first customers was a dairy farmer

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3 Our Mission Schippers is a customer-orientated supplier of everyday equipment and health products for the livestock farmer. Schippers started in 1967 with a passion for farming. The success of Schippers can be attributed to an innovative and flexible attitude. Our goal Schippers goal is to be the most professional and reliable partner for the livestock producer and user of the livestock equipment. With fast delivery of a broad range of agricultural products, combined with skilful advice, Schippers aim is to be the customers supplier of choice. Continuous updating of new technology makes Schippers the ideal service-partner for the customer. Our dedication towards the customer The customers demand for more knowledge and better service is a continuous challenge for the Schippers organisation.the direct contact with the farmer of our sales force, together with our product specialists and advisors is the key to service a la carte. This results in the optimizing of the different farm processes such as the increase in hygiene and health standards in order to obtain a higher overall health status for the customer. Using special seminars, regularly organized for our customers, we transfer our know-how and technology. This gives Schippers a very professional relationship with the customer. Offering custom-made solutions is the key to success. A flat organisation structure and short lines of communication help to achieve this success. Our concern for our employees Schippers invests substantial resources in greater knowledge by recruiting highly educated people with knowledge of livestock farming. Our employees are given free range and independence to fully exploit their capability so that they can develop their own creativity. This enhances their personal development, creativity and professionalism, and gives them the lead over other sales people to assist the farmer with the best solutions. Our Ambition Schippers wants to be the market leader and the innovator of new technologies. Throughout Europe, we want to build up a strong market position by serving the customers via our own network. In cooperation with our suppliers/producers we want to create new products which lead to an improvement in production process on the farm. Through innovation and flexibility, the Schippers organization aims to be the key player in this field. 3

4 How it all started. Martien Schippers can still remember this as if it were yesterday. But there has never been talk of founding, because the company arose out of a passion for farming. 1966; During their courtship, Martin and Maria meet each other on Maria s home farm. With the scooter Martien was visiting the farmers and sold them sigares. ( Picture) From left to the right: Hans Kuyken, Jan Kuyken ( in the front) Martien and Maria on the scooter. Become a farmer Martien Schippers comes from a big farming family from Oerle, a small village near Eindhoven. He was the sixth of nine children. After his MULO education he went to agricultural school. Martien and his wife Maria wanted to have a livestock farm of their own like Maria s parents. All the children had to work on the farm from an early age, which they did, and some worked at a greengrocer s. After work, they all helped on the farm. But normally the farm would be passed to the oldest child, so Martien and Maria would have to buy their own. Cigar shop When he was 21 Martien got his first steady job at an A.I. station in Hilvarenbeek. Before that, he worked as temporary employee at several companies. Martien was responsible for the administration concerning the offspring of the bulls. After working there for two years the A.I. station merged with two others (Vught and Engelen). A brand new A.I.station was built in Vught for pigs and dairy cattle. This merger meant some redundancies, Martien among them. The manager of the A.I. station in Hilvarenbeek had a cigar shop in Bladel. The merger meant that he had to move to Vught. He proposed to sell his cigar shop to Martien. It was an interesting offer but Martien could not afford it. When his former boss offered a loan to Martien and Maria, they did manage after all to buy the cigar shop. Innovative Shortly after buying their shop, Martien and Maria got married. Maria worked in the shop all day while Martien went visiting farmers and sold some cigars. In 1968 the twins Harrie and Guus were born, just one year later, Mark was born too. It was normal for owners of grocery stores to visit farmers to sell their groceries. Farmers only visited the village on Sunday, to go to church. Another reason for these weekend visits was the lack of transport. For Martien this was the main reason to visit the farmers himself. This was a very good way of selling, and Martien began to sell other items as well as cigars. One of Martien s first customers was a dairy farmer 1973; The opening of the petshop for small pets. This was also the location for the sigars shop (Picture) from left to the right: Martien, Maria, Mark, Harrie and Guus. 4

5 who was no longer able to recognise all his dairy cows individually. Martien found a small plastic label with a number written on it, that was tied to the animal with string, and this made life for that dairy farmer a lot easier! During these visits, Martien was often asked questions, and he kept looking for solutions. He learnt a lot about farmers, and from farmers. When a new or improved product was introduced, Martien was very happy to show it to the farmers. This way, he developed several new articles. For example, new-born piglets teeth were clipped, often with very rusty clippers. Martien invented an electric device, using a Dremel drill, to grind off the teeth. He was also the first person to use an electric tail-docker for docking piglets tails. This was developed from a device used for cutting synthetic rope. Both of these items brought a big improvement in animal health and welfare. Challenge Martien s flexible and systematic attitude gradually built him a client file. He never lost a new customer! Livestock farmers awaited his visits, because he nearly always had something new and exciting to show them. Because of his fanaticism, he saw it as his job to show new ideas to his customers as soon as possible. It was Martien s mission in life to help to make farmers lives easier and more enjoyable. Often, Martien showed his customers how his invention of a particular article could make them rich. And many times, it was really true! He looked upon his work more as a hobby than a job. Even at weekends, farmers would come to visit Martien and his wife, to discuss all kinds of things. Martien s wife, Maria was, and still is, completely supportive, and so Martien got the time and the freedom to do whatever he thought was good. Very quickly they expanded into Belgium. In the meantime many Belgian farmers came to Bladel to see Martien and buy agricultural equipment, but the frontier was a big problem. In 1973 during the oil crisis they moved to a bigger building in Bladel. Here they started a pet shop. What Martien was doing for the farm animals, Maria did for family pets. The Poultry Days in Geel (Belgium) was one of the first exhibitions where Martien took a stand. The company grew steadily and each of their 3 sons got their own areas after a few years. Things were good, but than Martien had a brain haemorrhage when he was 50 years old. His chances of a complete recovery were given as small, he may not get better at all. They considered selling the business. To Martien s great pleasure, Harrie, Guus and Mark wanted to continue the business. Because Martien wasn t available anymore, his 3 sons directed their 10 employees and the business carried on. The sons had (and still have) everything under control and they were really enjoying running the business. Then a miracle happened and Martien recuperated completely after about 3 months. Start of export Martien and his wife Maria decided to start travelling. Not just travelling but visiting agricultural exhibitions all over the world! Doing this they explored the world, and enjoyed a holiday when there was no exhibition. They found dealers and agents to carry out their concept. When they did not know the language, they hired a translator. The journey started by car. They went to Paris, Barcelona, Santarem, Galicia, Stoneleigh, Hannover, Poznan and many other places in Europe. In the second year they travelled to many places outside Europe. From Johannesburg to Peking and from Manila to Toronto and Bangkok. Visiting exhibitions worldwide led to many new products and meeting a lot of people. This led to the import and export departments of Schippers. The sons Harrie, Guus and Mark grew up with a passion for this work. Today they lead the Schippers company with the same enthusiasm for making Schippers one of the largest suppliers of everyday livestock equipment, along with a good team which enjoy their work! Happiness came after an accident After working together for about 4 years, Maria in the cigar shop and Martien on the road visiting farms, they recruited their first employee. He started in the Kempen but he got such a lot of work that they divided the Netherlands into different areas. Each area meant another representative. 1973; This is the Sigar corner in the pet shop. The flowers, a present for the opening, are still there. Harrie and Guus are staying in front 5

6 Schippers Bladel BV (Netherlands) Situated since: 1967 Aerea manager: Mark Schippers Number of employees: 64 Schippers GmbH (Germany) Situated since: 1995 Aerea manager: Guus Schippers Number of employees: 22 Schippers BVBA (Belgium) Situated since: 1980 Aerea manager: Harrie Schippers Number of employees: 18 Schippers France SarL (France) Situated since: 1998 Aerea manager: Wilfried Berckmoes Number of employees: 7 6

7 Schippers Agricola S.L. (Spain) Situated since: 2001 Aerea manager: Ceryl de Veer Number of employees: 6 Schippers Canada LTD (Canada) Situated since: 2004 Aerea manager: Mathijn Veldhuis Number of employees: 4 Schippers Philippines Inc. (Philippines) Situated since: 2001 Landenmanager: Nathalie C. Teng Number of employees: 5 Schippers Italia Srl. (Italy) Situated since: 2002 Landenmanager: John van den Nobelen Number of employees: 6 7

8 SCHIPPERS EXPORT BV Schippers started supplying goods outside its home country, the Netherlands in A much wider distribution area brings a higher turnover, the inevitable decrease in costs resulting in a more competitive player. With wholly-owned daughter companies as well as the Export Department, Schippers is in direct contact with livestock farmers abroad. Schippers has its own sales offices within the countries of the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Philippines, Canada, UK, and Denmark. In other countries the Schippers Export Department ensures strong links between head office and agents, resellers and end users. Over 30 countries are actively supported by our Export Department. These countries make intensive use of the knowledge and skills of the Schippers Group. Dealers organize technical seminars in collaboration with colleagues from Schippers Export BV. But there are also farm visits taking place, so that we can talk directly to end users, knowledge transfer and product training with dealers and agents. In addition, the Export Department takes part in many trade exhibitions world wide. All this is done to fortify and boost long term relationships. Thanks to this collaboration, Schippers experience from all over the world helps to optimise the performance of all farmer clients everywhere, and a continuous process delivers appropriate solutions to the demands of specific markets. Our product groups Reproduction and Hygiene, both terms being used in the broadest sense of the words, are particularly successful abroad. Schippers aim is expansion within the European market and beyond. This will be achieved through our own sales offices as well as by extension and strengthening of current relationships. Constant growth of our worldwide distribution area will continuously strengthen the position of the Schippers Group. Luc Willekens Head of Export Department 8

9 Fa. Sapro HandelsGmBH (Austria) P. Lindberg A.S. (Danmark) Rotech Livestock Equipment Ltd. (United Kingdom + Ireland) Greenker 2005 GmbH (Hongary) SC Sanovet Srl (Romania) Viand JSC (Bulgaria) Eurotechnn (Russia) JSC Biostream (Russia) Lounaisfarmi Oy (Finland) Panchris Feeds Ltd (Cyprus) Beit Eres (Israel) Proam d.o.o. (Serbia) Dinazoo Lda (Portugal) Zoonet S.A. (Greece) Tetoros Bros S.A. (Greece) Gumex Eko (Croatia) Progresivno Farmarstvo d.o.o. (Croatia) Yang (South Korea) Euro Care S. de R. L. de C.V. (Mexico) Agrotehcentre Ukraine Ltd (Oekrain) Gorst & Co (Oekrain) Hallar SPOL S.R.O. (Slowakia) Avypor Ltda (Colombia) Stefan Boog/Schippers Export BV (Switzerland) Katja-Maarit Lepisto/Schippers Export BV (Finland) Jens- Ole Laustsen/Schippers Export BV (Sweden) 9

10 Schippers Europe BV employs several product specialists. These specialists are responsible for product development and improvement and are assisting our sales people on the road with back-up and transfer of know-how. Automatic cleaning robot Clever Cleaner Specialist Ab Haak has many years experience as a sales representative, which stands him in good stead to give advice about cleaning with the automatic Clever Cleaner, a robot for cleaning animal pens. He is able to demonstrate the robot and is also responsible for after sales service. The Clever Cleaner is an environmentally friendly device which avoids a lot of manual and boring labour, and so cleans better than manual cleaning. The Clever Cleaner is set up using by a simple joy stick and is always ready to be used, year after year. A.I. Specialist Ron Ijpelaar has worked as an AI specialist for 16 years. In the year 2000 he became the AI specialist for Schippers Europe BV. His job is to transfer his knowledge of AI to sales people and even more important, to farmers around the globe. A.I. is fundamental to every pig farm. Ron is not only involved in sales, he also assists farmers to set up their own on-farm AI system. Training and knowledge transfer is especially important in this field. Development of new products and practical assistance with A.I. can make a significant difference to any pig farm. All used materials are comprehensively tested in practice before they are offered to the market. Ron is constantly assessing new materials as well as developing relations with farmers. Product specialist water quality & hygiene Henk Willemsen has a lot of practical experience because he has been a sales representative for Schippers for many years. During that time, Henk has specialised in all aspects of drinking water systems and drinking water quality. Drinking water is one of the major points of attention in animal husbandry. Water is a basic element for good health status on the farm. Schippers offers a complete range of products to improve the water quality on your farm, and Henk can give you all the advice you will need in any situation to improve the performance of your livestock. Hoof care specialist Isidoor Verwayen has many years of experience as a self-employed hoof specialist. He has also worked for Schippers as a sales reprsentative for cattle products. If you any problems with the hooves of your animals, Mortellaro or anything else, Isodoor is the person to call. Schippers has a complete range of hoof-care products, which, with Isodor s help and advice, will be able to solve all your hoof problems in the most economical way. Animal Health Additives Specialist Pascal Philipsen was working as a technical product manager in the acidifiers industry for many years before he joined Schippers. His speciality is to improve animal health using natural ingredients to replace anti-biotic growth promoters. It is very beneficial if the health status of livestock can be improved using natural products if possible. Pascal is also a specialist in wet feed acids. He has particular knowledge of Goldfeed, Wetfeed, Ferrosol and KetoProtect. Personal protection specialist Joost Hermans, together with his colleagues Linda Evers and Edwin Heesterbeek, are the people to call concerning personal safety equipment. Safety Products Europe BV, a company fully owned by Schippers, mostly sells to industrial customers. Joost is constantly keeping himself up to date with the latest developments, but also keeps abreast of Health and safety legislation so he can advise employers. Training, both theoretical as well as practical are two major points that Joost promotes. Apart from that, Joost trains our sales representatives so that they are able to advise workers in the pork and dairy industries. Major products lines in the Health and Safety category are airmasks, ear and face protection, eye protection and footwear. Coating Specialist Danny Arts has been employed by the company as a specialist in coatings for 7 years. Coating or treatment of walls and flooring in the agricultural industry, are his speciality. Coating extends the life time of flooring and walls, and also makes cleaning easier and will promote better hygiene on the farm because it prevents dust and dirt from penetrating the walls and flooring. There are several kinds of coatings and Danny is always willing to give you the best advice. Vermin control specialist Thomas Prol is located in Kerken, Germany, from where he advises our salespeople about pest control. Pest control is a subject which is different for every farm. Almost every farm suffers for one reason or another from mice, rats, flies and other vermin. To enable the remedy to be effective, it will be very important that each farm has its own individual pest control plan. Experience has shown us that such a plan will improve pest control. Specialist fire extinguishers Richard Cox is our product specialist responsible for fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers have to be checked and certified annually, and Richard looks after this service. It always feels good to know your safety equipment is in good order. 10

11 Dear Guest, How can we be sure to be successful in our second 40 years? This is a major item on the agenda of our management team. In the past, the growth of our company has been the result of our passion for farming. We always like to work together with our customers and we know that that is the only way we can remain innovative and flexible. Our target is to improve efficiency and productivity on the farm with innovative products. We are pleased to celebrate our 40th anniversary and we would like to thank you for the trust you place in our company. Without you it would be impossible to have grown into the international company that we are now. We hope to welcome you in 40 years time for our 80th anniversary! The management We must specialise within our organisation to keep functioning as a professional partner. Over the years, several specialized product groups have been formed; these include Reproduction Technology, Coating Systems, Vermin Control, Cleaning and Disinfection and improving disease resistance with a diverse range of health enhancing products. Over the last ten years Schippers has shown average annual growth of 20%. To keep achieving this growth and to continue improving our customer service, we are working on a totally new infrastructure for the organisation. For example our Logistics Department in Belgium will be increased to 20,000 m2, and we will make a totally revised, user-friendly website. This will improve our efficiency and enable us to better process approximately 125,000 orders per year. We are always looking for new, innovative products, and we will extend our range of approximately 15,000 products in the future. You will probably have noticed our new logo; in the future you will see this more and more on our packaging. During the coming years, we will extend our dealer network by way of new collaborations around the world. In addition, we are looking for new sales offices in China, Denmark and Great Britain. Also our head office in Bladel (The Netherlands) is becoming too small, so a new building is coming soon. The current organization has developed into a very professional company with 170 employees. The flexibility and professionalism of our employees is very important to our company. We will thank all our employees for their efforts over the last years. 11

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