The DLG (German Agricultural Society) will introduce a new innovation award at Agritechnica 2019 that will recognize for the first time innovation in the components and systems segment of the trade fair. The Systems & Components Trophy – Engineers’ Choice award acknowledges the fact that today’s farm machinery, including tractors, harvesters, and crop protection and fertilizer application equipment, is equipped with advanced systems supplied by companies dedicated to making machines work more effectively and operators’ lives easier.
Agricultural original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly relying on component and system suppliers when designing new machines or updating existing models. Electronics, engines, drivetrain technology, cabs and power lifts, hydraulics systems, as well wear parts along with spare and replacement parts available off-the-shelf or under just-in-time supply arrangements to OEM assembly plants.
Agritechnica project manager Marie Servais said she was pleased to announce that the supply industry for agricultural machinery manufacturers would receive its own award at this year’s trade fair.
“The new trophy is aimed at exhibitors taking part in the Systems & Components exhibition area at Agritechnica 2019, and should attract the attention of development engineers and purchasing professionals working for agricultural machinery manufacturers,” Servais added.
“This is therefore a complement to the existing Agritechnica Innovation awards, which will continue to be open to entries from companies developing solutions that can be directly purchased by the farmers.”
The Systems & Components Trophy – Engineers’ Choice award will honor components or systems with a novel or significantly improved concept that can make a substantial contribution to the development and production of farm and other off-highway machinery; the developments should make new processes possible, or enhance existing processes.
The criteria used to judge entries for the new trophy are:
- Practical significance;
- Benefits in profitability and processes;
- Benefits to the environment and energy use;
- Benefits for work load and safety.
The winners of the 2019 Systems & Components Trophy – Engineers’ Choice award, will be selected by a jury consisting of development engineers for farm machinery manufacturers exhibiting at Agritechnica 2019. Agricultural machinery exhibitors will be invited by the DLG to nominate their chief development engineers to take part in the judging process.
Component and system manufacturers exhibiting at Systems & Components can enter their innovations for the award until the closing date of July 1. All entries will be evaluated by the jury who will then produce a shortlist. The winners of the 2019 trophy, and the results will be announced at an awards ceremony taking place on November 10 in the Future Lounge located within the Systems & Components area of Agritechnica.
