Services for farmers: Eggers Landmaschinen cooperates with Betriebsmittelhelden

German agriculture is in a state of upheaval. Innovative technologies, pressure from international markets and stricter legal requirements are challenging farmers and their service providers. Traditional processes and ingrained routines are being put to the test. One company that nevertheless manages to stay on the ball is Eggers Landmaschinen in Suhlendorf in northern Germany. In an interview, Managing Director Philip Eggers tells us why strategic partnerships with startups play an important role for him and his 160 employees.

Mr. Eggers, would you start by telling our readers what exactly your services for farmers consist of?

Very much so! As a specialist agricultural technology company, our focus is firstly on the sale of agricultural technology and secondly on services for our customers. This means that with spare parts, our workshops and our mobile service, we ensure that no defective machine is left standing in the field. We feel a special bond with the farmers in our region, but we also support municipalities, companies and private customers, for example.

You took over the business in 2020 in the third generation and have since been working increasingly with startups. How did that come about?

After my studies, I initially worked for the agricultural machinery manufacturer Claas. As part of the development of a new customer portal for the company, I worked with a project team in a Berlin co-working space for four months. During this time, I was able to get to know many startups and follow new developments in the industry. Since then, it was clear to me: If we want to keep our finger on the pulse, we have to cooperate with startups.

In the meantime, you have made contact with various startups and entered into your first strategic partnerships. What is your focus?

First and foremost, we keep an eye out for new products and services that are interesting for our customers. In some cases, we meet startups that are still at a very early stage and develop the ideas further together with them. In doing so, we can offer the startups not only technical know-how from our workshops, but also direct contact with our customers. This gives the founders the opportunity, for example, to try out innovative solutions directly in practice and get feedback.

Can you tell us more about a cooperation?

Yes, with pleasure! For example, we cooperate with Betriebsmittelhelden. Today, many farmers still order their fertilizers in the traditional way by phone or fax. That’s surprising, especially since automation and digitization are already well advanced in other areas of agriculture. Betriebsmittelhelden wants to make such processes more efficient with the help of a platform. Farmers are to order their fertilizers cheaply and quickly via app. The simple price comparison and intuitive operation save farmers time and money.

How is your cooperation with Betriebsmittelhelden structured?

I am involved in Betriebsmittelhelden as an investor. In addition, we support the team in an advisory capacity and can help with experience and customer contacts.

What happens when startup culture and traditional agriculture meet?

Founders and farmers have one thing in common: they think and act very pragmatically. In this respect, there was no “clash of cultures.” One of the founders of Betriebsmittelhelden is also a farmer himself. That is definitely an advantage. At the same time, farmers, like all of us, are “creatures of habit” who sometimes find it difficult to throw routines overboard. If you want to convince, you should have a direct line – and the opportunity to show innovations live.

Through your startup collaborations, you are certainly up to date: In your view, which developments will play an increasing role for farmers in the coming years?

A lot is changing in the food sector right now. The main issue is to move away from chemical crop protection and to work more ecologically. In the future, there will be more robots weeding. Processes on farms will be automated and digitalized. But satellite technology, AI and price forecasts are also topics that will continue to gain in importance.

Contact

Website: landmaschineneggers.de

LinkedIn: Philip Eggers

Cooperation with Betriebsmittelhelden