Trimble has entered into an agreement to acquire Müller-Elektronik, a German company that specializes in implement control and precision farming solutions. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Known for developing, producing, and selling electronic control units (ECUs) and embedded software that provides vehicle and implement control for tractors, combines, field sprayers, drill machines, seeders, spreaders, and slurry tankers to improve input management such as seed, fertilizer, and pesticides, Müller was a key contributor in developing the ISOBUS communication protocol. Regardless of color, ISOBUS standardizes the control settings, reduces downtime, and minimizes installation and interface challenges, which ultimately simplifies data exchange and machine control.

New, exciting solutions

By combining their expertise, the pair will have the ability to develop new and exciting solutions for farmers worldwide who are struggling to integrate and use various hardware and software products across different brands. Farmers, advisers, and retailers will now have access to an ecosystem that can easily build prescriptions for their fields and transfer those prescriptions to an implement, which will enable a farmer to more easily adopt a precision ag solution.

“Our planned acquisition of Müller-Elektronik recognizes the growing importance of the implement in variable-rate application solutions as well as the importance of an integrated platform that is agnostic to equipment brand,” says Darryl Matthews, Trimble senior vice president. “Müller's ISOBUS solutions are already compatible with a significant range of equipment manufacturers. This capability, together with existing Trimble competencies, will enable us to expand our role in the growing market for variable-rate applications. We plan to continue to fully support existing Müller customers and partners."

“Trimble is a leading provider of precision agriculture hardware and farm management software. Bringing Trimble together with Müller’s leading ISOBUS solutions will create an industry-changing opportunity to deliver a system-wide integration that is uniquely available through the combination of the companies,” says Christian Müller, managing director for Müller-Elektronik. “Our systems, combined with farm management software, will enable OEMs to provide integrated plug-and-play solutions straight from the factory, while also helping the growing aftermarket channel looking to support its customers with mixed fleet operations with an ISOBUS solution.”

The acquisition will also include Müller-Elektronik’s other operations, WTK Elektronik, a German-based company; ME-France; ME Sudamerica, an Argentina-based company; and Mueller Electronics Inc., a North American-based company.

To learn more about Trimble Agriculture, visit trimble.com/agriculture. For more information on Müller-Elektronik, visit mueller-elektronik.de/en.