Backboned by their DeLaval agency, Portumna Farm and Dairy Services boast an extensive stock of farm and dairy products for your farm and full back-up with servicing and repairs. Irish Tractor & Agri caught up Tim Walsh, who runs the family company along with his brother Liam, to find out more.
DeLaval is a world leader in the dairy farming industry, providing integrated milking solutions designed to improve dairy farmers’ production, animal welfare and overall quality of life.
The company develops, manufactures and markets equipment and complete systems for milk production and animal husbandry worldwide. Service and sales of a wide range of accessories are also key aspects of DeLaval’s operations.
The company supplies highly efficient system solutions for milking, herd management, animal traffic control, feeding, cooling, manure handling, ventilation and energy recovery.
With a group of over four and a half thousand passionate professionals operating in more than 100 markets across the globe, they work closely with their customers and dealers in partnership to realise our vision of making sustainable food production possible.
Open Tuesday to Saturday (9.30am – 6pm), Portumna Dairy Services fly the flag for DeLaval in their neck of the woods. Established by brothers, Tim and Liam Walsh, Portumna Dairy Services has been spreading the DeLaval gospel in the west of Ireland since March, 1987.
“My brother Liam was approached by DeLaval Agri, to see if he would be interested in taking on a dealership. We put our two heads together and it’s fair to say that we haven’t looked back since,” explained Tim who also runs the family’s dairy farm in conjunction with his brother and his son Mark. Indeed Mark has recently graduated with a B. Sc in Agriculture and has gone to Australia to further his knowledge in the dairy industry.
“We cover North Tipperary, west Offaly and back up around south east Galway and a small bit of east Clare. We’ve been fortunate in that we have built up a good customer base over the years, a good DeLaval Agri clientele who have stayed loyal to us and the brand.”
Tim and Liam are proud of their farming background and as a result have a great understanding of their customers needs.
“I suppose the fact that we’re dairy farmers ourselves gives us an advantage too because we know first hand the challenges that are out there. We currently milk 100 cows having bought a lot of decent quota over the years.”
What separates DeLaval from its competitors?
“DeLaval is the biggest company in the world when it comes to milking machinery and sells in 120 countries. We’re part of a massive organisation and, from an Irish point of view, they have every area covered.
“There are 18 dealerships in the country along with 34 sub-dealers. Back-up service is a big thing with DeLaval and our customers are never stuck.”
Tim continued: “Some competitors have gone down the plastic route to make machines cheaper. That sometimes makes our products a hard sell from a cost point of view but if you want to save on maintenance costs down the line then DeLaval is the only option and that is something that our customers realise.
“The amount of warranty sent back to us over the years is minimal and, as a a result, we are well able to promote and stand over what we sell. Any farmer who invests with DeLaval is guaranteed quality machines, a great back-up service and expert advice on how to maximise output on their farms.”
Another string to Portumna Farm and Dairy Services’ bow is water pumps and water treatment. Tim and Liam provide water treatment systems to consumers in Galway and Tipperary and all systems are fitted by a qualified technician.
“It’s a growing market which we started to develop. Treatment and quality of water is a huge issue and we deal with housewives as well as farmers. It has grown into a significant part of our business in recent times.”
DeLaval prides itself on their ability to provide any farmer in any dairy farm around the world with everything they need to ensure a successful dairy farming business.
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 the right solution for every farm.
From the small family farm to a 10,000 cow operation, DeLaval Agri and Portumna Dairy Services are there every step of the way.
Call into Tim and Liam or give them a call and they will look after your agricultural needs.
They continue to build on their reputation with their focus firmly on growing the ability of the business to deliver in new and innovative ways. Their ambition has always been to deliver quality products and value for money to their clients.
Portumna Farm & Dairy Services
Patrick Street
Portumna
Tel: (090) 9741107
Tim: 087 2629092
Liam: 087 2467315
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 8, October 2016
Portumna Farm & Dairy Services
