Chapter 14: CHANGES IN MILK FLOW
compensated for the loss of supply from Westmeath Co-op.
and Nenagh on working more closely together to reduce costs. Centenary’s links to Glanbia were of concern to the others. A consultant was commissioned to carry out an appraiser of each of the society’s for study by the group.
By the end of the decade discussions had commenced on a longer term arrangement between Mid West and Nenagh. The Mid West Farmers Co-op Society Committee had discussed the possible sale of the society. Nenagh Co-op was interested in cementing the relationship to the point of acquisition and a special sub committee was formed in 1999. The committee comprised of Messrs Richard Tobin, Chairman, - two vice chairmen -Messrs J. Donnelly, a former President of the Irish Farmer’s Association, S. Fahy, M. Malone, and M. Moloney.
By mid Summer 2000 relationships between Mid West and Nenagh had continued to strengthen. At the end of June 2000, accountants Ernest and Young were appointed to carry out a valuation of the two societies and Fergus Slattery & Co commissioned to provide a valuation of the property. Discussions commenced on centralised butter making and liquid milk processing to reduce costs to both societies. It was agreed to have a professional estimate of the cost of converting the creamery at Kilconnell to a Liquid Milk Processing plant.
In February a delegation from Mid West Co-op visited Nenagh Co-op, the feed compounding mill at Limerick and subsequent to the visit an agreement was finalised with Nenagh Co-op for the supply of all skim milk and buttermilk for the following three years. Discussions commenced on the possibility of the two societies working more closely together, but there were signs that the future of the Kilconnell plant would slow down progress in the short term. Later in the year there were brief discussions between five Co Tipperary Co-op’s, Centenary, Drombane, Thurles, Tipperary,
John Tyrrell, Director General, ICOS, was appointed to co-ordinate discussions
A group of the attendance at the opening of Carrigbawn Milk Products at Nenagh. 205