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Publisher / Managing Editor
Françoise THUILLIER
Tél.: 33.(0)4.42.92.00.06
Fax: 33.(0)4.42.92.17.80 info@irrigazette.com
Published by E.U.R.L. IRRIGAZETTE
Capital of 50000F
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| > CLASSIFIED AD AND INDUSTRY NEWS |
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| NaanDanJain establishes a subsidiary in Romania |
17/01/12
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NaanDanJain, an international water and irrigation technology company, has established a fully-owned subsidiary in Romania. Until recently, there has been almost no commercial vegetable production in Romania and most produce is imported. Following accession to the European Union, Romania has started to grow vegetables on a commercial scale. NaanDanJain has undertaken to work with European foundations to raise the level of agriculture to EU standards. Amir Bar, manager of NaanDanJain Europe said: “Establishing the company in Romania represents a significant breakthrough for NaanDanJain in the developing countries of Eastern Europe. Despite the ongoing financial crisis, we have positioned ourselves firmly in Europe through four wholly-owned subsidiaries. The crisis has affected all irrigation companies in Europe; however, in spite of the difficulties in the sector, our sales are stable and we have even increased our market share, particularly in Spain, where we are involved in several turnkey projects”. The company has reported significant operational growth at its production plant in Spain, which manufactures advanced irrigation systems for all European countries. The production plant covers 10,000 square meters and includes facilities for the production of diverse irrigation lines, with an annual capacity of 100 million meters, i.e. a daily average of 274 kilometers.
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| Galcon expands its presence in the U.S. market |
17/01/12
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Galcon’s controllers, including the bestselling hose end controllers (9000 series), the battery operated controllers with inline valve (7000 series), and the professional battery operated 6000 series, have been sold in the United States for more than 20 years under the DIG brand name. The introduction of Galcon’s products, under its own brand name in the U.S., supports a larger expansion plan, set to position Galcon’s irrigation products head-to-head with the leading manufacturers in the American market. As part of this change, Galcon has established Galcon USA, a wholly owned and operated subsidiary, and has appointed M. Roy Levinson as the Managing Director of the new entity.
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| Phil Burkart Assumes the Presidency of the IA |
17/01/12
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Phil Burkart, vice president of The Toro Company and GM of Toro Irrigation Business, begins his term as president of the Irrigation Association. Bob Dobson, Middletown Sprinkler Company, becomes president-elect, while Warren Thoma assumes the vice presidency. John Vikupitz, Netafim USA, moves into the position of treasurer and Mark Huntley of John Deere Water is the past president. New board members include James Barrett, Warren Gorowitz, Robert Meaney, Jay Robbins and Diane Toth.
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| John Deere Golf Discontinues its Irrigation Activities |
17/01/12
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John Deere Golf recently announced that the company is discontinuing its golf irrigation business. Signature Control Systems will begin selling golf irrigation products through its own distribution network that will include specifically selected John Deere Golf distributors worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, irrigation sales will no longer be a part of the John Deere Golf portfolio, but the company will continue to support customers who have installed John Deere Golf irrigation systems. “John Deere Golf’s irrigation customers will continue to receive the same outstanding support they’ve come to expect from our irrigation sales staff,” said Gregg Breningmeyer, head of the international golf sector at John Deere Golf. “For additional support, John Deere Landscapes will continue to stock and provide replacement parts at more than 400 locations across the U.S.” This strategic realignment will enable both John Deere Golf and Signature Control Systems to focus on their own areas of core competencies. “Both John Deere Golf and Signature Control Systems remain committed to our relationship and committed to the industry,” continued Gregg Breningmeyer. “Through our core competencies, both companies will help golf club superintendents create the best possible playing surfaces at their courses.”
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| Paulo Felix is the new President of the European Irrigation Association |
17/01/12
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Paulo Felix, Director of the Fluidra Group’s Irrigation and Fluid Handling business areas, has been appointed as President of the European Irrigation Association (EIA), a non-profit making organisation that represents the irri¬gation industry at European institu¬tions and international organisations. During his three years as head of the EIA, Paulo Felix will represent the irrigation sector and strive to contribute towards its development through the organisation of training and certification programs for contractors and professionals, with a view to guarantee the sustainable use of water and promote energy saving measures. Paulo Felix, aged 38 and of Portuguese nationalty, graduated in Materials Engineering at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the New University of Lisbon. He joined Fluidra in 1999 as General Manager of Cepex Portugal, after working at Rain Bird, one of the largest global manufacturers of irrigation equipment. He sub¬sequently became the International Commercial Director for Cepex Holding. Before his appointment as Director of the Irrigation and Fluid Handling business areas, Paulo was responsible for developing the Fluidra Group’s NEEMEA operations (North-East Europe, Middle East & Africa).
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| IA Show : New Product Contest |
17/01/12
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The New Product Contest, IA’s annual recognition of the most innovative products released in the last 12 months, recognized first and second place innovations in four categories: Golf • Winner: The Toro Company for their Precision Sense Site Assessment. • Runner Up: Rain Bird for their Integrated Sensor System (ISS). Special Category • Winner: Cleveland Tubing, Inc. for their Flex-Drain The Flexible T/ Y™. • Runner Up: Easy Pro Pond Products for their Vianti Falls Kit. Agriculture • Winner: Valmont Irrigation for their Valley Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) with CropMetrics VRI Optimization. • Runner Up: HIT Products Corporation for their Water Tool Sand Media Modular Filter. Landscape • Winner: Rain Bird for their Rain Bird® HE-VAN High-Efficiency Variable Arc Spray Nozzle. • Runner Up: Weathermatic for their SmartLink Wireless Landscape Network. IA also presented its annual awards, which recognize individuals and organizations for their efforts to advance irrigation practices, technologies and the industry overall: The 2012 Irrigation Show will be held Nov. 4 – 5 in Orlando. Look for updates at www.irrigationshow.org.
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| Cemagref : The irrigation industry is looking at ways of making further savings on energy and water resources |
17/01/12
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IRSTEA’s test and research laboratory at Aix en Provence will be holding its third Science and Technology Open Day, to take place on Thursday 15th March 2012, its main theme being: The irrigation industry is looking at ways of making further savings (on energy and water resources). The aim is to bring together, during the World Water Forum in Marseilles, a wide group of professionals and scientists, through the exhibition of equipment and materials and by holding conferences/debates about current technological advances and research. Here is the presentation of the day: The rise in the cost of energy and water has been a great source of concern for both the agricultural and green space communities. More¬over, the pressures and tensions that arise at regular intervals over the use of water makes us ask some questions about the prioriti¬sa¬tion and challenges surrounding its use. Therefore, controlling the con¬sump¬tion of water and energy represents a very similar logical approach. The object of the first session is to share the perceptions held by the water users about these issues, and to reflect on some of the experiences that our partners involved in research and technical support have had in these areas. Comments and views on the availability of water resources are becoming more and more common when discussing the small water cycle. Using water in successive stages, from the most quality deman¬ding uses to the most quality tolerant uses, or even assessing the levels of certain forms of pollution in the water, are expanding prac-tices. Sharing experiences and obtaining a better understanding of the potential impacts and constraints linked to the handling of treated wastewater are the main objectives of the second session. All of the presentations will be bilingual (English and French), just like the diploma-awarding training courses organised by the EIA (European Irrigation Association) on 13th and 14th March, open to irrigation professionals from the agricultural and parks and gardens sectors.
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| Peru’s National Stadium: modernised, expanded and with new sprinkler system |
25/10/11
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The National Stadium in the Peruvian capital of Lima was built way back in 1952. Over the last two years, it has undergone a complete refurbishment. Today the stadium has a very modern look, with its capacity significantly increased from 45,000 to 60,000 seats.
The pitch, too, is in form. It is supplied with water by a powerful sprinkler system from Perrot and the company’s Spanish partner VYRSA. The two sprinkler system specialists have been collaborating closely for many years and now also cooperate increasingly on production and development.
The opening match on 21st July is awaited with great excitement. VYRSA and Perrot both trust that it will be a thrilling game.
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| Inauguration of Zinedine Zidane’s Z5 sports complex. |
25/10/11
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On 23rd June this year, Zinedine Zidane opened his first sports complex for « five-a-side football » at the Aix les Milles business enterprise zone.
The Z5 complex has chosen Rain Bird equipment for watering the synthetic pitches and outside grass areas.
Each football pitch is equipped with the 8005 series sprinklers with nozzles that use Rain Curtain technology™ to ensure maximum uniformity. The site is controlled by PGA series solenoid valves and an ESP-LXME controller. This is enhanced by the IQ2 Rain Bird Central Control systems, allowing the user to optimise the use of irrigation windows between matches.
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| Launch of Amnondrip lines in spain |
25/10/11
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With an investment of over €5 million, some of the most advanced manufacturing lines were inaugurated.
Sales forecast: €23 million by 2016. Person in charge: Amir Bar
The company recently inaugurated some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing lines on one of its sites in Almeria, Spain. Over the past few years, the company has invested over €5 million in the manufacturing site in Spain, which has become the NaanDanJain Group’s second largest manufacturing center in the world, as well as the most modern site.
Reinforcing our subsidiary NaanDanJain Iberica in Spain will enable us to strengthen our commercial relationship with the countries of South America and North Africa. This subsidiary will also serve as a manufacturing center for all of Europe.
A large sum was invested in extrusion lines in order to create drip-irrigation extensions with the world’s most advanced technologies. This investment is expected to produce sales of €23 million by 2016.
The inauguration of the manufacturing line was attended by Israel's Ambassador to Spain, M. Rafael Shotz, together with the company’s CEO, M. Avner Hermoni, and the CEO of the subsidiary in Spain, M. Carlos Lavilla.
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| Sunny days and record crowds at the 4th Innov-agri event |
25/10/11
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There were 35,000 visitors from some thirty departments of the Grand Sud-Ouest region of France, converging on the Lycée d’Ondes site, which held the 4th Innov-Agri Grand Sud-Ouest event on 7th and 8th Sep?tem?ber of this year. The sunshine and record crowds mean that there will be many happy memories of the 2011 event.
More than 600 items of equipment presented by 210 exhibitors on a 70-hectare site gave the very attentive visitors the opportunity to ensure that their investments are relevant and to check the performance of each machine under real conditions.
For the first time the Innov-Agri trophies have been organised for the South-West: just before the show opened, a panel of professionals came to judge the equipment, operating on the actual show ground itself. This is a way of rewarding constructors or suppliers who provide the appropriate response for specific problems in the field.
Innov-Agri grand Sud-ouest is a show organised by professionals for professionals.
It has been decided that the 5th Innov-Agri Grand Sud Ouest event will take place on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th September 2013 and Innov-Agri will be held in Outarville, in the department of Loiret, on 4th, 5th and 6th September 2012.
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| Ian Roberts, new general manager of Rain Bird Europe |
25/10/11
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Rain Bird is pleased to announce that Ian Roberts started as Rain Bird Europe’s General Manager on September 5th.
Ian comes with extensive experience in Sales & Marketing as well as the general management of international companies.
Ian has a degree in economics from the UK and an executive MBA degree from the University of Georgia. He is fluent in English, French, Italian and German.
His experience will be valuable in helping Rain Bird Europe to continue increasing its business over the coming years.
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| Fluidra’s sales grow by 12% and profits by 18% |
25/10/11
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Sales reached 374.6 million euros (+11.6%) thanks to internationalisation and the success of diversification in Irrigation and Fluid Handling Net profit went up 17.5% to 24.2 million euros, which reflects improved performance as a result of the company’s efforts to improve its management
The company will pay out a dividend of 8 million euros on 7 October, double the amount paid out last year
The most notable events of the second quarter have been the opening of a new subsidiary in Serbia (Fluidra Adriatic) and a second branch office in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition, Fluidra has introduced a new model for its outlets in Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Alcalá (Madrid) and Castellón. This new concept focuses on satisfying customer needs by providing efficient service, showrooms with informative displays, self-service areas and training sessions for its clients. The model will be gradually introduced to all of Fluidra’s outlets.
Eloi Planes, Fluidra’s CEO, said that “the results for the second quarter continue to show the positive trends in sales and performance recorded up to March, all of which was the result of the successful implementation of our strategy and the smooth merger of the companies acquired. In the second half of the year, we will continue to work on the development of emerging markets, turnkey projects and improved efficiency.”
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| Paulo Felix, new director of the Irrigation and Fluid Handling business units at Fluidra |
25/10/11
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Paulo Felix has been appointed as director of the Irrigation and Fluid Handling Business Units at the Fluidra Group. In this position he is responsible for managing the global strategy of these two business units, which represent more than 13% of the group’s turnover.
Paulo Felix, who is Portuguese and aged 37 years, has a degree in Materials engineering at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the New University of Lisbon. He joined Fluidra in 1999 as General Manager of Cepex Portugal, having come from Rainbird, one of the largest manufacturers in the world of irrigation products, before being made head of international sales at Cepex Holding. Before taking up his current post, Paulo Felix was responsible for the development of the NEEMEA operations (North-east Europe, Middle East and Africa) for the Fluidra Group.
The Irrigation and Fluid Handling Business Units, which have recorded respective growth figures of 30% and 13% for the first six months of 2011, as a result of product diversification and the policy of innovation implemented by the company, are two of the Group’s strategic sectors.
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| Bauer Group ends financial year 2010/11 with best results ever |
25/10/11
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The Voitsberg-based Bauer Group ended the financial year 2010/2011 (as at September 30th ) with the highest sales figures in the company’s history: this represented an organic growth rate, i.e. without company acquisitions, of 9.4%, increasing from 145 million in 2009/2010 to 160 million Euros this year. The number of employees rose to approximately 600 and exports now represent 95%.
For company CEO, Otto Roiss, the reason for this increase in worldwide sales lies in the fact that the products are economically and ecologically innovative. Furthermore, 5% of turnover went into research and development.
In reality, the secret of Bauer’s success during the previous financial year lies in the fact that, on the one hand, large contracts were signed, such as those in Iraq, and, on the other, the business had a very broad base worldwide.
As CEO, Otto Roiss, stressed at the presentation of the company’s financial statement, Bauer’s share of the Russian and Chinese market grew strongly over the last twelve
months.
In relative terms, Romania and Bulgaria grew the most, although the sprinkler and slurry
treatment sector is also doing very well in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
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| Reinke Promotes Alexandrov to Director of Sales, CIS and Eastern Europe |
25/10/11
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Reinke Manufacturing, Inc., a leading manufacturer of mechanized irrigation systems, is pleased to announce the promotion of Oleg Alexandrov to director of sales, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and Eastern Europe. Mr. Alexandrov was previously international sales representative for the company.
“Since joining Reinke, Oleg has quickly demonstrated his leadership capabilities and expertise in helping to drive our efforts internationally,” said Reinke President Chris Roth. “We all congratulate him on this well deserved promotion and are fortunate to have such talent in our team.”
In his new role, Oleg will direct dealership growth opportunities and lead sales generation efforts in the CIS and Eastern European markets. He has been with Reinke since 2009, and was previously part of the international sales support group at Spudnik Equipment Company in Blackfoot, Idaho. He holds a Master of Science degree in agronomy from the College of Agriculture at Tymiryazev Agriculture Academy in Moscow, Russia, and completed the MAST International Program at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.
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| SIRIA : In memory of Piergiorgio Fenzi |
25/10/11
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Piergiorgio Fenzi, an Italian pioneer in the irrigation industry, sadly passed away on 19th July 2011.
Founder and managing director of SIRIA S.p.A., Piergiorgio was an iconic figure in the Italian market on account of his history of fairness and seriousness since he started the activity more than 45 years ago, with constant success and a spirit of innovation.
In 1971, he created Picoplast, a company involved in polyethylene hose production, enabling him to understand where and how the water industry was going and future business possibilities.
His capacity to meet market demands pushed him to set up SIRIA in 1976, with the knowledge that professional irrigation would soon grow and become an important market.
The constant idea was to have more professional products, and become the most innovative supplier, with a view to provide technical advise and customer support.
We want to remember him for his sense of fairness, professionalism and consistency in the workplace and his great human values, being sensitive and attentive to human relationships in the all situations.
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| Permira funds acquire majority stake in leading smart drip irrigation company Netafim |
25/10/11
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Permira, the European private equity firm with global reach, announces today that the Permira funds have agreed to acquire a stake of up to 61 per cent in Netafim Ltd (“Netafim”), the global leader in smart drip and micro irrigation solutions, from the Kibbutzim Hatzerim, Yiftach and Magal and Israeli funds Markstone and Tene. Kibbutz Hatzerim will remain a significant shareholder with Kibbutz Magal also retaining a minority stake. Completion of the acquisition is subject to the customary antitrust conditions.
Founded in 1965 in Israel, Netafim provides smart drip and micro irrigation solutions for sustainable agriculture. It has transformed traditional flooding/sprinkler-based irrigation by pioneering an innovative new product using dripper lines providing spiral water passageways through which water flow can be controlled and delivered directly to the roots of crops, thereby increasing crop yield by up to 50% whilst saving up to 40% in water consumption. The company has also expanded into landscaping, greenhouse projects, and biofuel energy crops such as sugar cane.
For the past ten years Netafim has delivered double digit revenue growth by improving agricultural yield and enabling sustainable food production. Its broad range of products and services address some of today’s key global production challenges including water shortage, land and food scarcity. With more than a 30 percent global market share and a presence in over 100 countries, Netafim is a leader in a growing market and continues to target double digit revenue growth in the coming years.
The Permira funds, together with existing shareholders Kibbutzim Hatzerim and Magal, are backing Netafim’s current management to accelerate revenue growth and further expand internationally, especially in emerging markets such as China and South America. Operating from three production sites in Israel and numerous extrusion lines in different regions, the global business has significant potential to further penetrate existing markets, expand into new geographic regions and extend its product range.
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