1938: Origins of Big Dutchman
Brothers Richard and Jack DeWitt, with Dutch ancestry, founded Automatic Poultry Feeder Co. which is to be known as Big Dutchman in later years, in Zeeland, Michigan.
1948: Model A Feeder Launched
The Model A, round body chain feeder is launched and sold under the ‘Big Dutchman’ product name.
1951: New US Plant Opening
Opening of the new manufacturing plant on Washington Ave, Michigan.
1954: Big Dutchman is Official
Company name changed to Big Dutchman.
1958: Venturing into Europe
A subsidiary company was established in the Netherlands. The business flourished and in 1958, Big Dutchman decided to engage a sales representative in Germany.
1959: Netherlands Office Opened
The Company’s first overseas operation is opened in the Netherlands, under the responsibility of Josef Meerpohl.
1978: Big Dutchman Consolidates
Josef Meerpohl acquires Big Dutchman’s German operations.
1985: Josef Meerpohl Becomes Owner
Josef Meerpohl became the owner of the company with the brand name Big Dutchman following a management buy-out in the 1980s.
1992: Over to Bernd Meerpohl
The holding company BDAG is created in Germany with Josef Meerpohl holding the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board, while his oldest son, Bernd Meerpohl, taking over the management of Big Dutchman as the Chairman of the Board of Management.
1992: First Asia Sales Office
Asia Journey Begins! Big Dutchman expanded to Asia, with the opening of the first sales office for Asia.
Jan Hofstede worked from a home-office set-up to build the Asian chapter of Big Dutchman; to what it is today.
1998: 60 Years of Big Dutchman
60 years of Big Dutchman worldwide / 40 years Big Dutchman in Germany: No other company in this world-wide line of business has been active on the market for so long. Big Dutchman celebrated our 60th anniversary as well as 40 years of Big Dutchman in Germany and Europe.
2001: Conquering Thailand
BD Agriculture (Thailand) is incorporated in Bangkok.
2008: To India & Indonesia
The international presence expanded further; an office for the Indian market opens in Hyderabad.
Big Dutchman Indonesia is established in the same year. Currently they have over 60 staff; warehouse and office in Jakarta.
Big Dutchman Asia (HQ for Asia Pac) establishes its status as the Regional Distribution Centre.
2010: BigFarmNet is Launched
A Big Dutchman office is established in HCMC, Vietnam.
Big Dutchman introduces the revolutionary BigFarmNet software; with the ability to control and monitor all computers and controllers in farms.
2014: On to Vietnam
BD Agriculture (Vietnam) Co. Ltd. is incorporated. BD Vietnam now has over 30 employees with the admin office in HCMC and warehouse in Dong Nai Province.
2015: Now in Philippines & Myanmar
Big Dutchman expands further into Asia with the opening of two offices
- BD Agriculture (Philippines) Inc. over 65 employees with the office located in Manila and a warehouse in the outskirt of Manila
- BD Agriculture (Myanmar) with over 20 staff and office located in Yangon.
2016: Asia Expands Further
Two major occasions in 2016:
- Big Dutchman Asia moves into its current location in Bukit Raja, Klang. The biggest facility with 19acres of land outside of Europe.
- The opening of the Big Dutchman office in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
2017: Acquisition of Agricon
The Big Dutchman group acquires the agricultural building business, Agricon by Betco, which is a supplier of steel livestock bulidings based in North Carolina, USA.
2018: 80th Anniversary!
80th birthday of Big Dutchman International.
2019: Architectural Achievement
Big Dutchman Asia office and warehouse is awarded the PAM Awards Gold for Industrial category (Malaysia Institute of Architect).
2020: Green Building Certified
Yet another achievement, Big Dutchman Asia office and warehouse is awarded the Green Building Index (GBI) certification.