Another factor has since come to fore for the producer, the confidence in the trading business of OTK, and the reduction in the farmer’s production cost, by purchasing her/his farming necessities from her/his own co-operative. The unlimited responsibility under the existing system, however, was a major stumbling block. Several producers have remained outside, remembering the failure of unlimited agricultural societies in the past. The OTK performed a ground breaking work on the area. With the help of Mr Raymond Steyn of the Auditors Firm, the unrestricted association was liquidated in 1936, and a company with limited liability was established. Members of the old Association agreed that their share in the paid-up form of share capital of the limited company could be allocated to them in the reserve fund. The period of exceptional growth and prosperity in the period of exceptional growth and prosperity in the history of OTK, in fact, dates only from this stage. Extension, by the inclusion of Middelburg in 1935 and Ermelo in 1937, had already taken place. With OTK maturing in 1944, the membership stood nearly at 7 000 and the capital reserves at more than £100 000. The few facts reflect in short, a summary of OTK’s origin, growth and expansion. Already in 1944 it was predicted that OTK would still reach great heights. Its strength lied mainly in 7 000 co-operators’ organised power, capital strength, its vast territory and its possibility for service delivery. The total turnover since 1948 increased from R39 228 144 to R2 557 016 865 in 1978. This figure speaks of prosperity and progress. Significant enhancement was found within the structure of OTK since 1944, and different sections are summarised as follows: OTK main building front extension Trading The trading section of OTK was initially a branch of the products handling, but later became an independent department with a turnover of R100 million per year. Of the 37 branches, were a wide range of farming necessities are provided, most had already switchover to self-service system. Although the policy of no credit was initially applicable, the farming industry soon showed that credit is a critical requirement. Today credit play an important role in the trade, and an outstanding feature of OTK’s credit system is that there are very few bad debts that are written off; an indication of good faith and support by members 83 towards OTK. With the establishment of the Cooperation on April 5, 1923, there was not real estate or buildings available where ordinary business transactions could be conducted. The first officer had his administrative duties as well as personnel issues, performed in a small room. Today, after seventy-five years, the organisation has more than a thousand white employees. With the growth of the organization taking place: systematic delineation of duties and the creation of various departments in subdivisions. A Personnel Division, stock department, building department, insurance division and its own printing plant was established.
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