Gallagher takes full control of its European markets with acquisition of Gallagher Europe B.V.

Gallagher Group is accelerating its commercial expansion across the European region with its acquisition of the Dijkstra family's shareholding of Gallagher Europe, an agritech business headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands.

For nearly 50 years, the Dijkstra family has led Gallagher Europe, helping grow the brand into a trusted name across the continent. The agreement for Gallagher to acquire the Dijkstras' shareholding was completed on 31 March 2025, welcoming the team of around 130 people into the global Gallagher Group.

Gallagher Europe has offices in the Netherlands, UK and Switzerland, with in-market teams based in France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Sweden. The team has strong distribution partnerships in Ireland, Spain, Iceland and Hungary and sells its solutions in every country in Europe.

The Dijkstra family says, “We are grateful for everything we have achieved together. We look back on a remarkable journey, with a dedicated team, loyal partners, and a shared mission to make the agricultural sector safer and more future-proofed. With confidence, we pass the baton to the Gallagher Group. Together we have built the European market over many years, and we are certain that they – along with the current team – will continue the culture, ambition, core values, and vision.”

Gallagher’s Group Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Kahl Betham, based in New Zealand, says the Gallagher Group is proud to continue the legacy.

“Over several generations, the Dijkstra family has built a strong business. We are committed to honouring that legacy and building on it to unlock even greater potential for the Gallagher Europe team, our customers, and the wider farming and agriculture community.

“Owning our market distribution is a key part of our strategy, demonstrated through the acquisitions of Gallagher North America and the Australian Animal Management business in 2009 and 2011,” Betham says.

Gallagher Animal Management Chief Executive Lisbeth Jacobs adds, "We have established many strong partnerships and made substantial investments in recent years to expand our portfolio of higher tech solutions and increase our geographic footprint. I'm looking forward to working with our European team to understand the nuances of their business and unique needs of their market.

“We believe this acquisition will allow us to grow our European business substantially, both in our core products and our portfolio of high-tech connected solutions, including eShepherd. The European market is one where we see significant evolution and opportunity for growth, particularly as it undergoes changes driven by evolving regulations and shifting customer needs."

Customers are increasingly seeking intelligent, digital solutions to streamline their operations. The Gallagher ecosystem addresses these evolving needs through groundbreaking innovations in virtual fencing, liquid monitoring, and remote paddock weighing systems. These solutions tackle the most pressing challenges customers face today. They strengthen their financial performance, deliver meaningful benefits to their quality of life, and protect the natural environments they manage.

"This acquisition represents a pivotal moment in Gallagher's European journey," adds Jacobs. "By bringing together our innovative technology with deep local market expertise, we're uniquely positioned to help European customers navigate changing regulations and embrace digital transformation. We're excited to build on the strong foundation the Dijkstra family established and write the next chapter of Gallagher's success story in Europe."