Netafim

For other uses, see Netafim (disambiguation).

Netafim

Type	Private
Industry	Irrigation Drip irrigation Greenhouses
Founded	1965
Headquarters	Israel
Employees	over 2,400
Website	www.netafim.com

Netafim is a company in the field of irrigation for agriculture and landscaping. The company focuses on crops in the area of drip irrigation, greenhouse turnkey projects, and biofuel energy crops. Founded in 1965, Netafim introduced a new concept of low-volume irrigation, launching the drip irrigation revolution.

History

Based on a concept developed by agronomist Simcha Blass, Netafim was established in 1965 at Kibbutz Hatzerim. ^[1]It has since become a global enterprise controlling over one third of the global micro-irrigation market.^{[citation needed]} Netafim has expanded its basket of products to other areas of agriculture, public landscaping and private gardens.

Products

Netafim offices at Hatzerim

Netafim produces drip irrigation systems and other water technologies intended to increase yields and improve crop production while preserving quality and quantity of water and soil fertility. The company products are designed to provide solutions in the areas of efficient irrigation, control and agronomy for a range of field crops, orchards and vineyards grown under varied topographic and climatic conditions throughout the world. At present Netafim is developing ecological solutions for producing fuel from alternative sources. Concurrently, Netafim is launching a low pressure irrigation system that offers a solution for areas where water pressure and/or electrical infrastructure do not permit using high pressure systems. This development will facilitate introduction of the drip irrigation systems into additional agricultural areas. Netafim products are manufactured under quality standards and its quality management complies with ISO 9001: 2000.

Global operations

Netafim operates in 112 countries through 32 subsidiaries with 13 factories throughout the world. The company has 2,400 employees. Netafim manufactures products in 11 plants with over 2,000 employees. Netafim is jointly owned by three kibbutzim (Hatzerim, Magal and Yiftah) and two private equity funds (Markstone Capital and Tenne). The president and CEO is Igal Aisenberg. Annual sales in 2010 totaled over $400 million and expanded rapidly into emerging markets like China,Vietnam and South Asia.

Netafim Greenhouse produces a variety of greenhouses, from net houses for hot climates to more advanced glass greenhouses in cold climates. Netafim's Agriculture Division conducts research, development and training in agriculture and agro-technology. It collaborates with research institutions in Israel and the world in conducting experiments on a broad range of crops.

In 2007, John Deere (the American agricultural machinery company) acquired Plastro Irrigation Systems, Netafim's biggest competitor, and thereby became the second largest player in the industry.^[2]

See also

• Science and technology in Israel
• Economy of Israel
• Agricultural research in Israel
• Agriculture in Israel

References

1. ^ History of drip irrigation
2. ^ John Deere negotiating to buy controlling interest in Plastro - Haaretz - Israel News

External links

• Netafim
• Netafim Greenhouse
• Interview with Israel Makov, Netafim’s Chairman of the Board, from TLVInsider, Issue 3, November 2009