Membership is diverse, and attracts those with a long-term commitment to the future of the industry, and to the objectives of MDS Ltd. Inquiries are welcomed from any fresh food or fresh produce-based organisation, which meets the following guidelines:

Outline summary of criteria:

• Trading for at least five years and able to provide previous three years’ accounts.
• Based in the UK.
• Top-level responsibility for the MDS Ltd relationship (director or senior manager).
• A clear management structure with a minimum of 10 permanent/salaried staff.
• Able to show core management staff/range of management functions.
• Ability and willingness to provide a balanced range of secondments (two each year).
• Commitment to meet MDS Ltd credit terms.
• Health and safety policy in place, as well as risk assessments and appropriate training, specific to the job, for all activities involving trainees.
• Commitment in providing a secondment manager to act as a mentor for the trainee whilst on secondment. Allowing the secondment manager to attend MDS Ltd development days.

Membership is open to organisations involved in any aspect of the supply chain, from SMEs to multi-nationals. Existing members range from annual turnover of £6.5 million to over £100 million.

Applications are subject to approval by the Board of Directors after full consultation with the membership.