Staffordshire-based Midland Pig Producers (MPP) has signed up Quality Equipment as the official UK and Ireland distributor of its award-winning 360º Freedom Farrower.
Designed by the MPP team, lead by managing director Martin Barker, the company described its pen as ‘the stand out alternative to traditional farrowing crates used by forward thinking producers across the UK’.
Jamie Baker,managing director of Quality Equipment, based in Woolpit, Suffolk, said: “We are very pleased to be given the opportunity to collaborate with MPP to promote the 360° Freedom Farrower as an alternative to the traditional farrowing crates. The team at MPP have taken their time to develop and refine the system so that it is now ready to introduce to a wider commercial market”.
Andrew Atkin, MPP’s project manager for the 360º Freedom Farrower, said: “This is a significant step in MPP’s journey to improve modern pig farming and help farmers across the world to raise their health and welfare standards without compromising productivity.
“Quality Equipment has an impressive reputation for delivering high quality products and we’re delighted the firm can utilise its experience of the UK and global markets to develop the brand further and widen its following.
“Interest in the pen is growing and it’s important that we work alongside a trusted and respected firm to enable us to deliver all the components of our farrowing system to future customers.”
The pen has the same footprint as a conventional crate, but improves the way in which the sow can be handled while allowing more freedom of movement. Its flexible design with moveable restraining bars give the animal space to turn around in the pen but also enables close containment when necessary.
Since launching its innovative farrowing unit, MPP has won a series of industry awards, including a coveted Good Sow Commendation from Compassion in World Farming and the Food & Farming Industry Awards’ prestigious Enterprise and Innovation title after demonstrating its commitment to advancing animal welfare standards and enhancing pig production techniques.
MPP patented the design following extensive trials on its own farms and the product is now manufactured by independent family-owned firm IAE, based in Stoke. Richard Harper, Sales Director at IAE, said: “We are pleased that MPP have selected IAE to manufacture the new 360° Freedom Farrower and excited to be involved in this new venture.”
Picture shows (L-R): Jamie Baker, Andrew Atkin and Richard Harper