Our history
1948
The beginning
Brothers Arij and Cornelis van der Lely are working on innovations to make the farmer's life more pleasant.
1948
Lely's foundation
Founded after the invention of the finger wheel rake.
1958
Lely's single disc spreader
An entirely unique artificial fertilizer spreader which even today is still produced and sold in America.
1968
Lelyterra power harrow
The development of the Lelyterra power harrow marks the real breakthrough and internationalisation of Lely as a company and an unprecedented growth in sales.
1983
Modular cutter bar concept
This cutter bar contains far fewer gears than any other cutter bar, which results in outstanding output and saving on fuel.
1989
Second generation of Van der Lely
Olaf van der Lely, son of Cornelis, takes over the management of the company.
1992
First Lely Astronaut in operation
A prototype of the Lely Astronaut milking robot is introduced. Farmers acknowledge this as the most important invention of the 20th century for dairy farmers.
1995
Official introduction Lely Astronaut
Lely brings to market the revolution of the dairy robotic milk system.
1997
Lely Lotus 1325
The tedder was the world’s largest for decades in terms of tedding output and quality.
1999
Lely MQC
The MQC (Milk Quality Control) system provides insight into valuable indicators of milk quality, including cell count, color and conductivity. The measuring system is placed in the robot arm, right next to the udder.
2003
Lely Astronaut Evolution
A new century has arrived and it too is full of innovations and smart technologies. The Lely Astronaut A2 Evolution, including a static teat detection system and renewed vacuum system, is launched.
2004
Alexander van der Lely CEO
Alexander van der Lely succeeds his brother Olaf as CEO of the family business.
2005
Lely Astronaut A3
Lely offers state-of-the-art design with advanced milking robot technology to ensure greater reliability and flexibility with the Lely Astronaut.
2005
Lely Splendimo Clip
A very simple invention ensuring a timely, easy and above all safe change of mower blades.
2005
Lely Discovery mobile barn cleaner
Lely provides an intelligent solution, which meets the growing need of dairy farmers for optimum hygiene in their cow housings.
2007
Lely Voyager
Lely introduces an automatic grazing system. The so-called 'frontal grazing' limits grazing losses, prevents fluctuations in milk production and saves labor.
2007
Lely Lotus 2010
Unique tedder with 8 rotors and 7 tine arms per rotor and equipped with the Lely carrier system.
2008
Lely Juno feed pusher
Lely takes a major step forward towards the automated supply of roughage to livestock.
2009
Lely Welger RPC445 Tornado
Lely launches the first fully variable baler/wrapper combination in the market place.
2009
Lely Attis
The Lely Attis is a round bale wrapper with a large capacity. The loading arm is exceptionally robust and ensures that the bale is placed effortlessly on the wrapping table.
2010
Lely Astronaut A4
The Astronaut A4 is set up in modular concept. A central unit features a central vacuum and cleaning system for up to two cow units.
2011
Lely Juno 100
After the Lely Juno 150, a smaller, more compact and financially more attractive model is now available: the Lely Juno 100. Due to the smaller diameter, it is also ideal for a narrower feed alley.
2011
Joint venture Lely en GET
Lely and Green Energy Technologies (GET) are starting a joint venture to develop a sustainable fertilizer refining system.
2014
20,000th Lely Astronaut robot installed
Lely reaches milestone sales in robotic milking with the Lely Astronaut.
2014
Lely Welger Continuous Baling concept
A prototype of the Lely Welger CB Concept is introduced. Farmers acknowledge its continuous quality, capacity and comfort.
2017
Sale of forage activities
Strategic choice to focus on dairy farms worldwide and sale of our forage harvesting machines to AGCO Corporation.
2017
Lely Discovery Collector
The Discovery Collector is specially designed for closed-floor stables and works revolutionarily different from a traditional manure scraper.
2017
25 Years dairy automation
The era of dairy automation truly took off when Lely started with robotic milking.
2018
Lely celebrates 70th anniversary
In its 70-year history, Lely has changed traditions in agriculture, with innovations that have made life easier for farmers and cows.
2018
Lely Astronaut A5
Introduction of the Lely Astronaut A5 milking robot system and the renewed Lely Juno feed pusher during the Lely Future Farm Days.
2018
Lely Orbiter
Lely developed a dairy processor for the farm, the Lely Orbiter - a system that makes milk processing on the farm affordable, practical, safe and above all profitable.
2019
Family Business Award
Lely was voted "Family Business of the Year 2019". Former CEO Alexander van der Lely received the annual prestigious Family Business Award from Hans Wiegel.
2020
André van Troost CEO
André van Troost is the successor of Alexander van der Lely as CEO of the Lely Group. Alexander van der Lely will become Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
2020
Sustainable Dairy farming
A big step towards circular farming. The Lely Sphere reduces ammonia emissions in the barn and converts nitrogen into circular fertilizers. The Lely Exos harvests and feeds fresh grass to the cows and applies the fertilizer to the land.
2020
Lely Horizon
The successor of Lely T4C (InHerd). This data platform enables dairy farmers to make their decisions based on real-time data. The software analyses and offers insight and proactive advice on how to better manage a farm.
2022
Building tomorrow together
A remarkable year showing our growth. Lely North America opens the Lely Park and the Lely Campus in Maassluis doubles in office size and production capacity. The opening was on 30 June 2022 by HRH King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
2023
Our 75th anniversary
A remarkable milestone: 75 years red impact. We celebrate our history, experience the present and work towards the future. Thanks to our loyal customers and Lely Center network all over the world.
Why Lely?
Farmers all over the world make choices about how they set up and run their farms. Every day, we help them make the best choices for themselves and their farms. We do this by providing advice and innovative solutions that contribute to efficient farm management. For sustainable milk and meat production. Present and future.