Co-operative Consortia and Farming Co-operatives

Co-operative consortia are formed when a group of businesses join together as a co-operative.  They remain independent businesses, but by working together gain a competitve advantage.

As well as being referred to as co-operative consortia, these groups of businesses are also sometimes called marketing co-ops or secondary co-ops.

What are the benefits?

Groups of businesses join together for a variety of mutual benefits including:

• Added profitability, competitiveness and sustainability
• Winning contracts through procurement
• Joint marketing of the businesses
• Sharing business resources
• Greater negotiating strength
• Adding value to products
• More control over how products are produced and sold

Some examples

Farmers and food producers, retailers, scientific researchers, tourism businesses and recycling businesses are amongst those who have taken a co-operative approach and started working together to increase their profitability with the support of the Wales Co-operative Centre.

How can we help?

The Centre can help with all stages of setting up a co-operative business consortium including sorting out a legal structure and registering the co-operative as a company limited by guarantee, industrial and provident society or community interest company.  We can also help with writing a business plan and provide training for people involved with the business consortium.

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