Machinefabriek Steketee B.V., a Dutch company, will now be fully integrated by November 2023; Steketee will change to Lemken, and machines will be delivered in Lemken blue rather than Steketee red.

“This strategic decision marks a milestone in the development of both companies and offers promising opportunities for future growth and innovation,” according to a recent press release.

Five years ago, the agricultural machinery specialist Lemken acquired Machinefabriek Steketee B.V., expanding its crop care product portfolio with implements for mechanical weed control and future-oriented camera-assisted machine guidance.

In 2018, the common goal was to expand the site in Stad aan’t Haringvliet in the Netherlands and to increase production capacity. This was done by building on Steketee’s existing skilled and experienced local workforce of 50 employees. Since the acquisition of Steketee, Lemken has worked hard to maximize the synergies between the two organizations.

Integration of teams, processes, and technologies has been successful and has resulted in increased innovation and a broader range of services offered. This is particularly evident in Sales, Agrotraining (training), and After Sales.

Next Step, Next Speed

The full integration of Steketee into the Lemken family is an important step that strengthens the company’s position in the industry and lays the foundation for future growth. In 2024, the focus will be on developing new markets in Europe and overseas.

“We are proud to combine our resources to serve farmers’ needs even better. Steketee’s customers will benefit greatly from this integration, as they will have access to an expanded range of solutions based on the extensive expertise and experience of both companies,” Yves Desjardins, Head of Sales/CSO, explained.

Another forward-looking step is the expansion of production capacity. Production in Dinteloord, some 30 kilometers from the current site, will start in November to meet growing demand as sales have tripled in recent years. The current team of 60 employees is expected to double its size in the coming years, and Dinteloord will become the Lemken CropCare Competence Centre.

As part of this process, the product portfolio of machines for mechanical weed control and chemical crop protection will be continuously adapted and expanded. IC-Light+ camera control, SprayHub, SprayKit for band spraying in chemical crop protection, and the Lemken Thulit harrow for mechanical weed control are two innovations that Steketee and Lemken have already presented in 2023.

But this is not the end of the strategic planning. Lemken wants to support farmers and contractors as their “Partner for Next Level Farming” and as a recognized player in modern and innovative crop care in arable farming, horticulture, and special crops.