Staffordshire-based Midland Pig Producers (MPP) has signed up family-run firm Quality Equipment as official UK and Ireland distributor of its award-winning 360º Freedom Farrower^TM.

Quality Equipment, based in Woolpit, Suffolk, has a long-established reputation for supplying quality agricultural equipment across the UK as well as a successful track record of exporting products into the European and Asian markets. It is also actively involved in the design and development of equipment for modern, efficient pig production.

Jamie Baker, Quality Equipment Managing Director, said:
We are very pleased to be given the opportunity to collaborate with MPP to promote the 360° Freedom Farrower^TM 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^TM, also commented: 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.

Designed by the MPP team, led by Managing Director Martin Barker, the 360° Freedom Farrower^TM is the stand out alternative to traditional farrowing crates used by forward thinking producers across the UK.

The ground-breaking pen has the same footprint as a conventional crate, but improves the way in which the sow can be handled whilst 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.

MPP patented the design following extensive trials on its own farms and the product is now manufactured by independent family-owned firm IAE. The Stoke-based firm is the UK's leading manufacturer of livestock handling equipment, equestrian stabling, steel fencing and shelters.

Richard Harper, Sales Director at IAE, said: We are pleased that MPP have selected IAE to manufacture the new 360° Freedom Farrower^TM and excited to be involved in this new venture.

Since launching its innovative farrowing unit, MPP has won a series of prestigious 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.

For more information about the 360º Freedom Farrower^TM click here

As reported by Midland Pig Producers