Roger Erdman, chief engineer of dairy systems architecture, is retiring after 34 years with BouMatic. His last day was May 2. Erdman’s long career with the same company is one milestone of many from a business that’s been around since World War II. BouMatic is turning 75 this year and has chosen June Dairy Month to celebrate the event.

Founded by Lawrence Bouma in 1939 as Bou-Matic Milkers Inc., the Ontario, California, company moved to Madison, Wisconsin, after being acquired by the Dairy Equipment Company in 1961. Over the years it continued to innovate and grow, and is well known in the dairy industry today.

“I made a video of its history for the company,” said Teri Weiss, communications manager, “and the one thing that has stuck with me is how innovative BouMatic has been in the industry. … There are a lot of things that we’ve done to change the way people milk their cows. We’ve really affected their lifestyle so they’re not spending as much time milking their cows.”

Some of the highlights of its 75 years in business:

  • 1947 – Industry’s first open-front can cooler is introduced.
  • 1961 – Electronic alternating pulsation provides a new, more efficient method of milking.
  • 1962 – The industry’s first narrow bore inflations safely improve milk flow.
  • 1974 – Automation is brought to dairy operations with the industry’s first electronic detacher.
  • 1978 – The industry’s first electronic milk meter improves measuring accuracy while maintaining quality.
  • 1985 – The industry’s first archway ID system increases cow identification accuracy in the parlor.
  • 1989 – BouMatic revolutionizes parallel style milking with the Xpressway Parallel Stall system featuring the rotating Exit Reel.
  • 2002 – Integrated sanitary troughs in herringbone parlors eliminate floor grates and gutters.
  • 2003 – Brought the first 24/7 pulsation monitoring system to the dairy industry.
  • 2009 – Launched the industry’s first total dairy management system, SmartDairy Dairy Management Software.

And, of course, there’s Erdman.

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During his years with BouMatic, Erdman was instrumental in the refinement and application of Radio Frequency Identification, revolutionizing the dairy industry and influencing many ID-based industries around the world. Erdman assisted in the creation, testing and implementation of the first DHIA- and ICAR-approved milk meter and engineered the Guardian II pipeline washer, a product still regarded highly and for which BouMatic received numerous awards.

“Roger … has been in a critical role in developing products that are at the core of what BouMatic is about,” Weiss said. “It also is unheard of in today’s workplace to have employees for so long, so I think it does speak to our industry and this company.” PD