The Netherlands - Schippers celebrates its 40th anniversary
Published: August 1, 2007
Source : MS Schippers Europe BV
The company Schippers celebrates its 40th anniversary at the end of this year. In 1967 Martien Schippers laid down the basis of the company as it currently exists. During the last 40 years the company has grown to be the biggest player in the field of day-to-day livestock farming equipment. The current organization has developed into a very professional company with 170 employees, active in 40 countries and with an annual turnover of 60 million Euro. In 1997 his three sons Harrie, Mark and Guus took over with great success. Over the last ten years Schippers has shown average annual growth of 20%. In this anniversary year let’s take a closer look at the European market leader everyday livestock equipment .
Challenge
The success of Schippers can be attributed to an innovative and flexible attitude. Schippers is constantly occupied in improving current methods and products for livestock producers. The company’s mentality can be described as ‘no nonsense’ resulting in fast and consistent service for customers. Schippers has a young team with an average employee age of 38 years.
Schippers has evolved over the last 40 years, as has the customer, who has evolved from farmer to manager. The customer’s demand for more knowledge and better service is a constant challenge for Schippers to fulfill. Through innovation and flexibility Schippers is always a few steps ahead within the industry making the company a strong and competitive player in the field. Short communication lines and a flat organization structure are some of the important strengths.
Schippers invests substantial resources in greater knowledge by acquiring high educated people who are specialized in livestock farming. Representatives, the technical sales people in the field, as well as the internal sales department personnel are frequently being trained in several important subjects.
Collaboration with universities and institutes keeps Schippers up to date with all the latest research in all the relevant fields.
Export
Schippers started supplying goods beyond it’s native Netherlands in 1997. A much wider distribution area means a higher turnover, the inevitable decrease in costs resulting in a price competitive player.
With wholly-owned daughter companies and through the Export Department, Schippers communicates with animal producers abroad. Within the countries of the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Philippines, Canada, UK and Denmark, Schippers has its own sales offices. In other countries the Schippers Export Department ensures strong links between head office and agents, resellers and end users.
Product knowledge
Schippers has a very wide and specialized range of products for farmers. Over time, several specialized product groups have been formed, like reproduction technology, coating systems, vermin control, cleaning and disinfection and improving disease resistance with a diverse range of health enhancing products.
The Schippers representative visits animal producers on a regular basis and can call on support from both internal and external product specialists. Sharing information at an international level and collaborating with research institutes is crucial to maintaining a very comprehensive knowledge base. The right balance between practice and ‘science’ is what give great benefit to the more than 50.000 Schippers customers.
Quality assurance systems like GMP, ISO and QS are all part of the management strategy and give an important guarantee for the high standard of the products, quality and service.
Independent, quick and flexible
An in-house DTP department and own ICT department makes the Schippers organization independent, quick and flexible. The DTP department is responsible for the design of all newsletters and print work. The ICT department is made up of 5 people who are all occupied with facilitating the of information and products.
In Lommel / Belgium products are kept in a huge warehouse of more than 10.000 m2. From this distribution centre all products are directed towards the customers; within 3 working days each and every delivery is made to the ‘furthest corners’ of the European continent. To keep pace with growth and ensure a continued professional logistic service, the distribution centre will double it’s storage capacity by the end of 2007.
Future
In coming years the animal producer will remain the fundamental consideration in every decision taken by
Schippers. The aim for Schippers is expansion within the European market and abroad. This will be achieved through sales offices and collaboration with business partners so that customers get the service they expect and deserve. In the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany the main challenge for Schippers is to maintain their leading position. Schippers has a lot of work planned for the future.
And bearing that in mind, Schippers is looking forward to being your partner and continuing to lead in the supply of livestock equipment!
Source
MS Schippers Europe BVRelated topics:
Recommend
Comment
Share
Would you like to discuss another topic? Create a new post to engage with experts in the community.
Featured users in Pig Industry
