With over 130 years’ experience behind DeLaval, it is no wonder that they are a world leader in milking rotary systems.
Over the years, the company has seen many changes, but one thing that they have maintained is the quality products that they manufacture.
From a pair of heavy-duty gloves to the most advanced herd management software; from a milking bucket to their DeLaval AMR™ (automatic milking rotary), they have every solution for every farm.
The abolition of the milk quota in Ireland has resulted in farmers expanding their herds and in order to keep up with their extended production, many are opting to upgrade their milking systems.
Since the 1970s, the DeLaval brand has been a popular choice amongst farmers and Cork based company Alan Sexton Ltd is one of the main dealers for the Swedish made products in Ireland.
DeLaval’s innovative automatic milking solutions help farmers make the most of one of the most underrated resources on their farm – their time. Robotic milking systems such as DeLaval AMR™ (automatic milking rotary) and DeLaval VMS™ (voluntary milking system) significantly reduce the amount of labour needed to milk a herd, freeing up the farmer and their staff to concentrate on other critical aspects of their dairy operation, such as feeding, breeding, health and hygiene.
DeLaval was the world’s first to launch an automatic milking rotary. No other company has come as far when it comes to the development of automatic milking.
Benefits include fast, gentle milking of a herd; full quarter individual milking of the cow; maximises milk output; hygienic design; provides vital information about animals and output; reduces labour costs; maximises staff on high-quality, high-value assignments and identifies and alerts when specific animals need attention.
For this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we profile this family run business and speak to managing director Alan Sexton about the success of the company.
Alan’s uncle Declan started with Golden Vale in 1970 where they sold Alfa Laval, Bucket Plant and recording machine plant with Ruakura Direct to Line Parlours.
In 1990, Declan took on the DeLaval agency from the then agent Bob French in Limerick he built up the business over the years. I have been involved in the business for the past 20 years and about five years ago, he passed the dealership over to me,” said Alan.
From their depot in Milford, Charleville, Co Cork, Alan Sexton Ltd supplies a wide range of services including sales, installation and service of milking rotary systems.
“The sales, installation and service would be the core of our business, but we also have a wide range of parts and products including automatic scrapers, cow mats, clothing and other gear. We also have the full range of detergents for parlours. We would cover north Cork, as well as parts of Limerick and Clare. The customer base is growing all the time. We have become a one-stop shop for our customers and anything that we don’t have, we can usually source very quickly.”
Alan admits that the brand name is a major selling point as customers know they are guaranteed to receive a quality product when purchasing DeLaval.
“Definitely, any farmer that uses a DeLaval Milking System know that they are getting the best product on the market with the service to back it up. We would have a lot of repeat custom as anyone that uses DeLaval always stays with the brand. Farmers tend to stick to what they know best and they will always get value for money.”
Technology has played a massive part in the advancement of milking systems with the robotic milking system increasing in popularity all the time.
“Aside from the reduction in manual labour, the robotic milking system helps produce better milk results and benefit the cows’ health. The cattle walk in and out themselves and it is all about grassland management.
“Since the milk quota was abolished, it is all about increasing milk production and certainly the milking systems on the market can help achieve that.”
Alan added that the last few years have been particularly busy for him and his staff of six, but the winter months always seem to be that bit busier.
“Certainly business has been very good for a few years now. We would be kept going all year round, but when things are quieter for farmers in the winter, that is when we find that we are that bit busier.”
Alan relies on his experience staff to carry out a lot of the installation and service work, while his father Tom is involved in the business and wife Lianne along with Edel handle the bookwork.
“We are a small operation, but we would have a large customer base. Everyone has their role to play in the business and without all of them the company would not be where it is today.
“We are there for our customers seven days a week, 365 days a year with our extensive back up service that will see us get to our customers within an hour if we can’t solve the problem over the phone.
Alan Sexton Ltd
Kilbolane,
Milford,
Charleville,
Co. Cork
Alan 087 2663689
Tom 087 2663687
Declan 087 2549757
Shop/Office 063 80898
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 6, July/August 2016
