August 2018 - 75th anniversary
SAMSON AGRO is celebrating its anniversary year
One of Denmark’s leading machinery suppliers, SAMSON AGRO A/S in Viborg, will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on 1 August.
In 1943, a small local smithy near Viborg was transformed into “Fabriken Samson” (The Samson Factory), which has since developed so significantly that, today, the company stands out as an international leader within environmental technologies for handling animal slurry and manure. This is the short version of the impressive journey undertaken by SAMSON AGRO over the last 75 years.
“We certainly have good reason to celebrate our 75th anniversary. With a number of events over the course of the year, we will highlight the milestones, together with our employees, our partners and, of course, our numerous customers in Denmark and abroad, who have been so trusting and loyal for over seven decades,” says Lars Henriksen, CEO of SAMSON AGRO.
Even in the years leading up to 1943, minor forging work was carried out at the workshop in Tange, but on 1 August 1943, the direction of the company was focused entirely on its core products: manure spreaders and, later, vacuum tankers. The inspiration for the company’s name came from the biblical Samson, known for his incredible strength.
During the anniversary year, the company history will be shared on our website and on social media. You will be able to learn all about SAMSON, its past, present and future, explains Lars Henriksen. “We must continue to develop and look forward – and at the same time, we must consolidate and fine-tune the strengths we have built over time.”
SAMSON AGRO has evolved from a local to an international company, and continues to make good progress. The recently concluded financial year 2017/2018 shows a strong two-digit growth rate and the highest turnover since before the financial crisis.
Today, SAMSON AGRO’s principal activity continues to be the manufacture and marketing of machines and implements for outdoor handling of animal slurry and manure. The core products have gradually developed over the last 75 years to match market and customer demand, and today they consist mainly of slurry tankers and manure spreaders as well as drip hose booms and incorporators for professional customers in the agricultural sector.
The growth at SAMSON AGRO has recently generated a need for even more floor space at the headquarters in Viborg. A topping-out ceremony was just held for two new facilities totalling 4,500 square meters, and another large construction is in the works.
Lars Henriksen emphasises that SAMSON AGRO will continue to invest in product development and to support its strategy of retaining its very strong position in the European market and generate growth in selected export markets with large livestock production. In 2018, export constituted about 65% of total turnover.
SAMSON AGRO - history - selected information
2018: SAMSON AGRO A/S celebrates its anniversary year.
2005: A brand new 18,500 m2 factory in Viborg opens. All expertise and production are based here.
2000: Samson changes its name to SAMSON AGRO, and the red product colour is replaced with the characteristic SAMSON green.
1999: Entrepreneur and estate owner Ove Glerup acquires share majority in Samson.
1960s: Development of vacuum tankers gathers momentum. The vacuum tankers are later developed for handling slurry.
1950s: The development of manure spreaders gathers momentum.
1943: “Fabriken Samson” (The Samson Factory) is founded on 1 August.
Photo: two new facilities at the headquarters in Viborg
Contact:
CEO for SAMSON AGRO A/S
Lars Henriksen
Tel. +45 2969 6688
E-mail: lhe@samson-agro.com