Fisher & Thompson already sold Lely products, but as dairy farmers come to embrace automated milking systems, the company decided to establish a separate division focused on them, said Abbie Rose, operations manager for the new unit, known as Lely Center Mid-Atlantic.
«We’re past the early-adopter stage,» Rose said. «The technology is more widely known to farmers so it’s starting to become more accepted throughout the industry that this is here to stay.»
The Lely Center is based in Fisher & Thompson’s headquarters in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County, but may eventually move into its own space, Rose said. It employs 15 people.
Fisher & Thompson sells a range of equipment and products for dairy farmers. With offices in both Pennsylvania and Virginia, it does business in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia, according to its website.
