A Highland company which provides training, labour and machinery for agriculture is set to benefit from a funding boost from HIE Inverness and East Highland local enterprise company.

Highland Business Services Ring Ltd (HBS Ring Ltd), formed in 2001 has received the £25,000 building grant which will go towards the construction of a new office block. 

Work has recently started on the construction of a 60ft x 40ft permanent office block on a half acre site at Glaikmore, near North Kessock. HBS aim to move into their new accommodation at the end of June. 

HBS Ring Ltd is an amalgamation of three companies - Highland Machinery Ring, Highland Farmers and Highland Agricultural Labour Services.  They were brought together to be more efficient and cost effective and to offer their full range of services under one roof. 

The new company acts as an agent and allows its members to source the use of agricultural machinery, labour and commodities such as feed barley, silage, hay and straw from other supplier members. HBS also supplies seeds, agrichemicals, fuels and animal health products.

The company is the largest agricultural training provider in the Highlands, offering a wide range of short courses to its members, including, chainsaw, forklift, ATV and first aid courses.

Confirming the grant, Jean Wood, a development manager with HIE Inverness and East Highland said:  "The agriculture industry remains a key part of the economy of the Highlands and Islands.  We are pleased to award such an ambitious and successful company a grant towards the cost of a new office block, which is necessary in terms of the development of the business."
 
Alan McLean, general manager of HBS Ring Ltd said:  "We are absolutely delighted to receive this grant.  The funding package is very important to HBS Ring Ltd and will help to take the company forward to its next stage"

Three additional members of staff have already been taken on due to the company's recent growth. With almost 700 businesses and individuals currently members of the Ring, the company recently launched a new website, to assist with its rapidly expanding membership. See: www.hbsring.co.uk

HBS Ring Ltd also provides services to Skye Machinery Ring, the Caithness Machinery Ring and to Argyll and Islands Rural Business Ring.