Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment

Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment BV is an international organisation offering solutions geared to customer needs for soil and water research. Eijkelkamp Carefree Solutions provides innovative and socially responsible products and solutions. This we combine with the transfer of expertise gained through a century of experience and individual attention to our clients. This makes Eijkelkamp the reliable specialist partner for solutions in soil and water research.

From a village forge to an international organisation offering solutions geared to customer needs for soil and water research.

1911- Start of the company

The history of Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment first began in the year 1911 when Hendrik Eijkelkamp set up as an independent forger in Lathum. When his son Jan Eijkelkamp took over the business he could not have foreseen that today this same business would be counted among the foremost of global leaders in the area of testing equipment in soill and water research.

The first hand-operated soil drill for soil testing

In 1948 Jan Eijkelkamp manufactured the first hand-operated soil auger for soil testing. It was this auger that became the first real foundation stone for Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment BV, the company that has earned us our present day reputation. Already in those days Jan Eijkelkamp saw a future in the auger: “I felt that these soil augers were headed in the right direction. The augers were not only used for soil testing but also by farmers for setting creosoted poles in the ground.” Within the space of ten years these hand-operated soil-drilling tools had achieved national and international recognition. The first mail-out became a reality and Fons Eijkelkamp, then still a little boy, was kept busy sticking stamps on this first marketing initiative.

1970 was the year when Fons Eijkelkamp joined Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment. The existing range of products was soon added to and in 1980 the company relocated from Lathum and Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment took up its new residence at Giesbeek. A decision was made in the same year to add more trade products to the range. It became easier in this way for customers to obtain a total product package from Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment with the result that additional costs were significantly reduced. This led to an explosive growth of nearly 40% and in 1981 the business was officially taken over by Fons Eijkelkamp. In 1997 the Giesbeek premises underwent extensive alterations with the addition of a large logistics centre and de luxe premises for holding courses. The developments continued to take place in quick succession, however, in 2000 Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment was once again in need of more room and went on to buy an additional building.

In 2006 SonicSampDrill (a spin-off of Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment) was founded as an independent company with Fons Eijkelkamp as the managing director.

Quality and service are held to be of utmost importance at Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment. These days CNC controlled machines largely take care of the production but even today the augers are finished by hand. We strive to supply our customers not only with products of high quality, but also with excellent service. We have sales staff who know what they are selling and whose practical experience in the field makes them better able to provide instructions that work well in practice. Motivated and well-trained staff, a comprehensive quality control system (ISO 9001), modern production facilities supplemented by traditional hand finishing, all combine to guarantee this quality. It is also what allows Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment to meet the demands of its customers.In a wide range of countries around the world the interests of Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment are looked after by carefully selected, well-trained distributors.

The Netherlands could well be called Western Europe’s nursery as far as environmental technology is concerned. Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment plays an important role in the development and marketing of products which enable effective environmental soil and water testing to be carried out. The Dutch home market is an important market for further technological developments. 

The National Sales department consists of 9 people. It is a department where the customer can count on receiving honest advice from professionals in this field. The department divides roughly into three areas: the first is aimed at engineering firms and environmental consultants. Items most in demand in this sector include equipment for the testing of soil (ranging from hand-operated drills to drilling machine technology) as well as groundwater and other underground water testing. Another team is responsible for maintaining contact with government, educational and scientific bodies such as state institutes, district water boards, universities and institutes of higher learning. Leading products in this sector include the Diver, digital level gauges, meteostations and ground moisture and sediment sampling equipment. Finally the remaining team focuses entirely on the agrarian sector. This is where sampling equipment for liquid manure & liquid feed and testing equipment for farming and horticulture are marketed. Each sector has its own team but needless to say the knowledge that is found here is readily interchangeable.

The National Sales department at Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment strives as much as possible to supply the end user directly. When it concerns the acquisition of new customers, the account managers of Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment will do the initial calling. Customers can also head directly to the comprehensive showroom in Giesbeek for a complete overview. 

At our head office in Giesbeek, the Netherlands, our Export Sales department is ataffed by a total of 10 people.

In many countries the market is worked largely by a network of agents. Generally for every country there has been appointed one selected agent. Currently Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment has about 60 agents active throughout the world. The benefit to the customer is that these agents not only understand the local requirements of the customers in their own country but also the international possibilities of the products.

Eijkelkamp Training & Consultancy (ETC) was established to further improve the quality of data collection through training. ETC’s courses focused on how to handle equipment and how to collect the best data for further research. Essential questions such as: what is measured, why should it be measured, how is it measured correctly and why should it be measured in such a way, center on our courses. 

Over the years ETC’s spectrum has broadened from training and consultancy in the use of equipment, to training, consultancy and capacity building in a variety of subjects, all related to water and soil research. We have wide-ranging experience in practical application education (Hands-on Training). In addition to our own extensive knowledge of measuring and testing techniques, we cooperate with universities and research institutes, such as Wageningen University and Research, Van Hall Larenstein, CAH Dronten, IHE Unesco, Alterra and Nuffic. We are an active member of national and international ‘Fieldwork Soil Research’ standardization committees.

Mission

ETC aims to provide a platform for knowledge exchange between experts, specialists, field technicians, project designers, team leaders, fieldworkers, farmers and policy-makers involved in water and soil research.

Training

The various topics in which we offer training are clustered in half-day modules. These modules can easily be transformed into a course combining the modules which interest you. Our expertise expands well beyond the topics mentioned here in the modules. Feel free to enquire about the possibilities.

A typical training course comprises the following elements:

• Theoretical background
• Practical theory on ‘how to get started’; Preparation, logistics, standardization aspects, selecting equipment
• Practical work; Hands-on equipment training In general, the ideal combination between theory and practice is 50/50.

Consultancy

For more specific problems involving the installation or utilization of equipment, we offer the opportunity to consult our experts. We are highly experienced in soil and water research equipment, but also in broader topics such as environmental problems, irrigation design, soil degradation or monitoring design.

Capacity building

ETC has often contributed in capacity building projects and intents to continue this. ETC utilizes its platform in service of knowledge exchange in different educational constructions, with partners such as GOs, NGOs or educational institutes. ETC assists in the following themes:

• Soil quality research for agricultural development
• Pollution
• Erosion control or civil engineering
• Research on surface and groundwater parameters related to irrigation and drainage
• Sedimentation
• Flooding or drought problemsWithin these fields we train technicians and scientists in using measurement equipment, and contribute to general awareness.

Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment demands level upon Equipment is high. That assures you that our products present reliable data. To ensure quality is guaranteed, professional maintenance is essential. Our Service & Maintenance department stand surety for this.

Professional and regular maintenance prevents equipment for defects. When unexpected problems arise, our Service & Maintenance department is ready to solve them. An effective working method and quick settlement thereby, is the main focus of our Service & Maintenance employees.

Our Service & Maintenance department takes care of:

• yearly calibration and adjusting of equipment for measuring the resistance to penetration of the soil;
• maintenance to peristaltic pumps and multimeters (at least once a year);
• installation and maintenance (by expansion) of meteo stations and telemetry (on location);
• inspection of your electrical hand equipment;
• repairs to equipment;
• (temporary) replacement equipment (if necessary).

Send your equipment to:

Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment
Attn Service & Maintenance
Nijverheidsstraat 30
6987 EM Giesbeek
The Netherlands

Please send equipment in original package to prevent the equipment for damaging. Mention the reason for sending the equipment to our Service & Maintenance department and please write down your name and address information.

At the Innovation, Development, Design & Engineering department of Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment innovations and product adaptations are the order of the day. By developing new products and adapting existing instruments this department ensures the continuity of Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment.

Research and development of products is needed to be able to provide customers with the correct instruments and materials. Furthermore adaptations and improvements of existing equipment guarantee the best possible application in accordance with the standards. The Innovation, Development, Design & Engineering department makes it possible to offer a product range that is completely in tune with actual practice. Developments are designed to meet specific requirements and are brought about independently or in collaboration with our customers.

Eijkelkamp’s Innovation, Development, Design & Engineering department has a core staff of people with vast experience in the areas of mechanics, electronics, informatics and instrumentation. The department is equipped with modern resources, which include the engineering program 3D-CAD and CAD for blueprint design, programming tools and measuring and testing equipment, so that their challenges can be carried out properly.

The approach used by Innovation, Development, Design & Engineering is as follows: For each new development a new team is put together. These teams are not limited to just the people in this department. Each team always receives thorough input from all the other departments such as sales, engineering, production and management. The way the development teams are composed means that there is always active participation from the various departments. The development capabilities are also regularly boosted by the expertise of external partners.

The products of Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment are used throughout the world and continue to be recognised for their quality as well as meeting all the required standards. In addition they are able to be manufactured in a cost-effective way.

The Innovation, Development, Design & Engineering department likes nothing more than to translate your problem into a solution!