Buy British, buy early: Betafence bids to beat steel price rises.
Market-leader steps up production of Rylock stock fence, barbed and fencing wire.
Betafence, the UK’s largest wire manufacturer, has brought forward production of Rylock stock fence, barbed wire and fencing wire at its Sheffield factory. The move is aimed at lessening the impact on farming of rising steel prices.
Every day from the start of January 2011, Betafence is making and delivering around 100 tonnes of its Rylock Green and Rylock One products to merchants in the UK and Ireland. This ensures supplies are readily available for farmers and contractors to buy early when prices are most competitive.
Traditionally, sales of livestock fencing are highest between March and June, but for the past five years this peak in demand has coincided with a big rise in the cost of steel rod from which the fencing wire is made. This increased cost can push up the retail price of fencing by around 30% between January and June.
James Timlin, Betafence UK Sales Manager, anticipates steel costs will follow a similar pattern in 2011, peaking once again at the height of the farming season.
Mr Timlin said: “We have re-configured production to service the market before steel goes up in price. This means that farmers will be able to buy competitively-priced British product ahead of the season and before the increases.”
Kevin Steers, General Manager at Betafence, said: “For the past five years, the height of the farming season has coincided with the height of steel prices in the UK. This is caused by increased demand for steel being driven by the worldwide construction market, particularly in China and India.
“We decided to tackle the timing issues. We’ve brought forward production and are encouraging merchants to take Rylock ahead of season.”
Uniquely, Betafence’s Rylock range is made from 100% British steel turned into fencing at Betafence’s factory in Sheffield, Yorkshire, where agricultural wire products have been manufactured for more than 75 years. Betafence recently emphasised the longevity of its brands with a 20-year guarantee for Rylock Green and a 10-year guarantee for Rylock One.