HYDRO-AIR is an independent
manufacturer of highly innovative and advanced module technology for irrigation
systems. It is located in Eastern Germany at Flugplatzweg 1, 14913
Niedergörsdorf. The company was founded in 1991 and certified 1999 with DIN EN
ISO 9001. Since 1998 HYDRO-AIR works in the R&D sector especially for
developing complete telemetry solutions for irrigation systems with wireless
control. HYDRO-AIR should develop a business plan taking into account their most
promising products and services for the needs of the SuWaNu project.
HHYDRO-AIR has developed a number of highly efficient and cost effective
advanced irrigation technology for agricultural application. The HYDRO-AIR
systems ensures highly efficient water usage and distribution. Further, their
systems allow a tailor-made water and nutrient distribution and an online
performance validation concerning fertigation capacities. Currently, HYDRO-AIR focuses on improving the performance and reliability of the developed VRI (Variable
Rate Irrigation) system for the direct application of alternative water sources
promising cost-efficient and technically easy to handle wastewater treatment technology
to create robust and sustainable irrigation water and nutrient supply for the
agricultural sector.
The use of untreated and partially
treated wastewater for irrigation likely will increase substantially in future,
as higher-quality water supplies are shifted from agriculture to cities, while
the generation of wastewater increases with population growth. The already
existing and the upcoming changes regarding the waste water use in irrigation
sector pushed HYDRO-AIR to develop the VRI technology through which pre-treated
waste water is used for irrigation. Following the market trends, this product
is expected to expand in the market within the next years and the demand will
grow. Up to now, most of the current operating site-specific irrigation systems
are still prototypes. Since the technology is still relatively new, a majority
of the plants are still in the stage of development and not operating for
commercial cultivation. By promoting the new site-specific VRI system and the
use of the treated wastewater for irrigation, the company aims to help at first
place the farmers who face lack of water and nutrient that are viable for their
crops. Besides, farmers, that already use wastewater for irrigation and are
interested in increasing the treatment efficiency and effluent quality, are
also in the target of the company.
Since HYDRO-AIR is a
SME, its marketing strategy depends mainly on building and sustaining a good
relationship with the clients achieving thus the promotion of the products
through ‘Word of mouth marketing‘. In the framework of after sales communication, HYDRO-AIR will give its customers the necessary support
regarding the installation, maintainance or operatation of the VRI system. If the system is damaged, technical support
will be offered by the company.
Though the GIS / GPS fertigation
system is still in the early development phase it is possible to assume that
the realization will have a significant impact on the competitiveness of
HYDRO-AIR, as a completely new line of business is explored with great market
potential through the development of an efficient, highly precise,
site-specific irrigation system including the liquid fertilizer module. So far
HYDRO-AIR has proven its expertise and technical abilities by developing
irrigation and pump technologies as well as control and management systems for
agricultural purposes within more than 1,000 installed irrigation systems in
Germany. By improving this technique (effective, precise site-specific
irrigation with liquid fertilizer integrated module) HYDRO-AIR is able to
acquire a new, broad customer base.
A brief summary of the financial plan. Three year financial projections (sales,
exports, net profit before tax, investment and employment) should be
highlighted in a table.