Topcon acquires Digi-Star, a global leader in precision agriculture

LIVERMORE, Calif., USA/ CAPELLE A/D IJSSEL, Netherlands – March 23, 2015 – Topcon 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.”

In 2012, Digi-Star purchased RDS Technology, a United Kingdom-based company, which possesses similar technology for agricultural and construction applications — adding engineering, development and manufacturing facilities in Europe.

"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.

“On the heels of our recent Wachendorff Elektronik acquisition, the German-based manufacturer of in-cab consoles, this acquisition is another key part of our global strategy to strengthen our ability to serve OEMs and continue the growth of Topcon manufacturing in Europe,” he said. “It also increases our precision agriculture family to approximately 600 of our more than 2000 Topcon Positioning Group employees worldwide.”

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.

About Topcon Positioning Group
Topcon Positioning Group is headquartered in Livermore, California, USA (topconpositioning.com). Its European head office is in Capelle a/d IJssel, the Netherlands (topcon-positioning.eu). Topcon Positioning Group designs, manufactures and distributes precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, BIM, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. Its brands include Topcon, Sokkia, Tierra, Wachendorff Elektronik, Digi-Star and 2LS. Topcon Corporation (topcon.com), founded in 1932, is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (7732).

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