BERTHOUD showed its Raptor self-propelled sprayer. The Raptor sports a rear boom, and is available with 3,200-, 4,200- and 5,200-litre capacities, and has booms from 24 to 42 meters. The spray also has a DEUTZ engine and a roadspeed up to 40 km/hr. Patrick Denizet says Berthoud has increased its turnover 30% since 2007, and exports make up about one-third of the company’s sales.

Thierry Moreau says the company has a broad range of sprayers that have significant potential in North America. He’s confident Berthoud can service and support their products, too, but the company wants a minimum amount of dealers and sales established before expanding. The exchange rate between the dollar and euro is also a big factor, Moreau says.