Lely USA to expand production facilities at Pella headquarters

Manufactures robotic milking installations

PELLA, Iowa – Dutch robotic milking systems manufacturer Lely has been given the green light to expand its production facilities at Pella, a town originally staked out by immigrants from the Netherlands in the late 1840s. Still known as a Dutch town today, Pella is now the headquarters location of Lely USA, a supplier of agricultural implements founded in the Netherlands in 1948. Branching out to the USA in 1963, Lely’s Pella expansion will significantly increase its production capacity to serve the North American market.

Lely USA’s plans include a 35,000 to 40,000 square foot production and office facility to support its line of robotic milking equipment, including the Astronaut robotic milking system as well as its complete line of feed and animal care products. Founded by the Van der Lely brothers Cornelis and Arij, the company gained approval to build its facility on the site of industry colleague Vermeer, which manufactures equipment for agricultural and construction industries. Both companies have similar roots, founders rooted in farming seeking ways to innovate farm chores more efficiently with machinery still needing to be invented.

Lely’s Pella production facility will be the first one beyond Dutch borders. Lely’s headquarters and production facilities are located in Maassluis and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It is anticipated that Lely’s new facilities will allow the company to dramatically increase its capacity in the North American market, which is huge when compared to the European dairy industry.

The Pella expansion will create up to 25 new full-time positions within the first year of the facility’s operation, allowing it to expand its product range and services in the United States and Canada, where the Dutch manufacturer created a branch in the late 1990s.

Lely USA president Peter Langebeeke sees his company’s plans as a sign of its commitment to helping our dairy producers realize improvements in their financial and social well-being. He is looking forward to further establish Iowa as a central location for Lely for the North American market.