SAOS

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We are Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration. We're to shape the future of farming and food.

What can we do for you? Experts on co-operative and collaborative strategies, structures and management, we get people more effectively in a host of ways. Our key work streams are agricultural co-operation and food industry collaboration and our work has expanded into data gathering and translation, climate change response, innovation, research and new technology. We are available to assist co-ops and other organisations in a wide variety of ways. Find out more at www.saos.coop

13/08/2026

THIS PAGE IS NO LONGER IN USE

Please follow our new Ltd page for all our news and views at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593244320136

At SAOS we work within the food and farming sector to make it
more profitable, competitive and sustainable.

13/08/2026

WE'VE MOVED!

Please follow the SAOS Ltd page at: https://www.facebook.com/share/1TNKxs9xnB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

At SAOS we work within the food and farming sector to make it
more profitable, competitive and sustainable.

13/08/2026

Scotland’s food and drink manufacturers are under pressure, and is becoming ever more vital.

But what does resilience actually look like?

Research from SAOS’s supply chain team found that strong performance in the features shown here indicate the most resilient sectors. (Basically, the higher a sector scores and the better they do in these areas, the more resilient they are.)

If you’d like to learn more, contact: [email protected]

And watch out for more news on our work, coming soon!

10/08/2026

Our Supply Chain team is a core area of SAOS, but what does their work involve?

Here are just a few of the many areas and topics that they focus on – all with the purpose to develop co-operative, sustainable and resilient Scottish food and drink supply chains!

10/08/2026

Strong words from our CEO, Tim Bailey:

"The time for talking and warm words is over!!

Virtually everyone agrees we need more and better co-operation to capitalise on market opportunities, develop more local supply chains, support small producers, increase food security and tackle climate and nature emergencies.

Yet few if any policies, programmes or initiatives actively incentivise it. Some even exclude it...

Real-life anomalies called out in this piece in the SAOS Update.

Its time for change, real change if we want to make a real difference to our farming and rural communities."

05/08/2026

We were excited to see our co-op member, ANM Group, unveil its long-term vision to regenerate, modernise and futureproof the Thainstone Centre.

As part of ANM’s wider work to explore the future potential of the site, SAOS provided support through our Co-op Support Service. We carried out market research to help ANM examine possible commercial uses for underutilised areas of the centre.

The research explored the types of businesses, services and activities that could complement the Centre’s existing agricultural activities, while helping to attract new visitors and customers.

https://www.anmarts.co.uk/anm-group-unveils-ambitious-plans-to-modernise-thainstone/

We're so proud of our co-ops and their and we're always keen to help. If you're a member with an idea you'd like to explore, get in touch with any member of the Co-op Team for an initial discussion on shaping your own vision for the future.

works

ANM Group has unveiled its Thainstone Vision plans, setting out a long-term programme of investment that will modernise Scotland’s leading agricultural hub.

31/07/2026

Animal feed is one of 7 key opportunities that our Supply Chain Team has identified when it comes to reducing imports.

Around 3bn worth of animal feed is imported into the UK annually and Scotland stands for ~15% of that.

We’re working hard to enable more feed ingredients to be grown sustainably and viably in Scotland and the UK – contact Linden if you’d like to know more!

30/07/2026

If you ate today, thank a farmer!

We're so proud of our co-op members today and every day - what they produce by is amazing!

In addition to the figures below, we have other members who produce beef and lamb, shellfish, daffodils, fruit and veg, even timber!

And other members supply these farmers and growers with services and inputs - marketing their produce, arranging machinery to help their harvest, as well as supplying animal feed, farm inputs and diesel and electricity for their businesses.

works - today and every day!

30/07/2026

Interested in learning more about Scotland’s food and drink supply chains?

We've been working with key partners to map the supply chains – key insights, trends, challenges and opportunities – for 22 industry sectors!!

Updated twice a year, each supply chain map comes in a ~30 slide PPT format or summarised as an infographic such as the one below.

From animal feed and aquaculture to pork and poultry – we have them all! Check them out at: https://saos.coop/what-we-do/supply-chain-development/supply-chain-insights-sector-supply-chain-maps/

And contact Patricia Rojas [email protected] if you’d like to know more.

Address

Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston
Newbridge
EH288NZ

Website

http://saos.coop/

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