JCA Technologies success growing in autonomous ag field

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This article was published 02/10/2023 (900 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WHEN Winnipeg’s JCA Technologies was acquired last year by Agco Corp., the multi-brand, global agricultural equipment manufacturer, JCA’s leadership believed it would mean expanded operations in Winnipeg.

Since then JCA, a global leader in the development of autonomous software and control platforms for agricultural machines, has doubled in size to about 200 employees including doubling its engineering workforce from about 30 to 60.

Agco just made another significant acquisition in its ag-tech operations, with a US$2-billion purchase of 85 per cent of the ag-tech assets of Trimble, a Colorado technology company forming a joint venture into which JCA will now be assigned.

Darcy Cook, JCA’s former partner and now the general manager of the Winnipeg company owned by Agco, said this latest development will mean another round of accelerated growth in Winnipeg.

Although Trimble is a larger entity and has been a leader since the 1990s in GPS-based technologies, it is JCA’s technology that delivers fully autonomous solutions. While both companies had been working in the same space, their technologies don’t overlap allowing JCA to continue to develop the technologies it had been selling directly to manufacturers.

It is often the case that when large companies buy smaller ones to acquire specialized technology the smaller company might get subsumed into the larger one.

But in JCA’s case it has grown dramatically and will continue to do so with this latest development.

A couple of weeks ago JCA moved into larger space — the former Bold Commerce headquarters — and is now operating with more than twice the space it had before.

“It is a great space and we are going to need it to be able to continue to recruit engineers and computer science professionals,” said Cook.

His company’s work in the emerging field of autonomous ag equipment has put it at the forefront of a technology that many believe will become ever present in only a few years. Agco‘s Trimble acquisition was the largest ag-deal in history and the fact that Agco is including JCA in the new joint venture bodes well for JCA’s continuing to play an important role in the roll-out of this transformative technology.

Agco CEO Eric Hansotia underlined the importance of the move.

“This landmark transaction creates a joint venture that becomes the premier mixed-fleet precision agriculture business in the world and accelerates Agco’s strategic transformation,” he said. “This deal significantly enhances Agco’s technology stack with disruptive technologies that cover every aspect of the crop cycle, which ultimately helps us better serve farmers no matter what brand they use.”

The deal also ensures Winnipeg’s ag industry continues to play a key role in a crucial area of ag-tech innovation.

Ron Koslowsky, divisional vice-president of CME (Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters) Manitoba, said, “We’re excited to see JCA, longtime member and friend of CME, recognized for the leading role they’ve played in developing autonomous technologies. Back in 2019, CME awarded them with the Emerging Award and we’re proud that their growth and success continues to garner attention. Most people have no idea the technology being developed in our province. JCA is a perfect success story and reminder that real opportunities exist here on the Prairies — not only for industry and economy, but also for individuals looking to be leaders in the worlds of engineering, computer science, and more.”

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca