A 12% increase in sales of robotic and dairy farm management systems helped Lely increase its turnover to €506 million last year. Much of the increased growth was realised in North America, Japan and western Europe, with more business done during the second half of 2017.
Following the sale of its grassland equipment division to AGCO last year, Lely’s focus is now 100% on developing new robotic technologies and management systems for dairy farms. To this end, the Dutch family business spent 6% of its 2017 turnover on R+D (similar amount reserved for 2018).
Despite a slight dip in milk prices, the company expects sales to increase this year. This will partly be the result of a continued recovery in customers’ willingness to invest and the introduction of important new products. Some of the first are expected to break cover at the Lely Future Farm days later this week; a week-long event to mark the company’s 70th anniversary.
