This article is from page 3 of the 2012-01-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
SIXMILEBRIDGE Mart has been hailed as one of the business success stories of the past year on the back of bucking economic trends to turn out a substantial profit since it re-opened its doors last August.
It has been revealed that the mart has made a profit of over € 100,000 during the first five months, with the Shannon Tunnel and a booming livestock industry huge contributory factors to the success story.
“Some thought we were mad but look at us now,” said Mart Secretary Eddie Punch. “Farmers and dealers come here because they know they’ll get a fair price, wheither they’re buying or selling.
“I’d be confident that the strong prices will continue for this year at least. We are still reliant on the farmers continuing to support us and bring the stock each week,” added Mr Punch.
The mart closed in 2009, but was brought back to life in August on the back of 600 farmers who became shareholders in the mart by raising the € 300,000 needed to buy the 4.5 acre site.
The mart, which now employs 20 people full-time and has a number of part-time staff, is run by a nine- member board. They are chairman Pat O’Reilly, secretary Eddie Punch, Mike Ryan, Seán Hannon, Joe O’Connell, Andrew Dundas, Gerard Liddy, Pat Freeman and Tom O’Connor. The mart is also managed by Seán Ryan, who previously managed the mart in Athenry.
“There’s no doubt that we’re benefiting from the strength in the trade in general at the moment,” said manager Sean Ryan. “I’d say trade is at least € 200 a head up on this time last year,” he added.