Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has purchased the SGIS agronomic desktop software business from AGCO Corp., a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment located in Duluth, GA.

SGIS is an existing product that has been serving the needs of agriculture retailers and customers since 1993, enabling and simplifying variable rate application for agronomists and custom applicators. It continues to be recognized as a leading tool for layering of farm data, equation development and resultant output of variable rate prescriptions.  The acquisition is viewed as a logical and progressive step in the “strategic partnership for technology” between AGCO and Topcon signed in 2009.

Joe Tevis, former director of SGIS who continues as director of agronomic products and services for Topcon Precision Agriculture, said, “SGIS agronomic software is an excellent complement to Topcon’s rate control, automatic steering systems and CropSpec ‘On the Go’ crop canopy sensors. It will help customers in visualizing data layers and combining data with agronomics to better implement precision agriculture across their farm or agronomic enterprise.”

SGIS software was originally developed to help agronomists gather and bring together various layers of agronomic data to streamline and refine variable rate prescription operations.  Tevis said, “It has been a tool valued by crop consultants when employing variable rate application to meet the needs of customers. When paired with the existing Topcon Precision Ag product suite, this adds additional value for customers.”

Albert Zahalka, president of Topcon Precision Agriculture (TPA), said, “Agronomic technology is one of the key ingredients to creating solutions that truly optimize our customers’ workflow and productivity.  This purchase agreement demonstrates that Topcon is dedicated to developing superior products and solutions for the marketplace.”
 
Doug Griffin, vice president of global marketing for AGCO said, “We’re confident that Topcon will build upon the current SGIS foundation to create new and exciting products for our applications customers.  Clearly, Topcon is beginning to lead the industry for site specific technology and we are pleased that SGIS has become part of the Topcon suite.”

 
About AGCO - AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE: AGCO), a Fortune 500 company, was founded in 1990 and offers a full product line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment, tillage, implements, and related replacement parts. AGCO agricultural products are sold under the core brands of Challenger(R), Fendt(R), Massey Ferguson(R) and Valtra(R) and are distributed globally through 2,600 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries worldwide. Retail financing is available through AGCO Finance for qualified purchasers. AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2010, AGCO had net sales of $6.9 billion. http://www.agcocorp.com

Topcon Precision Agriculture is a business unit of Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. (TPS). TPS designs and manufactures precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. TPS’ parent company, Topcon Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange – 7732), was founded in 1932.