German machinery manufacturer Lemken has announced that it will cease the production of its conventional sprayer range
Lemken has announced that it will cease the production of its conventional sprayer range |
The company has cited increasing regulatory requirements and lack of market relevance as key reasons for exiting the market
“After over 10 years operating in this segment, we have not reached a market-relevant size,” Lemken CEO Anthony van der Ley says. “The legal requirements in each of our markets are increasing and becoming more and more disparate.
“This means that there is no single Lemken field spraying standard that can meet our quality standards and the variety of customer preferences, with which we could achieve a satisfactory production run,” Van der Ley adds.
“We are also seeing that, even from a consumer standpoint, the boundaries for chemical crop care products are becoming ever higher. Although we introduced several future-focused new models at the last Agritechnica, and our team is extremely motivated by the great reception, we are choosing this moment to break from our field spraying range in a responsible manner.”
Lemken will instead reposition its focus on its mechanical weed control and selective crop care departments as well as its cultivation division. Lemken acquired the Dutch hoeing technology specialist Steketee two years ago for this reason.
Van der Ley sees an increasing demand for mechanical weed control with intelligent controls. “Not only does Steketee offer a range of innovative hoeing technology, it also has the most intelligent camera technology on the market,” he says.
“We want to connect these machines to our digital solutions and make them adaptive. The environment is changing very fast right now, this is why farmers and contractors are now positioning themselves, whether they farm organically or conventionally, and are choosing the best model for them to be able to farm smartly and sustainably.
It is a future theme for all of us, to ensure global food security despite environmental restrictions,” he adds.
Lemken’s Haren site which currently produces the sprayers will now be expanded to assemble seed drills. Lemken says this will enable future expansion to meet the steep rise in demand for these products and make space for future models planned in the seed drilling and precision seeding areas.
It will also free up additional space at the company’s main site in Alpen for the production of soil cultivation equipment.
Farmers who own a Lemken field sprayer are guaranteed a continued supply of replacement parts as well as continued access to Lemken customer service. Customer orders will be accepted and fulfilled up until the end of the year.