Countrywide grows Alternative Feeds team

Leading rural supplier, Countrywide have announced the addition of two new members to their Alternative Feeds team. Alex Hannah joined the business in November 2010 as their Northern Trader and is based in Carlisle. Libby Bird, who started work in December as Blends Manager, is based at the Alternative Feeds Head Office in Amesbury, Wiltshire.

We are delighted to be taking on two new colleagues at this key time, says Charles Delf, Countrywides Alternative Feeds Manager. Alternative Feeds has grown dramatically over the last five to six years and we want to continue expanding our offering to customers in terms of range, value and also geographically. Alternative Feeds supplying straights, moist feeds, blends and liquids as highly cost-effective bespoke feeds – is a business that depends heavily on individual expertise. We must have the right people in the right places. Im confident that weve found them in Libby and Alex.

Alexs northern roots and location in Carlisle has great strategic significance for Countrywide. As Northern Trader Im responsible for Birmingham upwards: Cumbria, Northumberland, right up to Orkney, says Alex. Also, importantly, Im Countrywides first key representative in the north. My appointment is directly in line with their aim to build and develop their rural supply business on a national basis.

As a candidate for the Alternative Feed Trader role, Alex fulfilled the brief, and more, explains Charles. He has over 30 years valuable experience combining animal nutrition, the alternative feeds industry – including a comparable position at James and Son in Northampton. Coming from a Stranraer farming family, Alex has in-depth regional knowledge and extensive contacts. As a pioneer for Countrywide in the north, hes ideal.

Its great to bring the Countrywide name to an area I know so well, agrees Alex, and Alternative Feeds is perfect for spearheading the brand. Commodity based, I can cover a large area, and go in as a fresh face to the market, offering a huge portfolio of products and, with Countrywides considerable buying power, very competitive prices. My aim is to get Countrywide firmly established on farmers shopping lists make sure they know its always worth calling us for Alternative Feeds in fact, ultimately, for all their supplies.

Whilst based in Carlisle, Alex will still be in close contact with the rest of the team at their Amesbury headquarters. One of my qualities is tenacity, Im very determined. The support and back-up of such an experienced and professional team will allow me to concentrate even harder on the task ahead.

The role of Countrywides other new recruit, Libby Bird, will be as a pivotal member of that Amesbury team. As Blends Manager, her responsibilities will include everything blends related from sourcing raw materials from a huge range such as gluten, hipro soya and sugarbeat – to blend formulation and pricing.

My main objective will be to help grow the business from this managerial position and Im eager for the challenge. I have always enjoyed working in the blends industry, says Libby, whose across the board experience includes three years at John Loader Wessex (formerly Badminton Horse Feeds) in a customer service role and six years at KW Agriblends.

Every day in Blends is different, no two jobs are ever the same and raw materials, by their nature, offer a great variety. There is a real buzz that comes with finding the right solution, being competitive, and the potential for growth with Countrywide is enormous.

In Libby, we have found someone with the exact skills we require, confirms Charles. She has excellent people and communication skills, which are so important not only to our own team of traders, forwarders and administers but equally to existing and new customers. She also has a comprehensive knowledge of the blends industry acquired from on the job experience.

Both Libby and Alex will be real assets to our cohesive, proactive team, concludes Charles. We all believe that, in the tough economic times ahead, Alternative Feeds is a sector that will increase in importance to farmer looking to manage volatility and preserve their profit margins by precise, economical feeding. With the help of Libby and in the north, Alex we intend to make sure that Countrywide is always their preferred supplier.

Countrywide is the UKs leading supplier of quality products and services supporting the rural community.

Countrywide has a reputation for delivering a high-quality, personalised service, by its 1,000 experienced and knowledgeable staff.

Focusing on three specialist areas – Agriculture, Energy and Retail; 2009/10 was Countrywides third consecutive year reporting record operating profits.

In Agriculture, Countrywides expertise offers products and related services for the livestock, arable and turf and amenity sectors, delivered through 40 farming specialists and an in-house support team.

Countrywide has over 50 years experience of providing Energy and now offers a wide range of fuel products and support services, including autogas, cylinders, LP Gas and a range of bio-renewable fuels.

Countrywides 46 country Retail stores in England and Wales, and a 24/7 on-line service, sell a vast range of rural goods to a growing group of customers, including over 40,000 account holders. In-store experts focus on supporting customers with a focus on equine, agriculture and pet care.

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