Customer-focused approach
“Seed treatment has typically been part art, part science, with the quality of the end product entirely dependent on the skill of the operator,” says Peter Herold. “Bayer's goal is to increase the ‘science’ component of the seed treatment process – make it more precise, less susceptible to error, more consistent, and less reliant on the applicator. At the end of the day, this means consistently better seed quality, and thus better results for the farmer.” When it comes to innovation, emerging customer needs are primary drivers behind Bayer's equipment solutions. “From the beginning, we've worked closely with seed companies to identify what jobs they need to accomplish, where the gaps are, and ways we can help them do their jobs better. That perspective forms the basis for all our innovations,” says Mark Belden, Site Manager at Bayer's Shakopee, Minnesota (U.S.) equipment manufacturing plant and a veteran in this business.