Openfield, the grain marketing agent for Angus Cereals, has recently agreed an enduring supply agreement with Bairds Malt, the largest maltster in Scotland. The agreement covers much of the malting barley stored at the Angus Cereals site at Montrose.

“Working directly with key consumers such as Bairds Malt is very much at the heart of Openfield’s marketing activity,” said Openfield Group Commercial Director Graham Lacey.

“We are truly delighted that the superb facilities that the Angus Cereals members have built at Montrose can now be used to help manage the supply of malting barley required by Bairds Malt at Arbroath.”

The new contract provides for a close working relationship between the two organisations, including ensuring that members grow the varieties most needed by Bairds Malt and that they are processed and segregated accordingly to maximise the amount of grain that can ultimately be delivered.

“When we decided to build our store we knew that as a new facility in the area it would take time to find our place in the market,” said Alex Sanger, Chairman of Angus Cereals.

”Having worked closely with Bairds and Openfield this harvest we are delighted that the supply agreement cements our ongoing commitment to each other,” he added.

Mr Sanger said the agreement was evidence that the investments made by Angus Cereals members was enabling it to build closer relationships with end-user consumers.

“There are a number of key reasons why Angus Cereals is making progress,” he said.

“Our collection service is so much faster than the industry norm meaning that we create more chance of helping our members to secure their harvest quality in difficult seasons and it will be rare for us to reject deliveries as we will always try our best to allocate loads to a specific market sector whatever the circumstances.”

The Angus Cereals store also provides access to export and import opportunities that can provide premium outlets for members’ grains and opportunity to service consumer customers.

Bairds Malt, Commercial Director, Eddie Douglas welcomed agreement on a collaborative approach to supply chain partnership.

“We have been delighted to be party to this agreement and to work with Openfield and the group of farmers who have invested in Angus Cereals. As one of the largest and most modern malting plants in Scotland, it is our strategy to maximise our collection of local barley from the high quality growers in the region which helps to retain the supply chain value within the local community of our site. Alongside our commitment to our existing growers, the Montrose store adds significantly to this strategy.”