German food corporation, GEA Group, has acquired South West dealer Venture Dairy Services in a deal aimed at consolidating its presence in the region and improving its offering to dairy producers.
Venture Dairy Services operates across Devon and Cornwall and offers sales, service and maintenance for slurry and feed handling as well as electrical installations.
The family-owned dealership led by Normal Horwood has been operating for over 35 years and has developed a strong relationship with dairy farmers across the region, GEA Group said.
Senior director of the farm technologies division at GEA, Simon Redfearn, said: “The Horwoods did a great job of building this amazing business, and we’re very happy to continue their legacy.
“It’s a fantastic dealership, with about 30 employees, and we look forward to working with them to continue growing the business.”
“GEA works with independent dealers all over the UK, and has only one other directly-owned dealer; Dairy Flow in Scotland.
“Having that direct relationship with farmers will further improve our understanding of their needs.
“We will also be able to offer improved internal engineer training, the strong financial backing of GEA, and the full breadth of technical services and products for our customers.”
GEA Group supplies robotic and conventional milking parlours, automatic scrapers and feeders and herd management systems, as well as equipment servicing, hygiene supplies, milk cooling, manure management and milk testing.
“We will be looking to grow across the South West and bring in more apprentice engineers to an industry which has been struggling to attract young people,” Redfearn said.
“Venture was already booked to exhibit at the Royal Cornwall Show, and we look forward to meeting customers there.”
