Yorkshire Dairy Services – Keeping Farms Flowing 24/7
This week’s Feature Friday highlights Yorkshire Dairy Services, a trusted team of independent dairy engineers serving the hardworking farmers of Yorkshire and Durham.
With a strong focus on dairy herds—but also supporting beef & sheep farms with feeding machines— Yorkshire Dairy Services specialise in the service, repair, and installation of both new and second-hand milking parlour equipment.
For those of us not in the know, milking parlour equipment refers to the machinery and tools used in a milking parlour to facilitate the efficient and hygienic milking of cows or other dairy animals. This type of machinery is designed to be kind to animals, prioritising comfort, safety, and efficiency.
Let’s hear more from Yorkshire Dairy Services owner, Jim Smith.
Decade of milking
“I spent ten years working as a herd manager, so I’ve definitely milked my fair share of cows!” said Jim. “After a decade in that role, I decided it was time for a change and retrained as a dairy engineer. I gained valuable experience working with a local firm, but two years ago, I spotted a huge gap in the market. That’s when Yorkshire Dairy Services was born—right out of a van! I sold everything I owned to buy some tools and that first van, and off we went. From day one, we were fiercely independent and hands-on, doing everything ourselves. A farming background gave me a strong work ethic and a deep determination to succeed, which still drives the business today.”
Commitment drives growth
“Two years on, Yorkshire Dairy Services has grown into a team of five. Alongside me and engineer Niall Phillips, we have Simon Head, our full-time commercial and domestic electrician. Our 17-year-old apprentice, Daniel Swales, is a local farmer’s son, and my right-hand and amazing aunt, Samantha Miller, runs the office and shop. A former head chef, she brings incredible drive and has been key to our success. That’s the team—for now. Thanks to continued growth, we’re hiring!”
More on that later.
24/7 dedication
“As a proud person, I’m driving this business my way,” Jim explained. “No loans, no overdrafts, just hard work and cashflow. Working 7 days a week so we can provide our customers with a reliable 24/7 emergency breakdown service. More than just qualified engineers, our team understand the cow and it’s unique needs. That useful combination of skills gives us the edge over some of our competitors.”
Main dealer energy
“When we first started we were completely independent. Now, we do it all. We’re proud to be a main dealer for Förster-Technik, Milktech NZ, and Cotswold. Which means we’re fully trained to sell, install, service and repair products from those manufacturers. In addition, just last week, we became a main dealer for FutureCow. Securing this type of partnership leads to new customers and more work.”
Hard work prevails
“We’ve built our reputation by buying and selling quality milking equipment. This year alone, we’ve installed five new milking machines within 20 miles of Stokesley. While we focus on Yorkshire and Durham, our customers stretch as far as Devon. In fact, Mark Dicken once thought something was wrong when he saw us at our unit at 3am—but with a regular 9am job in Stranraer, early starts come with the territory!”
So what brought Yorkshire Dairy Services to the Terry Dicken Business Park
Convenient for Farmers
Jim said, “We started in a shed in Busby. Moving to Terry Dicken Business Park made sense since farmers already visit Agriplus, Clevedale Vets, and Mole Valley, making us a convenient stop. When we needed more space, we rented two containers but lacked room to meet dealers or customers. After sharing our needs with Mark, he kept us in mind. When a suitable unit became available, he offered it to us. The process was very easy and as well as providing a professional space for meetings, it also allowed us to open a shop.”
Well stocked and open
“The shop offers convenience for farmers needing parts or everyday supplies like gloves and paper towels. From wellies and waterproof leggings to marker sprays, brush shafts, hoof trimming products, and milking machine spares for many brands, both new and second-hand. We’ve expanded our stock to over 2,500 items. Open Monday to Friday from 7am to 2pm, we’re also just a phone call away outside those hours.”
Want to know a secret? There’s something for all Terry Dicken Business Park tenants at the shop which also stocks Fairy liquid, jars of coffee and washing powder alongside bags of over 1000 Yorkshire tea bags! Why not pop in at lunchtime on your way to TK’s?
Or if you’re looking for a new challenge, Yorkshire Dairy Services are recruiting two more full time staff members. If you’re a qualified electrician or engineer or are a hardworking individual looking for an apprenticeship, Jim would love to hear from you.
Yorkshire Dairy Services can be found at Unit 36 Terry Dicken Industrial Estate, Station Road, Stokesley, TS9 7AE
You can contact Jim directly on 07493 889483 or at yorkshiredairyservices@gmail.com
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