'It is the fourth time that Big Dutchman as the world's leading equipment supplier for modern pig and poultry production holds the top position of the image ranking of this sector,' states the DLG analysis. The long-time winners from northern Germany were also considered as 'especially innovative' by the questioned livestock producers and received the highest score in this category. The study, which an entire industry eagerly awaits every year, was recently published on the occasion of a DLG exhibitor meeting in Osnabrück in Germany.

The industry ranking is based on interviews with 307 leading German farm managers from all areas of agriculture. The statisticians noted both the concrete rating as well as freely-supplied information about which company delivers reliable technology and quickly solves everyday problems in the barn. In the market segment 'technology for livestock housing systems', Big Dutchman received both the highest number of nominations and the best ratings and, in regard to performance.

Other companies from the administrative district of Vechta, such as the engineering company Maschinenbau GmbH Meyer-Lohne and the agricultural machinery manufacturer Grimme from Damme also appear in the top ten of the industry barometer. They have also moved up considerably in the ranking even though they did not quite reach the top three yet, this year.

An additional cause of joy for Big Dutchman was that, for the first time ever, the northern German company achieved first place in the collective category 'Top Company'.

CEO, Bernd Meerpohl, commented on the study: "This is, of course, a success shared by all departments and staff and is, furthermore, tremendously motivating for every member of the large Big Dutchman family."

The results showed how much trust the farmers have in the company.

He added: "We want to keep earning this trust. These fantastic results, therefore, come with an obligation to get better every day."

The full DLG-Image-Barometer can be viewed by clicking here.

In addition, the farmers surveyed had to rank the company web sites. Big Dutchman ranked top in this category as well.