YOUR LOCAL FARMING CO-OP
Mr Lyle Shipard, a Gibson farmer, formed Esperance Organised Purchasing Power (EOPP) in 1971. The main objective of EOPP was, and still is, to provide volume discounted farm merchandise to primary producers in Esperance, Ravensthorpe, the Lakes District and the Goldfields at a time when there was little competition in the rural retail sector. A Committee was set up to negotiate supply contracts and enroll members. This Committee was elected annually and Members paid an annual subscription. Initially, EOPP negotiated with the independent retailer Special Buying Services for the supply of farm merchandise to its members. Special Buying Service was also employed as the billing agent for EOPP. In 1997, EOPP officially became a co-operative under the name of Esperance Organised Primary Producers Co-operative Limited. The co-operative was formed in order to provide an improved business base for the operations of EOPP. The former Members of EOPP became shareholders in the Co-operative and were each issued with 400 $1 shares; there were 931 shareholders listed in the original Share Register. In 2001, EOPP decided not to continue with IAMA as their billing agent. Instead, they employed the services of Capricorn Society Limited to carry out the billing services. Due to the success of Capricorn Society as the billing agent, in 2002 EOPP was able to pay an inaugural Trading Rebate back to its active financial members. This Trading Rebate amounted to 2% of sales on the EOPP Card. Also in 2002, EOPP had an opportunity to purchase a share of a new and independent rural merchandise outlet. They took this opportunity and became a 50% shareholder of Farm & General EOPP. In 2005, EOPP decided not to continue with Capricorn Society Limited as their billing agent and brought the billing back to Esperance. In 2012, EOPP moved from the WA Companies (Co-operative) Act 1943-82 to the WA Co-operatives Act 2009. This moved required a change in the rules of EOPP and for the co-operative to redeem the shares of all shareholders who no longer met the rule of active member; spend $200 in a rolling period of 24 months. Apart from being a buying group and billing agent, EOPP has also facilitated a Meat Value Adding Group and a Grain Value Adding Group; have been repeat sponsors of the Esperance Rural Leadership Course; have donated funds to Esperance Districts Agcare, to help them continue their services in the Esperance area; have sponsored the Rural Women’s Study Tour for 2003, have supported BlazeAid and the Cascade Scaddan Fire Review. In addition to the sponsorship of the Rural Women’s Study Tour, EOPP managed the finances of the 2003 Tour. In December 2023, EOPP now has just under 450 shareholders and has over 30 Approved Suppliers who provide goods and services that range from groceries, flowers and gifts to building products, machinery & automotive parts, tyres, steel products and fabrication. Being a member of EOPP is not only a cost effective decision but also helps to ensure the continued progress of rural Esperance & Districts. Membership of EOPP Co-operative Ltd is not restricted to any particular area or demographic and the only specification being you must become a shareholder of EOPP Co-operative Ltd. The initial cost of becoming an EOPP member is $100 for the purchase of 100 Shares (minimum requirement) and
$55 for the annual Membership fee; the membership year is July to June
The advantages of an EOPP card are the price savings at invoicing suppliers, the consolidation of your purchases into one statement and thus only one payment each month, the ability to use the card at statewide and national outlets of participating suppliers, and cash discounts at the cash only suppliers. An outline of how we work:
• EOPP has an agreement with the suppliers to supply goods/services to our members,
• The members purchase what they require and have it charged to the EOPP account,
• At the end of each month the supplier will send EOPP a list of the invoices charged to our account. From these lists we ascertain which invoices belong to which member, place these invoices on to a single statement and send it to the member;
Advantages:
• The supplier only has to produce one statement for all the transactions made by EOPP Members
• The EOPP Member only has one statement, and thus one payment, for all transactions made with EOPP suppliers.
• Each year, the EOPP Member has the possibility of receiving a Trading Rebate on all purchases. When a member no longer wishes to participate in EOPP the shares can be sold or redeemed by the co-operative. Every application for share purchase and membership is dealt with on a case by case basis; this also applies with share redemptions and/or transfers. For all queries &/or questions, please contact Helen on 90712564.
