Growth of HARDI

As HARDI utilizes the increased market for sophisticated sprayers, the introduction of new products continues. The already introduced global products such as the New COMMANDER series has had great success, and therefore, many large investments have been initiated by the HARDI group.

Future oriented HARDI
HARDI has a high level of ambition for the future regarding product development plans, market penetration and the service level towards our end users - all initiatives causing comprehensive investments that are part of the HARDI strategic plan.

Based on increased market share in present markets and the introduction of new market areas, during the next 5 years, HARDI turnover is expected to increase considerably. As we are faced with the increased demand for new larger sprayers for existing markets, the plan entails the introduction of new products in new product segments. On top of this, development of higher technology for new market segments will be essential.

As you will know, during the past 2 years, HARDI has launched many new products within the various areas of field spraying, orchards, gardens and golf. For instance, the New COMMANDER 3200 and 4400 trailed sprayers were introduced in 2005. Since then, this platform has been extended to the larger COMMANDER 6600 and the launch of the “intelligent sprayer” – where 7 intelligent functions increase the capacity and allow the sprayer operator easier and safer operation. The COMMANDER series has achieved international recognition in many countries and has been awarded more than 16 product prizes in Europe and Australia. In other words, the intelligent COMMANDER has set a new standard for the sprayers of the future.

During 2006, a new series of self-propelled sprayers – ALPHA VariTrack, a smaller trailed series – RANGER 2200 as well as a new mistblower range – ZATURN - was introduced. These products are all members of the first wave of HARDI’s new global product strategy.

Launch of more new products
HARDI’s product plans are far more comprehensive. By year-end 2008, HARDI is going to launch another 10 product news. This means that more than 50% of HARDI’s product portfolio will have been renewed within a 5 years’ period. This renewal of the product range emphasizes HARDI’s very high level of ambition within innovation and higher capacity for the sprayers of the future.

Increased market for advanced spraying technique
Another important circumstance is that substantial structural development is taking place in many of HARDI’s main markets. This means that the farms are becoming larger, and the demand for more capacity and higher technology is resulting in an increased demand for trailed and self-propelled sprayers with advanced spraying technique.


Large investments
To adapt to the increased demand from the end users, considerable investments have been planned in the areas of more centralized, efficient, and flexible production.
The most important investments in 2007 are:

• More robot welding facilities in Norre Alslev. Investment in a flexible robot welding equipment and more new robot cells will take place to secure a fully automated production of steel parts for the whole product range. Competences within robot welding will be strengthened in the Norre Alslev factory and utilized globally as the factory will provide robot welded components of very high quality for the HARDI group.
• The Norre Alslev factory maintains its leading position by investing in even larger capacity of the laser cutting machines. In the future, we shall be able to laser cut in considerably stronger dimensions – more than a 20 mm plate thickness.
• The test centre in Norre Alslev will be extended by doubling the Spray Scanner area. All assembled sprayers will be tested according to the BBA and NSTS standards demanded for delivery of new sprayers to most of the European markets.
• Building extension of 2,500 m² in HARDI’s North American domicile in Davenport. The activities in North America have to be strengthened by a wider product portfolio and optimization of the activities for the USA and Canada.
• Test station in Beaurainville, France. In HARDI’s French factory – totalling 200 employees today – considerably increased activities within production of self-propelled will take place. Consequently, there will be investments in new test facilities of assembled machines. These facilities will give the possibility of an indoor functional test of all machines before delivery.