Big Dutchman

Big Dutchman is a family business headquartered in Vechta-Calveslage, Germany, that designs and implements feeding systems and housing equipment for modern pig and poultry production, with greenhouse construction and insect farming as recent business units. The company states that farmers around the world rely on its high-tech farming solutions for protein and plants, and that it promotes animal-friendly and sustainable solutions. It reports more than 3,500 colleagues connecting 45 nations on seven continents, and describes itself as a trademark for lasting quality, reliable service and unsurpassed know-how in more than 150 countries and across five continents.

Big Dutchman has been designing and implementing feeding systems and housing equipment for modern pig and poultry production since 1938. In 1958 the company embarked on expansion to Europe. In 1963 Josef Meerpohl sold his business to Big Dutchman but remained the appointed executive director of the new subsidiary in Calveslage. In 1968 co-founders Jack and Dick DeWitt sold the company to US Industries, a business conglomerate quoted on the stock exchange, and Big Dutchman launched the first liquid feeding system for pigs. The DeWitt brothers retired in 1972. In 1980 a hostile take-over enabled British Hanson Trust to become owner of US Industries and thus also owner of Big Dutchman. Following a management buyout in 1985, Josef Meerpohl became the owner of Big Dutchman, and Calveslage became the international head office. In 1987 Big Dutchman launched the first Natura aviary system for laying hens in Switzerland. The holding company Big Dutchman Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1992. In 2010 Big Dutchman presented the farm management system BigFarmNet. In 2012 the concept study "Pig Production 2030" visualised the future of modern pig production. Big Dutchman celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2013. In 2015 the organisational structure was revised, creating the three separate business units Egg, Poultry and Pig. The new test centre was inaugurated in Calveslage in 2017. In 2022 the Big Dutchman family consisted of 200 agencies in 80 countries, eight regional head offices, more than two dozen further offices and 3,260 employees, and turnover crossed the threshold of EUR 1 billion for the first time. In 2023 Big Dutchman turned 85.

High-tech farming solutions for protein and plants; animal-friendly and sustainable solutions; world market leader.

• MalePan

  Feed pan developed for providing broiler breeder males with a targeted and reliable supply of feed.

• BigFarmNet

  Farm management system presented in 2010.

• Natura

  First aviary system for laying hens, launched in Switzerland in 1987.

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