Still to come this year, customers, dealers and aficionados of stylish fashion can look forward to something quite special. GEA Farm Technologies is bringing an absolutely top-quality, fresh collection to the market - a leisure collection to stand alongside its workwear range. What was the motive for this and what did the initiators have in mind at the time? We put the questions to Dr. Mareike Zimmermann, Manager of Corporate Marketing.

1. Alongside the GEA Farm Technologies workwear range you have now introduced a leisurewear range to the market for staff and customers. What made you think of this?

The need for "branded" leisurewear was essentially already there. This started with colleagues wanting to wear shirts for training or simply in the office. Our demands are higher than this. We want a GEA Farm Technologies collection, which has such an appealing and modern appearance that people will want to wear it after work in the evenings and at the weekend, both because they think it's great and because they identify themselves with the brand. Clothing is a great vehicle for carrying a brand around and increasing awareness of it.

2. Why does it make sense for GEA Farm Technologies to create a leisurewear range alongside its workwear range?

 
Workwear is designed to meet the practical workday requirements of service technicians, production staff, dealers and farmers, i.e. its primary purpose is functionality. By contrast, the GEA collection was conceived for leisure use. In this respect elements such as design and "playing" with the new brand are of much greater importance. The new GEA Farm Technologies collection combines people with the brand - according to the motto: "We are GEA Farm Technologies, we are proud of this and we want to show it." It doesn't mean that we are about to branch out into the fashion industry!

3. How many items will the collection comprise and in what way will they stand out?

 
The GEA Farm Technologies collection will comprise six items in the first stage. We're starting with a basic range: shirt, polo-shirt, t-shirt, sweat jacket, softshell jacket and as a particular "gem" a smart all-round/laptop bag. Simply beautiful and high-quality items, which are genuinely comfortable. When it comes to colours, GEA Farm Technologies is of course again represented - naturally, because the clothes are after all about our brand. Essentially this first step comprises the classical colours with clever gimmicks, which set a bold and fresh accent. The cuts have been chosen so that they will appeal to both men and women as well as young and old. The result is both a professional design and product.

4. Who is responsible for the designs?

 
The designer is Anett Schmitz. She was recommended to us as a partner. It is well known that a recommendation is the best form of reference. Frau Schmitz has turned her hobby into a job. During her design study course, she was already working as a promoter and thus knew from her own experience what strengths and functionalities promotional clothing should possess. Since then she has worked in a wide range of industries and for a wide range of companies. The range of her designs extends from school clothing, through to corporate wear right up to "sexy" Marlboro action clothing. This is the first time she has been involved with agriculture. A visit to EuroTier could not be missed, in order to get a nose for the cowshed atmosphere and to get to know her target group better.

5. When can we expect to be able to get hold of the new items?

 
It is planned that the GEA Farm Technologies collection will be available from May. More precise details on availability are to follow . However, you will all be able to get hold of them.