Tag Archives: leading livestock auctioneers

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UA acquire Stirling Agricultural Centre

United Auctions, , , , ,

United Auctions (UA) has purchased the Stirling Agricultural Centre (SAC) for an undisclosed sum today (Tuesday March 22, 2011).

Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists have completed the deal for their company headquarters with administrators KPMG on behalf of the Centre’s original owners, Glasgow-based Elphinstone.

The funding for the acquisition was part-assisted by the Bank of Scotland.

The £15million Stirling Agricultural Centre opened its doors in July 2009 and is the single centre of operations for the company’s Perth and Stirling sales, including the world-famous Perth Bull Sales®.

UA’s Executive Team, comprising Executive Chairman David Leggat MBE and Group Joint Managing Directors Neil McLean and Robin Tough, will now manage the entire business operations for the business premises and its 52 acres.

Mr Leggat MBE, Executive Chairman of UA, said: “We’re pleased to announce this deal, which is a significant investment that further enhances the company’s position and long-term sustainability.

Neil McLean, Group Joint MD of UA, said: “We value the support from the team at Bank of Scotland who have been instrumental in the delivery of this deal. We’re now able to control the development of the livestock Centre in the way we intended from the outset and we expect to make further announcements in the near future.”

Sandy Hay, Agriculture Director at Bank of Scotland, said: “The focus and commitment of the directors at UA since their management buy-out has resulted in a strong business committed to a future in livestock sales. The purchase of the Stirling Agricultural Centre is a positive move which will enable UA to galvanise the development of the business in the future.”

 

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITOR

  • Legal and financial advice for UA was handled by Burness LLP and CKD Galbraith
  • UA purchased Huntly and Lairg auction marts and their area office and lairage facility at Oban last year as well as Dalmally Auction Mart in 2008

United Auctions – www.uagroup.co.uk

  • United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists. We operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban
  • The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree sheep and cattle, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services
  • Group turnover is in excess of £100 million and in 2008 we celebrated our 150th year in operation
  • The Stirling Agricultural Centre is located in the heart of Scotland, just off J10 on the M9 motorway. Located on a 52-acre site on the outskirts of the City, the mart supports around 300 on- and off-site jobs and comprises 400 pens, three sales rings, 18 paddocks, an exhibition hall, viewing gallery, conference facilities, and a 100-seater farmers’ restaurant
  • The Centre is also home to a range of agri-related businesses and is the new headquarters for the Highland Cattle Society
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Tractor Girls hit top fundraising gear in Stirling

News, United Auctions, , , ,

Visitors to the Stirling Agricultural Centre witnessed an unusual sight today as eleven girls on eleven vintage tractors drove into the mart to raise funds for charity.

United Auctions (UA) welcomed the Tractor Girls for their only stop in Stirling on day four of their trip. The visit gave the girls a chance to collect donations from farmers – and UA – as well as stretch their legs and enjoy a hearty lunch before continuing their epic road trip.

Driving vintage tractors more than 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End, the Tractor Girls hope to raise £100,000 for Cancer Research, CLIC Sargent and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Dating from the 1960s, the tractors reach a top speed of 15mph. They have no cabs or power steering, exposing the ladies to the elements throughout their 13-day journey, which started on Sunday (27 June) and will finish on 9 July in Ladock at Lands End.

For safety reasons – and to avoid road rage from other vehicles – the girls drive in pairs at two-minute intervals.

Aged from 19 to 30 years, the Tractor Girls 2010 team includes two Scottish ladies – Eilidh Grieve from Aberfeldy and Laura Mathers from Aberdeen, Irish sisters Louise, Carol and Claire Moore as well as New Zealander Jamie Hawkins and five girls from Dorset, Catherine Farwell, Alexandra Goddard, Sophie Jeans, Hannah Mayhew, and team captain Jenny Coles, who came up with the idea.

David Leggat MBE, Executive Chairman of UA, said: “The Tractor Girls are taking part in a terrific challenge to raise much-needed funds for these very worthy charities. We’re delighted to lend our support and wish them every success – and good weather – for the rest of their trip.”

Eilidh Grieve, who organised the Scottish leg of the trip, said: “We wanted to do something different to raise a huge amount of money for charity as well celebrate our rural heritage. We all have personal connections to the benefitting charities and feel very strongly about supporting their work to help fund the search for a cure. And the road run will be a great way to see the country – on the sunny days at least!”

Follow the Tractor Girls on Facebook and read their interactive blog – as well as donate online – at www.tg2010.co.uk

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UA hosts Commonwealth visitors in Stirling

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United Auctions (UA) welcomed 50 Commonwealth visitors to the Stirling mart today as part of the 24th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference.

The Stirling Agricultural Centre is the only auction mart to be included in a pre-Conference tour programme that will see delegates from around 20 Commonwealth countries visit a range of Scottish farms and the Royal Highland Show ahead of the main Conference on 28-30 June.

The Commonwealth Agricultural Conference will take place in Edinburgh and is run by the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC).

Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists showed the delegates around the new £15m Centre – the new venue for the world-famous Perth Bull Sales®.

David Leggat MBE, Executive Chairman of UA, said: “It’s with great pleasure that we welcome these international visitors to the Stirling mart to experience first hand the excellent facilities on offer.

“We’re delighted to support the important work of the RASC, which helps nurture relationships and share best practice amongst more than 40 sister organisations throughout the Commonwealth.”

The 24th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference comprises a range of speakers delivering 22 papers on a variety of Scottish and global agricultural topics. It also includes a welcome address by Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment and culminates in a conference dinner at the Signet library in Edinburgh.

United Auctions Master-2

Double award nomination for United Auctions

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Congratulations to agricultural client United Auctions who are in the running for two coveted national agricultural awards.

The nominations are for Livestock Supplier of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture for Executive Chairman David Leggat MBE in The Scottish Farmer’s Annual Supplier Awards 2010.

The prestigious awards, run by the weekly farming publication, attracted nominations from all over Scotland and will be announced on Thursday 24 June at the Royal Highland Show.

They recognise UA’s considerable achievements over the past 12 months. The company has opened the new £15 million Stirling Agricultural Centre – their new headquarters – and made significant investments to safeguard the future of centres at Dalmally, Lairg, Islay, Oban and Huntly.

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Big Beast Pictures celebrate Stirling’s farming heritage

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Agricultural client United Auctions is supporting Big Beast Pictures – an exhibition of animal paintings at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery. George Lyon MEP opens the exhibition tonight at a private view. We worked closely with gallery director Dr Elspeth King on the opening event and the press.

The exhibition runs from 19 June to 14 November 2010.

Online coverage so far:

Stirling Observer, 16 June 2010, Big Beasts in the Frame

Press & Journal, 19 June 2010, Farm animals in the Frame