Ince, UK-GrowHow UK reports that after an in-depth review of supply chain costs, it closed its wholesale operations in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, effective Oct. 20, 2008. The move reflects increasingly challenging markets and the company’s increasing focus on efficient ammonium nitrate and granular NPK production at its Ince and Billingham facilities in Great Britain. “This move is regrettable,” said Richard Huxtable, GrowHow’s sales manager. “However, following the cessation of supply options from Denmark and Belgium it has been increasingly difficult to supply the needs of Irish markets efficiently – particularly as fertilizer markets become more volatile and logistics costs rise. We have timed our announcement to enable farmers and merchants to make alternative arrangements well ahead of the new season and thus to avoid unnecessary disruption to supplies in the spring.” GrowHow employs two business managers in Ireland, and discussion on their future roles is underway.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain