The Dutch technology company Priva and the Belgian R&D group Octinion will merge their horticultural robotics activities under the Kompano flag. The formalities will be rounded off in the next few weeks. By combining their expertise and technology, they will create a strong and pioneering technology company whose core business is innovation in horticultural robotics in an international market that is experiencing strong growth. The management will consist of Tom Coen and Ronald Zeelen. Tom Coen will take on the role of CEO.
Horticultural robotics
Both Priva and Octinion have invested a lot of time, energy, and money in developing robotic innovations for the horticulture sector over the years. Priva has concentrated on developing a leafcutting robot for tomato cultivation, whereas Octinion has developed a strawberry picking robot and a UV-C robot to tackle diseases in greenhouses. The high global interest in these types of applications proves the value of robotic innovations in the horticulture sector and their enormous potential.
Shared ambitions
To further achieve the potential of robotics in the sector, both companies see advantages in joining forces, creating synergy by sharing knowledge on technology, and scaling up research and application. The announced merger will create a leading technology company in this new market with strong growth targets around the world. To strengthen its leading position in the market, the Priva Kompano Group will launch a new innovative robot on the market periodically.
The need for robotization
Demographic and socio-economic figures show that the shortage of labor in the horticulture sector is a limiting factor for growth and leads to decreasing food security worldwide. Growers indicate their need
for new ways to automate manual and repetitive (picking) activities, therefore, also optimize the quality of the harvest.
Meiny Prins, CEO of Priva: “Food security and the energy transition are leading themes in the horticulture sector worldwide. It is wonderful to see how both Priva’s and Octinion’s missions put food security interests worldwide at the heart of innovative solutions. The step to robotization is an important revolution in which we can make a huge difference in the world’s need for sustainable innovations in the horticulture sector.”
Ronald Zeelen, Meiny Prins, Tom Coen.
Tom Coen, CEO Octinion: “It is not surprising that two family businesses that have clear aspirations were able to find common ground. Our organizational cultures are similar, and we share the same vision for the future of the horticulture sector. This is a strategic match, and it is now being expressed in a strong new company that is eager to launch its innovative applications in the horticulture sector.”
For more information:
Priva
[email protected]
www.priva.com
Octinion
[email protected]
www.octinion.com