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Prolonged drought in Australia and a downturn in agriculture in the US and Ukraine are affecting the European farm machinery sector.
Exel Industries, the owner of many spray machinery brands, eg Hardi, Tecnoma, Evrard and Agrifac, has closed two factories, at Noyers-Saint-Martin and Saint-Denis-de L’Hotel. Production will be transferred to Beaurainville and Epernay, respectively.
This consolidation into ‘centres of excellence’ will see Beaurainville focus on self-propelled sprayers sold under the Matrot, Evrard and Hardi brands. And Epernay will specialise in self-propelled units for Berthoud and Tecnoma.
The company’s factories at Belleville and Norre Alsley (Denmark) will develop and produce mounted and trailed machines for Berthoud/Tecnoma and the Hardi/Evrard brands, respectively.
The company says the restructure will allow it to focus more on the global brands to make them stronger, clearer and more distinctive.
The Evrard, Matrot and Berthoud brands will offer a range of premium products for large-scale arable farms, while Hardi and Tecnoma will be aimed at the mainstream market.
“This consolidation is not only designed to stimulate innovation and new product development, but to lower production costs and improve quality,” said group chief executive Guerric Ballu.
“The centres of excellence will also allow us to develop new technologies in precision agriculture, electronics, robotics and artificial intelligence.”
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
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More Australian states are embracing virtual fencing technology, opening growth opportunities for Kiwi companies like Halter.
Fonterra says its ongoing legal battle with Australian processor Bega Cheese won’t change its divestment plans.
Farmers in the Australian state of New South Wales will soon be able to use virtual fencing and herding technology to boost farm productivity.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.
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