Van Osch at EuroTier: what should you look for before visiting the stand?

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The short answer

You will get the most from a visit to Van Osch’s EuroTier stand if you bring three things with you: the exact dimensions of your current barn, the replacement history for each component, and your timeline for meeting new housing requirements. At the show, a pig housing equipment manufacturer can put materials directly in your hands: stainless steel troughs, plastic pen dividers, slatted flooring and drinkers. That hands on comparison is something a trade show does far better than a catalogue. This article explains which questions to ask, the trends shaping the industry, and how to match material choices to service life.

Key takeaways

• EuroTier 2026 takes place from 10 to 13 November in Hannover. According to DLG, the event will focus on animal health and welfare, housing and feeding technology, plus automation, robotics, sensor technology and AI.
• The previous edition in 2024 welcomed around 120.000 trade visitors from 149 countries. Over four days, expect to have time for only a small number of genuinely in depth stand visits.
• According to CBS (2025), the Netherlands had 9,96 million pigs on 1 April 2025, 5,1 percent fewer than a year earlier, while the average farm grew in size.
• Bring your barn dimensions to every stand: pen width, aisle width and slatted floor beam spacing. Without accurate measurements, any conversation about a custom solution remains theoretical.
• Assess stainless steel and plastic by the replacement cycle of each component, rather than purchase price alone. Troughs, drinkers and pen dividers wear at different rates in real world conditions.

Why visiting a trade show without barn dimensions is a waste of time

Does this sound familiar? You walk around a trade show with a colleague, see twenty stands displaying pen equipment, and finish the day with a bag full of brochures but no decisions. What Van Osch sees year after year at its own EuroTier stand is that the conversations that lead somewhere start with visitors who have their barn dimensions to hand. Not rough estimates, but the actual measurements of the unit they plan to refurbish.

That is simply the nature of the job. Standard catalogue products rarely fit an existing barn exactly, which is the most common challenge in refurbishment projects. Beam spacing varies, aisles may have been poured differently years ago, and slurry pits are not always in the same position. A discussion about a trough or pen divider only becomes practical when the measurements are on the table.

International visitors also need to consider delivery and service. Van Osch works with a dealer network across Europe and beyond, and at a show such as EuroTier, manufacturer and dealer often meet alongside the end customer. That three way conversation is exactly what the show floor is designed for: the dealer understands local regulations and logistics, while the manufacturer understands the design and construction.

A practical rule of thumb: make a shortlist of no more than five stands you genuinely want to explore in depth. Anything beyond that is just walking around.

What does pig farming look like in 2026?

The figures explain why the questions being asked on the show floor are changing. According to CBS (2025), the Dutch pig herd fell to 9,96 million animals, a decrease of 5,1 percent in one year. CBS also shows that the number of livestock farms keeping pigs is falling faster than the herd itself: on 1 April 2025, there were 1,9 thousand farms, 7,1 percent fewer than a year earlier. The average farm is therefore getting bigger.

That has immediate implications for pig housing equipment. A farm managing around five thousand pigs cannot afford a setup that works differently in every unit. Consistent operation, the same latch, the same trough height and the same drinker type all reduce staff training time and limit mistakes during daily checks.

The second factor is emissions legislation. The Informatiepunt Leefomgeving explains that, under the Dutch Environmental and Planning Act, a pig barn must be low emission when it houses more than 15 pigs, excluding piglets, or more than 10 piglets. This affects flooring systems and slurry pit layouts, and therefore the pen equipment installed above them.

It is no coincidence that, according to Varkensbedrijf.nl, EuroTier 2026 will be built around the theme ‘Intelligence in animal farming’, with a focus on emissions reduction in pig and poultry farming. The show floor reflects the realities on farm.

Which developments are shaping the pig housing equipment of tomorrow?

Trend 1: material decisions are shifting from purchase price to replacement cycles
The calculation farmers make is changing. The key figure is no longer the price per metre of pen divider, but how often a component needs replacing. Stainless steel generally stays smooth for longer after years of cleaning, while plastic is lighter and warmer on the animal side. In practice, many farms opt for a combination: stainless steel where water, feed and cleaning come together, and plastic where insulation and low weight matter most. A trade show is the best place to judge that balance, because you can feel the weld quality and material thickness for yourself. For Van Osch, this material decision is a regular topic of conversation at EuroTier.

Trend 2: automation and sensor technology are reaching the pen
DLG specifically identifies automation, robotics, sensor technology and AI as focus areas for EuroTier 2026. For pig housing equipment, this mainly means pipework, pass through points and mounting locations need to be ready for equipment that may not be installed at handover. A trough with a standard mounting rail is easier to upgrade in five years than a permanently welded version.

Trend 3: moving from separate components to one integrated package
During refurbishment, many farms work with four or five suppliers: slats, troughs, drinkers, partitions and installation. That takes time to coordinate and creates disputes when something does not fit. The shift towards complete packages from a single manufacturer is partly a response to that problem.

Trend 4: farrowing systems are moving towards new housing requirements
Demand for loose farrowing pens is growing, along with demand for designs that fit within the depth of an existing barn. Anyone investing now wants to know whether the system will still comply in years to come. The overview of what the requirements from 2028 mean for your farrowing barn explores this decision in detail.

Trend 5: ease of work is becoming a buying criterion
With fewer people working in the barn, the number of actions required during each round matters. A latch that can be operated with one hand, or a trough flap that can be opened from the aisle, are no longer minor details. They are purchasing decisions.

What does this mean for your material choices?

The biggest shift is that materials are no longer assessed separately from how they are used. A stainless steel trough that is difficult to clean can lose out to a plastic alternative that can be emptied in seconds. On the show floor, always assess two things at once: the surface and the task. At Van Osch’s EuroTier stand, that combination is part of every material discussion.

Put this into practice:

• Note which component you have replaced most often for each animal group over the past five years. That is your weakest link, not necessarily your most expensive one.
• Ask every exhibitor about material thickness and welding method, not just the type of material.
• Test the operation on the spot with one hand, while wearing a glove.
• Ask which parts will still be available separately in five years’ time.

Stainless steel or plastic: which option lasts longest in your barn?

Imagine a unit manager at a finishing farm with around 3.000 pig places replacing all troughs in three units over two years. The issue is not rust, but cleaning time: pressure washing the troughs takes too many minutes every round. This is an illustrative example, but the pattern is familiar in refurbishment projects. Components are often replaced because of labour requirements, not because they have broken.

The table below outlines the usual trade offs. The stated service life is based on practical experience and can vary widely depending on the cleaning routine, water content in the feed and animal pressure.

Where stainless steel pays for itself

Anywhere water and feed meet. A stainless steel drinker retains its surface quality, which has a direct impact on water intake and cleaning time. If you want to calculate the trade off for each material in greater detail, the comparison of drinker materials and service life explains the reasoning for each application.

Where plastic is the better option

For pen dividers in piglet units, where weight and heat transfer matter and the load on each panel is lower. Plastic is also easier to adjust during a refurbishment project when dimensions are still changing.

The choice most often overlooked

The fixings. A stainless steel trough on a galvanised bracket with the wrong bolt grade can still corrode at the contact point. That is why Van Osch’s custom design process defines not only the component itself, but also the complete fixing set for each project. This is exactly where questions often stop at a trade show stand: visitors ask about the panel, but rarely about the bolt.

What should you ask Van Osch about pig housing equipment on the show floor?

A twenty minute conversation at a trade show can save weeks in the quotation process, provided you ask the right questions. The most valuable questions are not about the product itself, but about what happens after delivery. Alongside poor fit, the other major complaint in this sector is that promises made during the quotation stage disappear as soon as something goes wrong during installation.

It is therefore worth asking how a manufacturer puts its service commitments into practice. Van Osch works according to the Five O’s: solution focused, supportive, open, organised and sincere. These include a commitment to return calls within one working day. That is easy to test, simply try it after the show.

Also ask who is responsible for the drawings. When engineering and manufacturing are in house, as they are in Uden, the process runs directly from measuring up to tube laser cutting and robotic welding, without intermediaries. That can reduce the response time to a dimensional discrepancy from weeks to days. Ask directly: who measures, who produces the drawings, who welds, and who calls you back if something is wrong?

Put this into practice:

• Ask for a reference project in your country or region, not just a product brochure.
• Check whether engineering, manufacturing and installation sit with the same supplier. The more links in the chain, the longer the response time.
• Ask how long replacement parts will remain available after delivery.
• Share one specific measurement from your own barn and see whether you get an answer on the spot.
• Agree who will contact whom after the show, and by when.

How can you prepare your barn for the investments ahead?

Start with the right sequence. Anyone who plans refurbishment and new construction at the same time can end up paying twice for coordination. A practical five step approach is:

1. Record your dimensions for each unit: pen width, aisle width, beam spacing and slurry pit layout. Put everything on one sheet of A4.
2. Set a replacement timeline for each component: what needs to go within two years, and what can last another five?
3. Check your housing plans against the requirements that apply to your farm size, including the emissions rules under the Dutch Environmental and Planning Act.
4. Choose your material mix by zone rather than by barn: stainless steel where frequent cleaning is required, plastic where low weight matters.
5. Define operation as a design requirement: set the maximum number of actions per round and require one handed operation.

This order avoids the classic mistake of choosing materials before the layout is finalised. In Van Osch’s custom approach from the design stage, every project begins with measuring up, not with a product list. For sow housing, this sequence is explained in the step by step guide to a custom sow barn.

One final piece of contrarian advice: do not go to a trade show to buy. Go to compare options and agree who will call whom. Make the investment decision at home, with your measurements on the table.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is EuroTier 2026 taking place?

EuroTier 2026 will take place in Hannover from 10 to 13 November under the theme ‘Intelligence in animal farming’, according to Varkensbedrijf.nl. The previous edition attracted around 120.000 trade visitors from 149 countries. If you plan to visit Van Osch’s EuroTier stand, allow at least two full days if you want to have meaningful conversations at more than four stands, and arrange appointments in advance.

What are the main themes at EuroTier 2026?

The programme will focus on animal health and welfare, housing and feeding technology, plus automation, robotics, sensor technology and AI, according to DLG. For pig farmers, the housing and feeding technology section is particularly relevant, as this is where you will find pen equipment, slatted flooring, troughs and drinking systems. Plan your route around these halls, rather than by brand name.

Is stainless steel or plastic pen equipment cheaper in the long run?

It depends on the area of the barn. In practice, stainless steel generally lasts longest under intensive use in places where water, feed and cleaning come together, while plastic is often sufficient for pen dividers in piglet units. Do not calculate based on purchase price alone. Calculate the number of replacements over fifteen years, including the labour needed to replace them. If in doubt, ask for a component specific assessment based on your cleaning routine.

Who can adapt standard dimensions for an existing barn?

A manufacturer with in house engineering can accommodate non standard dimensions without intermediaries. Van Osch operates from Uden with its own tube laser cutting, sheet metal processing and robotic welding, allowing dimensional discrepancies to be resolved at the drawing stage rather than on site. Always bring your pen width, aisle width and beam spacing to the first meeting, otherwise the conversation will remain general.

How many pigs are there in the Netherlands, and why does this matter for pig housing equipment?

According to CBS (2025), the Netherlands had 9,96 million pigs on 1 April 2025, 5,1 percent fewer than a year earlier. Because smaller farms are mainly the ones closing, the average farm is growing towards around five thousand pigs. Larger farms need consistent equipment across units, as different operating methods in each unit immediately add labour time and increase the risk of mistakes.

Conclusion

A trade show visit only delivers a return when you arrive with a clear question. Bring your measurements, know which component you replace most often, and test service against something measurable, such as a promised call back time. Prepare your visit to Van Osch’s EuroTier stand this way and you will return home with answers, not just brochures.

The sector is shrinking in the number of farms while farms themselves are getting bigger. That means the choice between stainless steel and plastic is not simply a price comparison. It is a labour question: which material keeps its surface longest under your cleaning regime, and which design requires the fewest actions per round? Put those two questions at the top of your list for Hannover in November 2026. The conversation that follows will be about your barn, not a catalogue.

About Van Osch B.V.

Van Osch B.V. is a Dutch family business founded in 1939. From its base in Uden, the company designs, manufactures and supplies complete custom pig housing equipment. Its range covers housing for sows, farrowing sows, piglets and finishing pigs, using stainless steel, plastic and steel. Van Osch serves pig farmers directly and through an international dealer network.

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