Since the Schils familiy founded the company in the small village of Amstenrade in South Limburg in 1924, much has changed. What started out as a mill grinding and mixing ingredients for local bakers is now one of the largest international producers of young-animal feeds.

Young-Animal Feeds

In Limburg, the Netherlands, young-animal feed has been produced from so-called by-products since 1958. The two main by-products used are skimmed-milk powder and whey powder, two residual flows from the dairy industry. Initially, only calf milk was produced, but the construction of a new production facility in Sittard in 1980 heralded a broadening of the Schils range. The production of milk replacers and related young-animal feeds has been focussed on the markets for calves, piglets and lambs ever since. In 2004, the company was incorporated into the VanDrie Group.

Customer Central

As Thijs Otten, responsible for sales in Central and Eastern Europe, proudly explains,  “Our high-quality products haven’t gone unnoticed. Young animals all over the world are reared on feeds from Sittard”. He continues, “One of the things our customers value immensely is that we can guarantee tracking and tracing of all the individual raw materials we use. We’re in a position to meet their high demands in this respect and provide proof if necessary”. Another important and increasing demand in recent years, according to Thijs, has been flexible production. Schils has fully embraced this task. In close consultation with Schils’ product experts, customers can combine ingredients to suit their needs and wishes. “Together with our customers, we look at what the best strategy, products and desired support are for a certain region or end user. The knowledge and expertise on both sides are of great importance to us, enabling solid partnerships to be created,” says Otten.

Investment in Quality

Meeting high demands in terms of quality, striving for innovation and responding to changing needs is Schils’ philosophy. Substantial investments have been made in recent years to continue to support farmers worldwide with suitable products.

“The knowledge and expertise on both sides are of great importance to us, enabling solid partnerships to be created”. - Thijs Otten, Sales Manager Central and Eastern Europe

Construction of a new production tower started in 2019. New machines have been installed in the tower, as well as in the other production areas. A bag-opening line that efficiently removes raw materials from their packaging, big bag discharge stations, a bulk intake station and a small-component area for the storage of the various raw materials.

From 25 kg bags of diary product to bulk trailers filled with young-animal feed - of the highest quality and tailored to customer requirements - Schils can make it.

Schils’ customer care, however, does not end with product delivery. The many years that Schils has been active in the industry has yielded a wealth of in-house knowledge regarding the rearing of young animals. Schils is glad to be able to share that knowledge with its partners. By sharing knowledge and providing intensive guidance concerning animal breeding, Schils aims to maintain and strengthen its position as the largest international producer of young-animal feeds.