Suffolk-based pig equipment company, Quality Equipment, has just notched up over £250,000 worth of high-tech exports to Japan.
In the last two years, more than 200 automatic feeders for young pigs have been delivered. The last consignment followed a visit by Glyn Baker and Michael Mattmuller, of Quality Equipment, to their Japanese distributor, Global Pig Farms.
Global Pig Farms had earlier purchased the Transition feeders and found they were so successful they started supplying them to other pig farmers.
The award-winning feeders were developed by Quality Equipment’s own R & D department at their Woolpit manufacturing base. They have an intelligent control mechanism which helps newly-weaning young piglets make the transition from mother’s milk to solid feed. Piglets are vulnerable at this stage and the feeders provide a warm gruel on a little-and-often basis, mimicking the sow’s own feeding pattern.
The feeders have since sold all over the world.
The aim of the Japanese visit was to strengthen the relationship, get a better picture of Japanese requirements and provide technical backup.
“While UK pig farmers have strict legislation the Japanese have obstacles, particularly in relation to feed and water quality, which are frightening by comparison. Global Pig Farms has secured rewards despite constraints by supporting its farmers and producing a special brand of pork”
Due to the continued demand for Paneltim plastic panels for piggeries, Suffolk-based equipment supplier and manufacturer Quality Equipment has invested more than £75,000 in a new saw and automated welder, specially designed to deal with plastic.
Quality Equipment has always prided itself on being a down-to-earth company. This was certainly the case for seven members of staff who got their hands – and everything else – dirty while taking part in the Only The Brave mud obstacle run. The event took place at Elveden Estates, near Thetford on Sunday 2nd April.
The aim was to raise £500 for the company’s favoured charity, the East Anglian Air Ambulance service. Pledges at over £1,000 have more than doubled this sum. A team of seven took part, plus two non-QE staff, with some tackling the five-mile and others braving the ten-mile course with over 40 obstacles!
Due to increased demand for Paneltim by pig farmers, Quality Equipment has extended its storage area by 220m² (2368 sq ft) at its Woolpit, Suffolk, base.
This will enable the company to stock an extra 5,000m² (53,819 sq ft) of the plastic panel, widely used in piggeries, particularly for pen division and gates. It offers substantial benefits in terms of strength and hygiene over many traditional materials.
