.

A member needing work carried out can access the Tayforth network, while we identify an appropriate member with the machinery, skills or capacity to provide it. This helps the member accessing the service avoid the cost of owning every piece of machinery or employing additional labour, while the member providing it can generate additional income and spread the cost of their existing resources over more work.

Most members are both users and providers of services, creating a network where resources can be shared and used more efficiently.

More than machinery

While machinery and labour remain at the heart of what we do, the same principle can be applied across a much wider range of business needs.

Today, Tayforth connects members with fuel, supplies, training, business services, skills and other opportunities, using the strength of our membership to help businesses access what they need and make better use of what they have.

That is what makes a Machinery Ring more than just machinery.

It is a network built around sharing resources, reducing costs and creating opportunities.

Become a Member

How can a machinery ring help its members?

Membership gives you access to a growing network of people, machinery, products, services, skills and knowledge — helping you reduce costs, improve efficiency and make better use of your resources.

 

  • 🚜 Access machinery and labour

    Meet peak seasonal demand without having to own every machine or employ additional labour. Access experienced operators and the resources you need, when you need them.

  • 💷 Reduce your costs

    Benefit from Tayforth’s collective buying power and competitive rates on products and services including fuel, fertiliser, building supplies, fencing materials and more.

  • ⚙️ Make better use of your resources

    Get more from machinery, equipment, skills and labour you already have by making them available to other members, helping spread costs and create additional income.

  • 🎓 Develop your people and skills

    Access practical, industry-relevant training designed around the needs of agricultural and rural businesses.

    Our growing training programme includes opportunities such as First Aid, pesticide training, rodent control, health & safety, compliance and other practical industry courses.

    Training can be delivered through courses at our facilities or on-site for your business, making it easier to keep your people skilled, confident and compliant.

  • 🔧 Keep your business moving

    When unexpected demand, breakdowns or staff shortages occur, the Tayforth network can help you find alternative machinery, labour, skills and services to keep things moving.

  • 📈 Improve efficiency and plan ahead

    Access the resources you need without having to invest in everything yourself. Service information and guide prices can also help with forward planning and budgeting.

 

🤝 Connect with the rural business community

Tayforth brings together farmers, contractors, rural businesses, trades, suppliers and service providers, creating opportunities to share resources, access expertise and build valuable business relationships.

🌱 Keep developing your business

Our offering continues to evolve as the needs of our members change. From traditional Machinery Ring services to training, business support, supplies and new opportunities, we are continually looking for ways to deliver more value to members.

One membership. More resources. More opportunities.

How does Tayforth work?

One point of contact. A network of resources.

The Tayforth office is your first point of contact when you need a service, resource or solution. Our team uses their knowledge of the membership and our network of businesses to help connect your requirements with the right person or service.

Whether you need machinery, labour, specialist skills, supplies, training or other business services, we can help identify options available through the Tayforth network.

Need something? We help you find it.

Tell us what you need, when you need it and any preferences you may have, and our team will look for suitable options within the membership.

We consider availability, location, capability and your requirements to help find the most appropriate solution. Where possible, we can also help identify alternatives if your preferred option isn’t available.

Have something to offer?

The Ring works both ways.

If you have machinery, labour, skills, products, services or spare capacity, you can make these available to other members. This can help you generate additional income, improve utilisation and build new business relationships.

 

A network that works for you

Tayforth brings together a growing community of farmers, contractors, rural businesses, trades, suppliers and service providers.

That network is at the heart of what we do — creating opportunities for members to access resources they need while making better use of what they already have.

You may need it. Another member may have it. Tayforth connects the two.

What does membership cost?

Membership of Tayforth gives you access to our network of services, resources, buying opportunities and training.

Annual membership: £215 + VAT

A levy of up to 2% is applied to relevant transactions and contributes towards the running costs of the Machinery Ring.

Members also hold 25 £1 shares, payable when joining.

For full details of current membership charges and how the levy works, please contact the Tayforth team.

  • Annual Subscription : £215 + VAT (varies from Ring to Ring)
  • Share capital upon joining : £25 (varies from Ring to Ring)
  • Commission : rate varies from 0% – 2% depending on service

   How Does Payment Work?

Tayforth makes the process of arranging and paying for work straightforward for both members.

Guide prices are provided to help members understand typical rates, but they are not fixed. The price for a job or service is agreed between the members before the work begins.

Once the work or service has been completed, the details are submitted to the Tayforth office for processing. We then take care of the invoicing and payment process, providing a simple system for both parties.

For members accessing a service

Tayforth raises the invoice and collects payment by Direct Debit 21 days from the date of invoice.

For members providing a service

Tayforth processes the transaction and makes payment by bank transfer 28 days from the date of invoice.

This means members can focus on getting the job done, while Tayforth takes care of the administration behind the transaction.

One network. One simple process.

Join 1,100+ businesses already working with Tayforth

Tayforth connects businesses with the people, services and solutions that help them work more efficiently, reduce costs and manage risk.

And we’re growing. We’re continuing to develop our services and welcome new businesses to the Tayforth network.

Ready to find out more about joining?

Find out more