Pembrokeshire Machinery Co-operative wins Welsh Government backing for ICT improvements

A Pembrokeshire co-operative, Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring Ltd, that provides services to support rural businesses, has received backing from Communities 2.0, the Welsh Government's digital inclusion programme.

The support will help the organisation to address and update its business and data management systems and hardware and increase efficiency within the business.

Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring is implementing its new ICT improvements after receiving an ICT review from Communities 2.0. The review helped the organisation assess its existing equipment and identify training needs and this support will help Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring to upgrade ICT and server equipment and install up-to-date firewall and antivirus software.

Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Government programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The co-operative business was established in 1991 to provide services that allow local rural businesses to use their resources in a more efficient way, acting as a broker linking supply to demand. This concept is applied to machinery, equipment, services, labour and other rural and land based products, resources and commodities. Fundamental to the overall business approach is a very strong ethos on sustainability through the effective use of local and rural resources, supporting the development of the rural economy and rural jobs in Wales.

PMR has developed significantly over the past 23 years, growing its membership to over 1,600 across Wales, 600 of which are based in Pembrokeshire, while diversifying its services and products to support its own long term sustainability. The business currently employs 10 members of staff.

Neil Davies is General Manager of Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring. He commented:

“Not only are we delighted with the success of our application, but we have been really impressed at the depth of knowledge, expertise and professionalism of Communities 2.0 officers. We have no doubt that their extremely thorough ICT review and also guidance during the application phase has ensured we will have the ICT infrastructure we need to continue delivering our services to rural businesses throughout Pembrokeshire and the rest of Wales”.

Communities 2.0 project director Cathryn Marcus commented:

“Communities 2.0 is delighted to be able to add its support to this investment in Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring. The co-operative offers an important service to rural businesses across Wales and this investment will help the organisation to deliver its services more efficiently and effectively.”