24 Dec 2012

Co-op business model seen as thriving

7:54 am on 24 December 2012

The co-operative business model is thriving, and Cooperatives Business New Zealand now has up to 30 firms considering becoming members.

Co-operatives, which are owned and run jointly by their members, are outnumbered by sole traders, partnerships and limited liability companies.

Chairman Blue Read, who's just been elected to board of Fonterra, which is also a co-operative, says interest has been strong this year, varying from language translation services to coffee retailers.

He said the co-operative way which ensures that those who participate and put the money up get the benefits is a very strong business model and is particularly suited to primary producers.