MACHINERY

Croplands expands network in Western Australia

CROPLANDS Equipment has acquired Western Australian-owned and operated sprayer manufacturer Sonic Boomsprays.

Staff writer
 Croplands has bought Sonic Boomsprays in Western Australia. Image courtesy Croplands.

Croplands has bought Sonic Boomsprays in Western Australia. Image courtesy Croplands.

The acquisition of Sonic follows the expansion of Croplands' Adelaide manufacturing site, announced earlier this year.

Sonic was established by Max and Lynette Hebbermann in 1995 with an aim to produce premium quality spraying equipment for the broadacre spraying industry. The company specialises in sprayers fitted with cable-suspended, hydraulic booms.

Croplands general manager, Sean Mulvaney, said Croplands and Sonic have built a strong relationship over the past four years, having collaborated on the development and commercialisation of the WEED-IT Sonic sprayer range.

"We see Sonic as a perfect fit for Croplands as the companies share many values including quality, integrity, resourcefulness and an ongoing industry commitment to produce spraying solutions that deliver efficiency and long-term sustainability for growers," Mulvaney said.

"Croplands also started as a family business and while we've grown a lot over 50 years, we are still guided by the same strong family values and a respect for the challenges faced by our customers.

"The acquisition of Sonic will increase Croplands' capacity to bring WEED-IT equipped sprayers to market and also accelerate market access for the wider Sonic product range through Croplands' extensive sales, distribution and service network."

The Hebbermanns will transition away from the business, however their children Shanon and Kandi will remain, as will all other Sonic staff.

Settlement will be completed later this month and the business will continue to operate out of the Sonic factory at Narembeen, WA.

"We are incredibly excited and confident in this acquisition and the positive impact it will have on the Croplands business as a whole," Mulvaney said.

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