Tag: Raven Industries

Raven Industries partners with Razor Tracking for ag retailers, enterprise growers

Raven Industries has partnered with Razor Tracking, an SaaS and mobile application-based fleet tracking and management system, to provide ag retailers and enterprise farms with an expanded fleet and asset tracking suite through the company’s Slingshot platform.

As a result of this partnership, Slingshot Fleet Tracking will be available as the integrated logistics tracking component of the Raven Slingshot platform. According to Raven, Slingshot Fleet Tracking allows users to seamlessly and wirelessly connect their office to the field by providing accurate location and machine running data in real-time. This partnership gives ag retailers and growers immediate fleet information — including work, idle and transit times — to better manage their equipment, assets and operations, the companies said.

“This agreement enables Raven to quickly expand unmatched value to our growing ag retailer and grower customer base,” said Paul Welbig, director of Slingshot services & logistics for Raven Applied Technology. “From machine performance to diagnostics, and now expanded tracking of both in-field and operation support assets, users of Raven’s Connected Workflow can expect 20% efficiencies gained when using the technology delivered through the integrated Slingshot platform. This partnership continues our focus to offer efficiency-driving solutions that help reduce variability and increase profitability for our customers.”

By leveraging Razor Tracking’s capabilities, Slingshot Fleet Tracking provides users with accurate real-time data on where their vehicles and assets are located to better maintain schedules for dispatching and increase overall efficiency, the companies added. Through the partnership, users will now also be able to monitor non-Raven equipped assets, including other battery-connected equipment and non-powered equipment.

Customers will be able to subscribe to Slingshot Fleet Tracking to use it in their own operations beginning June 2020.

February 28, 2020
Raven grows precision ag facility in South Dakota

Raven Industries has given South Dakota State University (SDSU) $5 million to establish a precision agriculture facility within the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences on its main campus in Brookings, South Dakota.

SDSU is the first U.S. land-grant university in the country to offer both a four-year degree and a minor in precision agriculture.

The facility will be the nexus for innovation and collaboration across several disciplines, including engineering, agronomy, horticulture, mathematics and the decision sciences, according to SDSU President Barry Dunn.

It will enhance innovation and the development of educational programs that will deliver applications to enable data-driven decisions in precision farming, ranching and conservation, as well as promote collaboration between faculty, students and industry experts.

February 5, 2018
Precision agriculture market to reach $5B in 2021

The global market for precision agriculture solutions is forecast to grow from €2.2 billion ($2.6 billion) in 2016 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6 percent to reach about €4.2 billion ($5 billion) in 2021, according to a research report from the market analyst firm Berg Insight.

A set of technologies are applied in precision farming practices that are aimed at managing variations in the field to maximize yield, raise productivity and reduce consumption of agricultural inputs. While solutions such as auto-guidance and machine monitoring and control via onboard displays are mainstream technologies in the agricultural industry, telematics and variable rate technology (VRT) are still in the early stages of adoption.

Interoperability between hardware and software solutions remains a challenge, although standardization initiatives led by organizations such as Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation and AgGateway are making progress.

Most major agricultural equipment manufacturers have initiatives related to precision agriculture, although strategies vary markedly. Leading vendors include agricultural equipment manufacturer Deere & Company, followed by the U.S.-based precision technology vendors Trimble, Topcon Positioning Systems, Raven Industries and Ag Leader Technology. Hexagon further holds a strong position in the positioning segment through its subsidiary NovAtel.

A group of companies have emerged as leaders in the nascent market for in-field sensor systems. These include Davis Instruments, Pessl Instruments with its METOS brand, Semios, Hortau, AquaSpy and CropX.

January 17, 2018
Forsberg Acquires Raven’s StarLink GNSS Product Line

Forsberg Services Ltd. has acquired the StarLink product line from Raven Industries. StarLink includes inline amplifiers, coaxial down/up converters and fiber-optic link systems to enable and support extended cable runs for GNSS in navigation and time synchronization applications.

Raven Industries’ Starlink GPS down/up converter makes it possible for long cable runs of up to 450 meters.

“This opportunity provides an excellent addition to complement our range of GNSS products and services,” said Chris Mayne, Forsberg operations director. “We have worked closely with Raven Industries as a distributor of the StarLink products for the last three years and appreciate the opportunity to take the product brand forward with its customary high quality and standards.”

Forsberg Services Ltd. is a European navigation systems integrator and OEM component supplier based in Lancaster, U.K and with offices near Hannover, Germany. The company has strong engineering experience in navigation; specializing in PCB, software and mechanical design to produce unique navigation products for a range of applications and market sectors.

For more information, visit the Forsberg Servics website, email [email protected] or call +44-1524-383320.

April 30, 2015
Raven Industries Acquires SBG Innovatie BV and Navtronics BVBA

Raven Industries, Inc. announces that its Applied Technology Division (ATD) has acquired SBG Innovatie BV and its affiliate, Navtronics BVBA. Headquartered in Middenmeer, Netherlands, SBG manufactures advanced GPS steering systems for a variety of agricultural applications. The acquisition broadens Raven’s guided steering system product line by adding high-accuracy implement steering applications. Additionally, SBG’s headquarters will become the new home office for Raven in Europe, expanding the company’s global presence and reach into key European markets. The purchase is not expected to have a material impact on Raven’s fiscal 2015 results.

“SBG specializes in very precise, real time kinematic, or RTK, GPS steering systems with a focus on high-value crops. Their highly accurate implement steering technology broadens Raven’s existing product line and integrates well into the Raven product portfolio.” said Matt Burkhart, ATD’s Division Vice President and General Manager. “We are proud to welcome the SBG organization into the Raven family. Our innovative cultures align very well, and SBG’s leading technology and strong team members will be a great compliment to further Raven’s position as a leader in the precision ag market.”

“Our priorities within ATD are to drive growth through international market expansion, new products and broadening OEM relationships,” said Daniel A. Rykhus, Raven’s president and chief executive officer. “We believe SBG can help further these strategies and position us for success in new markets.”

“We’re excited to join Raven so that, together, we can expand Raven’s footprint in key geographies and augment their expertise and product line,” said Rik van Bruggen, managing director of SBG. “In turn, Raven’s scale and resources will allow SBG to realize our dream of growing the business and helping customers increase yields and efficiencies. Raven is a good partner for us because they are committed to increasing their presence in Europe and providing additional opportunities for our team.”

Effective immediately, SBG’s products will be offered as a part of Raven’s lineup of precision ag products. Sales team members from both companies will be offering the combined product lines.

May 1, 2014