The company has changed and grown. How do you preserve Lely's identity as a family business?
André: ‘By continuing to carry out our company values, which are rooted in our DNA as a family business. We treat each other with respect, we are honest and open, and we don't have hidden agendas.’
Alexander: ‘And by supporting each other through good and bad times. Just like people, businesses experience ups and downs. As a family business, we don't discard people just because we're not reaching our short-term goals. We find ways to work together and make it through together. It's all about having a long-term vision. That's the reason why we’re still here 75 years later.’
What aspects of Cornelis and Arij's leadership style have survived to this day?
Alexander: ‘My father Cornelis and uncle Arij were grounded and creative at the same time. They excelled in not just identifying problems but getting to the core of problems. They would identify 20 solutions for each challenge and pick the best one. We still approach problem-solving this way.’
André: ‘They also taught us to turn challenges into opportunities, whether they are today’s or tomorrow’s challenges. And that requires real focus and a can-do attitude in a society which is becoming increasingly critical. I was amazed to encounter a 30-year-old document, created by Cornelis and Arij, on the topic of nitrogen emissions. They saw an opportunity to turn nitrogen into fertiliser as an alternative to artificial fertilisers, and they came up with solutions to do exactly that. At that time, no one was talking about nitrogen emissions. This shows that they were also able to focus on opportunities to enrich the lives of farmers, not just on solving problems.’
About Alexander
Directly after his graduation, Alexander began his career within Lely as project manager for the Lely Astronaut and as manager of the R&D department
Alexander held a position as CEO of Lely for 15 years (from 2004), taking over the baton from his brother Olaf
In Alexander’s time as CEO, Lely made a transformation from building agricultural machinery to worldwide leadership in the field of robots and data for dairy farms
In 2020, Alexander stepped down as Lely’s CEO to set up the Supervisory Board and became the Chairman of this Board
About André
Studied at UK universities in Birmingham and Gloucestershire
Started his career as a professional cricket player in the UK – but had to retire due to an injury at the age of 26
Earned his stripes at various multinationals
Joined Lely in 2014, heading the marketing team. He is a true marketeer with a passion for making the food industry more sustainable
After working within the company for six years, André van Troost was appointed as CEO of the Lely family business in 2020. Together with the other Executive Board members, André determines the course of our great company
What changes in the world have prompted this evolution?
André: 'We have to play a role in that. After all, the world needs farmers. The global demand for dairy products continues to grow on average by 2 to 4% per year. We must be able to demonstrate how we are addressing the challenges of the future, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and what we are doing to make the supply chain more transparent. And that is exactly what we're doing. Our “Farm of the Future 2035” is about innovating with a focus on the farmer and on protecting their license to produce. It also defines the five impact areas that will drive our decision-making towards 2035 and beyond, including sustainability and animal welfare.’
Alexander: 'Dairy farming has come under increased scrutiny, and the perceptions of dairy farming have become more negative. On the whole, society has lost touch with the way their food is produced. We work with farmers every single day. Many of our employees have a background in agriculture. We know that farmers care about the well-being of their animals and about nature. But for dairy farming to survive, society needs to be convinced of that as well.’
What is the common thread in Lely's 75-year history?
Alexander: ‘We remain dedicated to making farmers’ lives easier through innovation. Lely was founded in 1948. The world was still reeling from the devastation of the war. At the same time, people were committed to returning to prosperity and ending hunger once and for all. Our “founding fathers” Cornelis and Arij van der Lely set out to help farmers work more efficiently, increase food production and keep food affordable. Fast forward to 2023, and we continue to help farmers run their businesses more efficiently and produce enough nutritious food for a growing population. Facilitating the efficient production of food is truly the linking pin between the past and the present.’
André: 'I agree that there is a strong link between the Lely of 1948 and the Lely of today. We still develop innovative solutions so that farmers can be successful. How we do that changes over time, because farmers’ challenges evolve too.’
André van Troost and Alexander van der Lely sit at the desk of founding father Cornelis van der Lely – fabricated according to personal design. Fun fact: the desk’s angle is similar to that of the tines of our finger wheel rake, the Lely Acrobat.
‘Throughout our 75-year history, we have been committed to helping farmers excel in producing high-quality and sustainable food to feed the world,’ says André van Troost (CEO). ‘There is a strong link between the Lely of 1948 and the Lely of today.’
'Sustainable food production remains the linking pin between past and present’
BOARDWALK
The company has changed and grown. How do you preserve Lely's identity as a family business?
André: ‘By continuing to carry out our company values, which are rooted in our DNA as a family business. We treat each other with respect, we are honest and open, and we don't have hidden agendas.’
Alexander: ‘And by supporting each other through good and bad times. Just like people, businesses experience ups and downs. As a family business, we don't discard people just because we're not reaching our short-term goals. We find ways to work together and make it through together. It's all about having a long-term vision. That's the reason why we’re still here 75 years later.’
What aspects of Cornelis and Arij's leadership style have survived to this day?
Alexander: ‘My father Cornelis and uncle Arij were grounded and creative at the same time. They excelled in not just identifying problems but getting to the core of problems. They would identify 20 solutions for each challenge and pick the best one. We still approach problem-solving this way.’
André: ‘They also taught us to turn challenges into opportunities, whether they are today’s or tomorrow’s challenges. And that requires real focus and a can-do attitude in a society which is becoming increasingly critical. I was amazed to encounter a 30-year-old document, created by Cornelis and Arij, on the topic of nitrogen emissions. They saw an opportunity to turn nitrogen into fertiliser as an alternative to artificial fertilisers, and they came up with solutions to do exactly that. At that time, no one was talking about nitrogen emissions. This shows that they were also able to focus on opportunities to enrich the lives of farmers, not just on solving problems.’
About Alexander
Directly after his graduation, Alexander began his career within Lely as project manager for the Lely Astronaut and as manager of the R&D department
Alexander held a position as CEO of Lely for 15 years (from 2004), taking over the baton from his brother Olaf
In Alexander’s time as CEO, Lely made a transformation from building agricultural machinery to worldwide leadership in the field of robots and data for dairy farms
In 2020, Alexander stepped down as Lely’s CEO to set up the Supervisory Board and became the Chairman of this Board
About André
Studied at UK universities in Birmingham and Gloucestershire
Started his career as a professional cricket player in the UK – but had to retire due to an injury at the age of 26
Earned his stripes at various multinationals
Joined Lely in 2014, heading the marketing team. He is a true marketeer with a passion for making the food industry more sustainable
After working within the company for six years, André van Troost was appointed as CEO of the Lely family business in 2020. Together with the other Executive Board members, André determines the course of our great company
André van Troost and Alexander van der Lely sit at the desk of founding father Cornelis van der Lely – fabricated according to personal design. Fun fact: the desk’s angle is similar to that of the tines of our finger wheel rake, the Lely Acrobat.
What changes in the world have prompted this evolution?
André: 'We have to play a role in that. After all, the world needs farmers. The global demand for dairy products continues to grow on average by 2 to 4% per year. We must be able to demonstrate how we are addressing the challenges of the future, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and what we are doing to make the supply chain more transparent. And that is exactly what we're doing. Our “Farm of the Future 2035” is about innovating with a focus on the farmer and on protecting their license to produce. It also defines the five impact areas that will drive our decision-making towards 2035 and beyond, including sustainability and animal welfare.’
Alexander: 'Dairy farming has come under increased scrutiny, and the perceptions of dairy farming have become more negative. On the whole, society has lost touch with the way their food is produced. We work with farmers every single day. Many of our employees have a background in agriculture. We know that farmers care about the well-being of their animals and about nature. But for dairy farming to survive, society needs to be convinced of that as well.’
What is the common thread in Lely's 75-year history?
Alexander: ‘We remain dedicated to making farmers’ lives easier through innovation. Lely was founded in 1948. The world was still reeling from the devastation of the war. At the same time, people were committed to returning to prosperity and ending hunger once and for all. Our “founding fathers” Cornelis and Arij van der Lely set out to help farmers work more efficiently, increase food production and keep food affordable. Fast forward to 2023, and we continue to help farmers run their businesses more efficiently and produce enough nutritious food for a growing population. Facilitating the efficient production of food is truly the linking pin between the past and the present.’
André: 'I agree that there is a strong link between the Lely of 1948 and the Lely of today. We still develop innovative solutions so that farmers can be successful. How we do that changes over time, because farmers’ challenges evolve too.’
'Sustainable food production remains the linking pin between past and present’
‘Throughout our 75-year history, we have been committed to helping farmers excel in producing high-quality and sustainable food to feed the world,’ says André van Troost (CEO). ‘There is a strong link between the Lely of 1948 and the Lely of today.’
BOARDWALK
