AgJunction Precision Platform Selected for OEM Factory Integration

CLAAS E-Systems KGaA mbH & Co KG will begin factory installation of the S7 and S10 guidance control terminals with GPS Pilot during Q4 2014 at two European factories, integrating key hardware and software technology developed by AgJunction.

HIAWATHA, KS, Oct. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - (TSX: AJX) -- AgJunction, a leading provider of innovative hardware and software solutions for precision agriculture today announced that CLAAS E-Systems KGaA mbH & Co KG ("CLAAS"), one of its major OEM Solutions customers, will begin factory installation of the GPS Pilot with CLAAS S7 and CLAAS S10 guidance control terminals during fourth quarter 2014 at manufacturing locations in Harsewinkel, Germany and Le Mans, France.

Introduced at last year's AGRITECHNICA show in Hanover, Germany, the S7 and S10 terminals were phased into the CLAAS aftermarket GPS Pilot platform beginning in the spring of 2014 through their dealer network.

"This is the logical next step in our longstanding relationship with CLAAS," said Rick Heiniger, President and CEO of AgJunction. "Automatic steering has never been a more important component of precision agriculture than it is today, and our factory integration efforts with CLAAS highlight just how critical steering technologies have become to progressive OEMs."

The CLAAS S10 features a 10.4 inch high resolution touch screen and full integration with the CLAAS GPS Pilot auto steer system, a centimeter-level auto-steer solution developed by AgJunction. CLAAS S10 advanced features include reference line management, adaptive AB contour, and enhanced auto turn and headland management, and display capabilities for up to four vehicle-mounted cameras.

The GPS Pilot auto turn system enables operators to automatically execute a turn at the end of a row, increasing efficiency and reducing driver fatigue, with either a fixed turn configuration or a real time adjustable configuration for individual turns. After turning, the system provides efficient line acquisition ensuring accurate machine placement and row spacing from the beginning of each row.

The CLAAS S7 and S10 include AgJunction's dual-frequency GNSS receiver integrated into the terminal housing, configurable for RTK, OmniSTAR® and GLONASS applications as well as integration with CLAAS GPS Pilot.

The GPS Pilot and S7 will serve as the new standard control terminal for all CLAAS steering systems. The GPS Pilot and S10 provide an advanced option package that allows broader integration with ISOBUS implements as well as machine sensor networks.

Factory integration will be available for the CLAAS 2015 model year beginning in October 2014. Initially, the S7 and S10 configurations will be available on CLAAS LEXION combines, CLAAS Jaguar Forage Harvesters, CLAAS XERION tractors, CLAAS AXION and CLAAS ARION standard tractors.

In an effort to maximize operational efficiency and customer service, the Companies have also begun integration efforts for vehicle-specific configurations within the CLAAS factory order management system, allowing customer requirements to be entered directly from the dealership when placing orders.

"In contrast to the aftermarket approach, our factory integration initiative allows a seamless delivery of customer specific solutions without the need for any additional configuration at the dealership," added Heiniger.  

Installations will initially begin at two CLAAS manufacturing facilities in Europe with the future goal to integrate additional CLAAS locations outside Europe, including North America.

About CLAAS
CLAAS is a family business founded in 1913 and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of agricultural engineering equipment. The company, with corporate headquarters in Harsewinkel, Westphalia, is the European market leader in combine harvesters. CLAAS is the world leader in another large product group, self-propelled forage harvesters. CLAAS is also a top performer in world-wide agricultural engineering with its tractors, agricultural balers and green harvesting machinery. The CLAAS product portfolio also includes state-of-the-art farming information technology. Having completed the majority take-over of the Chinese agricultural machinery manufacturer Jinyee, in January 2014, CLAAS now employs around 11,000 workers worldwide and reported a turnover of €3.8 billion in the financial year of 2013. For more information, please go to www.claas.com.

About AgJunction
AgJunction, Inc. provides innovative hardware and software applications for precision agriculture worldwide. The Company holds numerous patents and markets its products and services under leading brand names including Outback Guidance®, Satloc®, and AgJunction® Cloud Services. AgJunction supports advanced farming practices and enables seamless data connectivity among growers and their agricultural service providers. The Company is headquartered in Hiawatha, Kansas, with facilities in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Manitoba and Queensland, Australia. AgJunction is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "AJX." For more information, please go to www.agjunction.com.

OmniStar is a registered trademark of Trimble Navigation, Ltd.

SOURCE Agjunction Inc.