Today, the
Wells-based firm supplies well over 100 contract herdspeople to
milk and manage herds on farms from Scotland to Cornwall and
Norfolk to Wales.
Founder Jim Parker, who runs the company with his daughter, Tracy,
puts their word-of-mouth success down to face-to-face communication
and a genuine understanding of farmers' needs.
"We work farming hours," he explains, "not office hours."
Not content with success in contract milking, Jim recognised
soaring livestock prices as an opportunity to introduce the UK's
first cattle leasing service; buying cows on his customers' behalf,
to enable them to expand or rebuild their herds without a crippling
financial layout.
Although cattle leasing is well established in Australia and the
US, the idea is as yet untried in Britain, and insuring the
groundbreaking business model proved a sticking point.
Jim continues: "We needed very specialised cover to enable the
service to go ahead, and struggled to find someone who really
understood what we were trying to do."
Following recommendations from his clients throughout the South
West, Jim contacted Cornish Mutual, and struck up a rapport with
local insurance inspector Nick Howe.
With more than 25 years' experience in the dairy industry, Nick
was quickly able to grasp the Somerset firm's business proposition,
and tailor the necessary cover.
Jim was so impressed that, in addition to cover against the loss
of the new, leased livestock during purchase and transport, he has
also transferred all the insurances for his contract milking
business to Cornish Mutual.
He says: "Good relationships are important. Nick comes out to
visit, discusses things and does the job properly. That means a
great deal.
"This is not just a job; it's a way of life. We deal with our
customers on a very personal level, and Cornish Mutual work exactly
the same way.
"They came very highly recommended, and I fully intend to
recommend Cornish Mutual to clients of my own."
www.sixtysevencow.co.uk
