In the early 1980s, the company started with transplanters. "The owners understood the sector was changing," explains sales manager, Claudio Zarri.
The sector was changing because the times were changing - transplants used to be carried out by hand, due to the large availability of workforce, which was decreasing even then. Of course mechanised transplants were not new, but the monopoly had always been in the hands of the US. The arrival on the market of Italian machines was a little revolution in the sector.
From that moment on, Checchi & Magli started growing and became a leader in the sector, especially in the tomato transplanter sector. So much so that it now exports 84% of its production. "The vegetable transplanter sector is a niche sector because it's usually the last phase to become mechanised. These are therefore machines suitable for evolved markets looking for excellent performances. What is more, they must last a long time."
Checchi & Magli transplanter.
We must also consider that, while these machines only came from the US 36 years ago, now all leading companies are Italian, so competition is fierce. "This is also a positive thing, as machinery made in Italy has a good consideration because it is long-lasting and capable of great performances. Price is not the main factor influencing choice."
Nowadays, Checchi & Magli boasts 7 transplanter ranges (Foxdrive, Texdrive, Trium, Wolf, Dual, Top 24, Baby), as well as machines for potatoes, bed-makers and plastic-film placing machines. All of them can be customised according to client needs. "Basically we can make around 600 different variations. We are definitely the company with the widest range and, in this sector, a wide range is the only way to stand out because, if we exclude the industry tomato and tobacco sectors, the transplanter market is made up of many medium-small markets each with their own characteristics. It is a bit like with cars - all brands have a small number of models, then it depends on accessories, as all clients have different needs."
Checchi & Magli transplanted.
The company exports to over 60 countries in all 5 continents. The most important market is the North-American one (Canada and US), especially for industry tomatoes and tobacco. "We have always believed in this market, so much so that we opened an office in the US. Things are different than in Italy, as the trend is going towards less companies on the market but of a bigger size. Canada is important because transplants are carried out later."
Northern France mainly buys transplanters for Brassicaceae, while South Africa buys those for salad and cabbage. Australia wants those for mulching film salad and Japan those for decorative pumpkins and so on.
"We also sell machines to Eastern Europe, where Poland is the most important market. Other countries in the area are growing but are still unstable. We export to Russia as well, but the situation has not been very favourable over the past couple of years due to the devaluation of the Rouble and the frictions between Russia, EU and US."
Checchi & Magli transplanter.
"Now things are changing - costs are increasing even in those countries that used to have an unlmited workforce, so producers are looking to mechanise." He refers to South America - Chile, Argentina and Uruguay in particular. "We are doing quite well in these areas, because they are now starting to experience what happened in Europe and Italy decades ago, i.e. the growth of the middle class and abandonment of the countryside."
Between 9th and 13th November 2016, the company will attend EIMA International in Bologna, the international fair dedicated to agricultural machines in hall 31, stand B15.
Contacts:
Checchi & Magli
Headquarter
Via Guizzardi, 38
40054 Budrio (BO) - Italia
Tel.: (+39) 051 800 253
Fax: (+39) 051 6920 611
Email: info@checchiemagli.com
Web: www.checchiemagli.com
North American Office
N. Eagle Nest Ln, 4904
84043 Lehi (UT) - Stati Uniti
Te.: (+1) 801 7949 774
Fax: (+1) 801 7940 554
Email: CandM@allenintl.net
Web: www.allenintl.net