Netafim

Netafim is an Israeli pioneer of drip and micro-irrigation products for agriculture, greenhouse, landscape and mining applications. The company's offering includes drippers, dripperlines, sprinklers and micro-emitters. Netafim also manufactures and distributes crop management technologies, including monitoring and control systems, dosing systems, and crop management software. Netafim holds an over-30% share of the global drip irrigation market, and is recognized as the world-leading provider of drippers and dripperlines. The company recorded revenues of over $800 million in 2014.

Netafim is headed by President & CEO Ran Maidan, and jointly owned by Permira funds (61%), Kibbutz Hatzerim (33%) and Kibbutz Magal (6%).

History

• 1960-1965 - Water engineer and inventor Simcha Blass carries out tests on the world's first dripper device
• 1965 - Kibbutz Hatzerim signs agreement with Blass to establish Netafim
• 1966 - Introduces world’s first commercial dripper
• 1978 - Introduces world’s first pressure compensated (PC) dripper
• 1981 - Opens first subsidiary outside of Israel
• 1998 – Merges into single corporation
• 2007 - Introduces world’s first low-flow dripper
• 2011 - Permira funds acquires controlling interest^[1]
• 2013 - Named 2013 Stockholm Industry Water Award (SIWI) Laureate^[2]

Ownership

In 1973, Netafim brought in its first partner, Kibbutz Magal, based in the Sharon region, and then added a second partner, Kibbutz Yiftach, based in the Upper Galilee region, in 1978. Netafim Hatzerim, Magal and Yiftach merged to create Netafim (ACS) Ltd in 1998. In 2006, Markstone Capital Partners Group and Tene Investment Funds acquired a share of Netafim. In 2011, the European private equity fund Permira acquired a majority stake in Netafim. Today Netafim is jointly owned by Permira funds (61%), Kibbutz Hatzerim (33%), and Kibbutz Magal (6%).

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.

Global presence

In 1981, the company opened NII, its first international subsidiary, in the US. Today Netafim maintains 29 subsidiaries and 16 manufacturing plants worldwide, and employs over 4,000 workers.

Drip irrigation & sustainability

Netafim is involved in several global sustainability initiatives. The company is a member of the UN CEO Water Mandate and UN Global Compact (UNGC), and was named 2013 Stockholm Industry Water Award Laureate for its contribution to sustainable water management.

See also

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

References

External links

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