Business Update

Further to our update on 01/04/2020, found below, here is an updated list of building suppliers The AF Group currently have access to.

Following Jewson's announcement that they are suspending all deliveries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our buildings team have negotiated that this will not include AF members as long as deliveries are made to a farm address.

Please be aware that this is for essential items only. Orders placed must be for materials that are essential requirements to the continuous running of your farm business.

All existing orders have been cancelled by Jewson, unless you have been contacted by them directly or by our office to say otherwise. New orders for essential items can now be fulfilled for our members but they must be delivered to a farm address.

This is a specific agreement for AF members only and orders must come through the office, you cannot contact branches directly.

McVeigh Parker, our national supplier for fencing, has reopened to deliver orders for farm businesses. The depots remain closed to the public.

AF now have a number of operating building materials suppliers:

Please contact the buildings team by emailing building@theafgroup.co.uk for any further information or to place an order with any of these suppliers.

During these unprecedented times, we want to ensure you that our members are at the forefront of what we do. We remain open and operational to support our farming members, keeping business moving in this challenging climate.

Our switchboard remains open and any staff we have working from home are set up to take your calls. However, remember you can contact us by using our group email addresses as listed below. These ensure your query will be picked up by multiple people quickly and efficiently, helping to minimise disruption.

cropprotection@theafgroup.co.uk
seed@theafgroup.co.uk
fertiliser@theafgroup.co.uk
livestock@theafgroup.co.uk
fuel@theafgroup.co.uk
energy@theafgroup.co.uk
machinery@theafgroup.co.uk
building@theafgroup.co.uk
generalsupplies@theafgroup.co.uk
telecoms@theafgroup.co.uk
invoices@theafgroup.co.uk
members@theafgroup.co.uk

As we continue to tackle the ongoing issues related to the coronavirus outbreak, I wanted to update you on how AF are coping.

The exceptional staff here at AF are working flat out to maintain as normal a service as possible. However, it's clear that we are not operating in a normal environment and therefore we are working with our supply-chain partners to ensure we keep business moving.

Our office remains functioning but we do have a number of staff working from home now. We have also stopped all visitors to the AF office and are following social distancing rules and the strictest hygiene practices.

We are working to ensure calls can be managed either via landline or mobile where appropriate. However, I would advise all members familiarise themselves with and make use of our group email addresses:

cropprotection@theafgroup.co.uk
seed@theafgroup.co.uk
fertiliser@theafgroup.co.uk
livestock@theafgroup.co.uk
fuel@theafgroup.co.uk
energy@theafgroup.co.uk
machinery@theafgroup.co.uk
building@theafgroup.co.uk
generalsupplies@theafgroup.co.uk
telecoms@theafgroup.co.uk
invoices@theafgroup.co.uk
members@theafgroup.co.uk

We will keep the business moving and your needs met but now, more than ever, we need everyone to work together. Therefore, please bear with us whilst we adjust and adapt to the changing environment.

I fully understand this is a challenging time for many of you so I want to thank you for continuing to farm. Everyone at AF appreciates what you do and we are here to help.

Together we will get through this stronger and better.

Best Wishes,

Jon Duffy

Working together to protect our people and support our members

As COVID-19 continues to spread and disrupt I want to reassure all those within the AF community that we are still operating as business as usual. We are working tirelessly with our supply-chain partners to ensure the products members need are available when they want them and delivered in the safest way possible.

We will be communicating to members any supply shortages or delays to delivery as and when they occur so they can minimise disruption as much as possible.

Working safely
We believe it's important that we do our part to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 which is why we have taken the following steps to protect everyone in this ever-evolving situation.

We are closely following guidance and best practices from UK health authorities including the social distancing and self-isolation measures set out by the government.

We have put a pause on all external meetings and visitors to the AF office.

Reinforced our comprehensive cleaning regimes, including asking all staff to be vigilant by washing their hands thoroughly and regularly, refraining from unnecessary gatherings and keeping all desks and work areas clean and tidy.

Better Together
While the issue of COVID-19 continues to develop rapidly, I take comfort in the fact we have an excellent team of employees and a compassionate and loyal community of members.

We are going to work together to keep our people safe and your business supported.

Jon Duffy, CEO