At Cotton Abbotts Farm, dairy farmer Andrew Walley faced a challenge. His once-productive farm had become outdated and labour-intensive. With a bold vision to revolutionise his operations, Andrew embarked on an ambitious journey to modernise his farm.
Innovation Meets Tradition at Cotton Abbotts Farm
Industry: AgricultureHis vision was clear: transform his traditional setup into an automated system that would capture more milk from happier cows while reducing reliance on labour. However, such a transformation required significant investment and the right financial support.
Enter GEA, a leader in robotic milking technology, and DLL, a financial solutions provider. Together, they devised a customised financial and installation plan to bring Andrew's vision to life. Over three phases, ten GEA robotic milking machines were installed, making this the largest GEA robot milking installation in the United Kingdom to date.
From the outset, DLL was invested. Sue Baker, Program Manager at DLL recalled,
From my first visit to Cotton Abbotts Farm and meeting Andrew, I took time to understand his vision for the future. I then designed a solution with our commercial finance team so that we could pay GEA at key stages of the project, while also supporting Andrew's all-important cash flow during the building and installation phases."
The results were transformative. The GEA robots allowed the cows to milk on their own schedule, leading to happier and more productive cows. The staff also benefited from improved working conditions and better hours. "We have never looked back," Andrew noted.
With the flexibility provided by DLL's Staged Payment Plan, Andrew could align his cash flow with the farm's needs, adapting seamlessly to the modern milking approach. This project marked a milestone for GEA, highlighting the importance of discussing finance options early to ensure customer confidence.
The partnership with GEA is hugely important to DLL, and this deal is a great demonstration of what can be achieved when we work together. We understand that every customer's requirements are different, and we provide the knowledge and flexibility to structure deals to meet their needs."
said Paul Bundock, VP Program Management at DLL.
The success at Cotton Abbotts Farm showcases the value of efficiency and consistency. With GEA's advanced technology and DLL's tailored financing, Andrew Walley transformed his farm, delivering better welfare for the herd and growth for the business.
If you would like to know more about how DLL can help your company and support your growth strategy, contact us directly and one of our industry experts will reach out. We are happy to discuss the possibilities with you.