Sep 12, 2024Robotics to help Reinke improve irrigation efficiencies
Reinke Manufacturing, a global irrigation systems and technology company, is investing $12 million in the modernization and automation of its irrigation systems manufacturing facilities.
The investment includes implementing advanced robotic technologies and expansion projects to increase production capacity and efficiency at Reinke’s Deshler, Nebraska, facility. The move demonstrates Reinke’s commitment to advanced technology and innovation and excellence, according to a news release.
“This is a monumental day for Reinke,” Chris Roth, Reinke’s president, said in the release. “The introduction of advanced robotic technologies will allow our company to increase production capacity and provide consistent quality to the products we deliver to growers worldwide. These advancements will help us continue our goal of providing the world’s finest precision irrigation systems to growers working to improve yields and profit while managing and conserving valuable resources.”
The robotic advancements are designed to streamline the production process, reducing production time for many of the parts used in Reinke’s precision center pivot irrigation systems. Its new robotic work cell features advanced automation capabilities, including vision systems to orient raw material parts based on their unique physical makeup as well as inspection capabilities of finished products. The technology is part of Reinke’s commitment of improvement.
The expansion projects will significantly increase the production footprint in Deshler with the addition of more facilities, further enhancing Reinke’s capacity to meet the growing demand for its precision irrigation systems. Training sessions on the new processes are already scheduled for its production team. The project is estimated to be completed by the 2025 growing season.
“Reinke is a great family-owned success story for Nebraska,” Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen said in a statement. “It is what it is today because of its investment in advanced technology and expansion projects and the skilled workforce in Nebraska. We look forward to Reinke’s continued growth and development in the region.”
With dealers in more than 40 countries, the Deschler, Nebraska-based Reinke is a global manufacturer of center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. Family-owned since 1954, Reinke develops products and technology designed to increase agriculture production while providing labor savings and environmental efficiencies.