Member Article

Sevcon targets agricultural sector, creating 10 jobs

Electric vehicle control manufacturer Sevcon has launched a new drive to capture a share of the multi-billion pound agricultural market as the sector looks to shift from hydraulic to low carbon systems.

Following months of detailed research with farm machinery makers and the Agricultural Industry Electronic Foundation (AEF) Gateshead-based Sevcon has now unveiled a new range of products for the tractor and machinery market.

Sevcon’s diversification in the agricultural sector was supported with a £300k grant from the Regional Growth Fund, and has so far created ten jobs with the potential for more as it penetrates further into the market.

Matt Boyle, Sevcon’s president and CEO, said: “The agricultural equipment and machinery industry presents us with high volume and high value potential opportunities. New tractor sales are predicted to be around 1.4 million units globally by 2015, with equipment sales set to be even greater.

“We believe motor controller sales into the agri-market could ramp up to many thousands a year by the end of the decade.”

Existing tractor trailers and accessories, known as implements, have historically been powered by a large hydraulic pump mounted on the tractor, multiple drive shafts and then chains and sprockets at the application to the crop.

But a transition is now taking place from hydraulic to electric motors and Sevcon has unveiled a new range of high-voltage, low-power inverters for the equipment market.

Gateshead-based Sevcon has been at the forefront of electric vehicle control technology since 1961 with its innovative components for a wide range of vehicles, from fork-lifts to cars and bikes.

Its motor control technology, which has been used by many top vehicle manufacturers, such as Renault, Nissan and Ford, is well suited to support the transition in the farming sector..

The Collaborative Projects Fund was set up in North East England last year to stimulate business growth and generate jobs in the Low Emission Transport sector, and is supported through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund programme.

Boyle added: “This is an exciting new market with great potential for Sevcon to utilise its world-leading product development skills.

“Agri-equipment sales have been in steady growth globally for the last decade and all predictions are that this will continue through the next 20 to 30 years as the world population grows and more food is needed to sustain the increase.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .