Hey Michigan FFA! This week’s Why Ag Wednesday dives into the poultry and egg industry in Michigan and around the country. Big Dutchman is a global company that operates in eight regions, with Big Dutchman North America being one of them. We spoke with Sally Reinink, Director of Business Support at the Big Dutchman North America headquarters in Holland about the company and what they do.
Big Dutchman was founded in West Michigan in 1938 by two brothers. Beginning as a hatchery, the company eventually became known for its automatic feeders after their first sale in 1948. Since then, Big Dutchman has expanded to everything from automatic drinkers to housing and feeding for chicks, pullets, broilers, and breeders. What began as a hatchery in West Michigan now sells products in over 100 countries, and as a global company, Big Dutchman aims to feed the world.
But agriculture comes down to more than just the livestock. We asked Mrs. Reinink what her favorite part of her job was, and she answered “The people I work with…I’ve always been in customer service. When you think about it, almost every job has a customer service function. The bottom line is any kind of labor is about getting the end product into customer’s hands and making sure they’re satisfied, and I’m only as good as the people who work with me.”
When asked about Big Dutchman’s mission statement, Mrs. Reinink explained: “All the farmers we interact with, their goal is to be good stewards and take care of their animals. That’s what their passion is. So if we can make their job of taking care of their animals easier, that’s why we’re here. And it helps feed the world.”
Last year, the 2019-2020 State Officers were able to tour the facilities of Big Dutchman as part of their annual Business and Industry tours. Thank you Sally Reinink and Big Dutchman for your continued partnership with Michigan FFA, and for all you do for the agriculture industry!
-Alex and Andy
