Analysis
Hemisphere GPS Announces First OEM Alliance in China for Outback Guidance Precision Farming Products with FOTON LOVOL
Hemisphere GPS and FOTON LOVOL International Heavy Industry Co., LTD announced their OEM alliance to launch Outback Guidance® precision farming products in China. FOTON LOVOL is a leading manufacturer of tractor, harvester and construction machinery in China with sales of US$2.04B in 2009. Under the alliance agreement, FOTON LOVOL is now offering Hemisphere GPS' Outback S3™ guidance systems, eDriveX™ automated steering solutions and A220/A221™ RTK GPS products, that combined, automatically steer farm vehicles at centimeter-level accuracy.
FOTOThe Outback Guidance products by Hemisphere GPS allow FOTON LOVOL to offer innovative automated steering solutions that will further enhance the performance of our tractors, says Huiyan Meng, Chief Manager of Hydraulic and Electric Control, R&D Center at FOTON LOVOL. The Chinese agricultural market will benefit from improved yields and lower costs through increased automation of their farming practices.
The most demanding farming techniques including high precision planting, cultivating and bedding are improved through the reliable and repeatable performance of Outback eDriveX. FOTON LOVOL customers will be able to improve their efficiency with eDriveX by automatically steering the tractors in straight, free form contour and circle pivot guidance modes - including when moving in reverse. As a result, Chinese farmers will achieve more uniform treatments, reduce waste, and conserve fuel all while reducing driver fatigue.
Aligning with a market leader like FOTON LOVOL is a turbo boost to our entry into the China market, stated Steven Koles, President and CEO of Hemisphere GPS. There is a significant trend in China towards larger tractors and the implementation of advanced farming technology. Our Outback Guidance systems are a perfect tie-in with FOTON LOVOL's new higher horsepower tractors and significantly enhances our position in one of the world's largest agriculture markets.