Topcon Acquires Digi-Star

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Company Announcement, technology

topcon-600x117Topcon Positioning Group announces the acquisition of Digi-Star, a global leader in agricultural solutions involving weight sensors and control systems for feeding, planting, fertilizer, and harvest equipment manufacturers.

“After several years of working on development projects together, we are delighted with this acquisition. Digi-Star and Topcon Precision Agriculture are a perfect fit, bringing complementary technologies and distribution channels to our rapidly growing precision agricultural division,” said Ray O’Connor, president and CEO of Topcon Positioning Group. “At a time when many companies are decreasing their investment in agricultural markets, we are increasingly optimistic about their growth based upon our strong commitment to developing management systems and solutions that bring the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) to every farm.”

Based in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, Digi-Star is a global supplier of electronic equipment, precision sensors, optical yield and feed management sensors, displays, position verification, and software used by farmers and other equipment operators to precisely measure and analyze valuable data from critical farming processes. Digi-Star has a unique balance of expertise in the livestock and grain equipment markets.

Mac Moore, president and CEO of Digi-Star, said, “Topcon and Digi-Star have numerous synergies with electronics, sensors, and integration of specific user interfaces for the agriculture and industrial markets that will complement each other’s customers. Both companies will benefit from the expanded product lines and solutions that progressive customers depend upon for maximum profitability.”

“We are very enthusiastic about the opportunity of combining these companies. In addition to expanding our reach into the farm market segment, this will further extend our scope of field solutions to help us continue strong growth while serving an expanded customer base for Topcon Precision Agriculture, for the aftermarket and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) clients,” said Albert Zahalka, president of Topcon Precision Agriculture. “We are also excited to add the skilled employees and world-class facilities located in the Midwestern United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands to our global agricultural family.”

Digi-Star currently employs more than 220 employees in its three locations, with approximately half located in the U.S. or Europe. Its operations will continue to be based in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin to provide manufacturers, dealers, and end-users a high level of service, support, and product expertise.