NEWS
New developments in the Agriculture industry
ABB pumping technology helps rescue parched farms in India
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BB has deployed five of its highest-capacity motors – each capable of pumping 23,000 litres per second – as part of the Mahatma Gandhi Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme. Years of severe drought have created a water crisis in the Mahbubnagar region in Telangana, a state in southern India where half the population of 35 million depends on agriculture to earn a living. The water table had virtually depleted and the
monsoon rains now only last three to four months a year. The only option for providing adequate water for farming and drinking is to pump it from the Krishna River to a reservoir nearly 300 metres above. From there, through a gravity-driven ‘lift irrigation’ system, the water can be channelled through nearly 100 kilometres of canals to the parched farms and more than 300 villages that were at risk of turning to desert. That 12-year-long project, the Mahatma Gandhi Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme (MGKLIS), was recently completed. This was made possible only through considerable feats of civil engineering: industrial-strength water pumping technology and electric-power management systems that ABB, with decades of irrigation experience in India, provided. Visit: www.abb.com
Key Technology expands capacity in the Netherlands K
ey Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies and a leading producer of potato processing equipment, has completed its facility expansion in Beusichem, the Netherlands. The upgrade increases Key’s production capacity at this location by 50% and features larger cranes with greater lifting capabilities, a thoroughly refurbished working environment, enhanced customer visitor experience and more. Together with its state-of-the-art Innovation and Solutions Centre in Hasselt, Belgium, the Netherlands facility speeds delivery of Key’s optical sorters and vibratory conveying solutions to food processors in Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa (EMEIA) and elsewhere.
Apollo Vredestein makes new appointment
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uropean premium tyre brand Apollo Vredestein’s UK office has just appointed Jon Cottrell as the Off-Highway Tyre Specialist for the UK Agricultural & Industrial sectors, to manage that everincreasing side of the Netherlands-based marque’s product range.
16 Industry Europe
Jack Ehren, President and CEO of Key Technology: “Our ongoing investments in Europe reflect our commitment to delivering the greatest value to food processors throughout the region. By manufacturing our VERYX® sorters and Iso-Flo® conveyors in Europe as well as the US, we serve our customers more quickly and effectively.” Visit: www.key.net
Jon Cottrell brings with him over 30 years of tyre industry experience, from warehouse to sales management positions. “My career has mainly focused on commercial, agricultural and industrial/off-road sectors working with both manufacturers and retailers,” explains Jon. “Apollo Vredestein has a solid background in commercial and agricultural tyres, with the
Deere to acquire Spanish company King Agro
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eere & Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire King Agro, a privately-held manufacturer of carbon fibre technology products with headquarters in Valencia, Spain and a production facility in Campana, Argentina. “This transaction provides John Deere customers the chance to benefit further from King Agro’s unique knowledge, designs, and expertise in carbon fibre technology,” said John May, President, Agricultural Solutions & Chief Information Officer, at John Deere. In 2015, John Deere and King Agro agreed to develop and distribute carbon fibre booms for John Deere application equipment in agriculture, offering growers the significant advantages of carbon fibre’s versatility, strength and durability in self-propelled spraying equipment. May said the transaction will provide benefits in sharing best practices in product development, manufacturing, technology, as well as in scale as King Agro builds on a history of innovation. King Agro has been a family-owned business with approximately 180 employees and an extensive 30-year history of developing various carbon fibre products. In agriculture, the company has targeted innovative designs that improve productivity and lower costs. Visit: www.deere.com top tractor segment tyre Traxion Optimall having been added to the latter’s range only three months ago,” says Karl Naylor, Apollo Vredestein UK Country Manager. “We have ambitious development plans to ensure market growth in those sectors, and Jon’s appointment is part of such plans to bring the very best to customers under the Apollo and Vredestein brands.” Visit: www.apollovredestein.com
