During a press meeting in Rotterdam, Henk Kwakman, CEO of CA FNZ, and Alexander van der Lely, CEO of the Lely Group, have announced the foundation of a joint venture. Thanks to this joint venture - under the name Lely CA - cattle farmers all over the world can rely on a professional team of sale advisors boasting milking technology expertise as well as know-how in the field of consumables.

Lely and CA FNZ-Agri have been co-operating in various areas for a number of years. In 2001 a joint venture was set up for the sales of consumables through the Lely network. In 2007 CA FNZ started a Lely Center (a concept for sales and servicing of all barn products, developed by Lely); in addition, both companies set up a joint Lely Center. In that year Lely also took a minority interest in Promleko, a company that had been set up in Poland by CA FNZ and Ecolab. Initially, this business was active in sales of consumables, but currently it also focuses on the distribution of Lely's roughage harvesting machines.

Both companies perceive opportunities in the yearly enhancing scale enlargement of dairy businesses, which leads to an increasing demand for process automation and technical innovations.

Alexander van der Lely: 'Obviously, we too notice that cattle farmers are reluctant in their investments. Nevertheless, also at the present time, cattle farmers who take a long-term view make choices for investments in their future. And in that context, efficiency remains a decisive factor. Due to the enhancement of our product range, we can serve those cattle farmers even better, not just with products but with expertise as well.' Henk Kwakman adds: 'Over the years, we have carefully extended our co-operation with Lely. This partnership has strengthened the market positions of both Lely and CA FNZ during that period. Further intensifying this co-operation, especially in a time of shifting markets, is a logical choice. In doing so, we meet the requirement of today's cattle farmer, who likes us to play an increasing partner role in managing his dairy farm; sustainability of production means and monitoring milk production and milk quality are key to this pursuit.'

An improved financial and social wellbeing for the dairy farmer and his family are key focal points for Lely and CA FNZ. Both companies put in optimum efforts - in terms of both products and service - to contribute towards that objective. By means of this joint venture, the two companies are fully poised to meet demands of cattle farmers worldwide and to support them - with enhanced expertise - in improving their milk production as well as milk quality.

About the Lely Group
Lely aims all of its efforts on cattle farmers to further improve their financial as well as social wellbeing, also enabling them to anticipate market developments. For 60 years the name Lely has been a synonym for products, services and solutions that are relevant and meaningful to cattle farmers, simply because they have been developed to meet their specific requirements. Consequently, Lely is the uncontested market leader in sales and servicing of automated milking systems; in addition, the company holds a strong position in forage solutions. The company is active in more than 60 countries and it employs 1,200 people. The annual turnover amounts to 390 million euro.
http://www.lely.com PRESS RELEASE

About CA FNZ
CA FNZ was founded in 1905 as a trader and distributor for the foodstuff industry and dairy farming business. In the food industry, the company focused on sales of cleaning agents, raw materials and additives to manufacturers of milk products and foodstuffs.

In addition, the business unit CA FNZ-Agri supplies a comprehensive range of quality products and services to more than 25,000 dairy farmers to contribute to the production and extraction of an outstanding raw material: milk. CA FNZ is active in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland; the company employs more than 200 people.
www.cafnz-agri.nl

For further information please contact:

Els Versluis
Marketing and Communications Manager
Lely Group International
eversluis@lely.com
T: + 31 (0)10 59 96 500

Natasja Kwakman
Product development and training
CA FNZ Agri
NKwakman@lely.com
T: +31 (0)6 207 747 43