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Adare, Co. Limerick, IrelandTel: +353 61 396176

Email: info@samco.ie Web: www.samco.ie Matthew Shine: 00353 87 98 66 594

Outline

• Who are SAMCO?

• History

• Challenges we encountered

• Innovative R&D

• Export markets

• Machines we produce

• SAMCO’s Challenges and Opportunities

• Questions and Answers

Who are SAMCO?

• We are a family run business from Adare, Co. Limerick.

• We set up the business in 1996 with a patent on the machine.

• We manufacture a 3 in 1 machine which sows maize seed, sprays a pre-emergence herbicide and lays a thin layer of degradable film over the soil which acts as a mini green house encouraging early root and plant development.

• We design and manufacture the degradable film for the SAMCO System.

• 15% of our sales come from the SAMCO machine while 85% is the degradable film.

• Today, 80% of all maize grown in Ireland, is grown using the SAMCO System

History

• Samuel Shine took over the family Dairy Farm in 1978.

• 1979 he set up an Agricultural Contracting business, cutting Grass Silage for Farmers in the region.

History

• Due to problems preserving Grass silage, Sam’s Contracting business became involved in sowing and Harvesting Maize silage from 1991.

• 1991 – 1993 the Irish climate was favourable for growing maize in Ireland.

History

• Dr George Keane at UCD carried out Trails using film cover laid by hand on Maize plots in 1996.

• In 1997 Sam designed and Patented the Total Cover film laying Machine, fitted to a standard Maize drill and the Samco Company was formed.

History: Challenges we encountered

• Over the following six year period, Samco machines were sent to various countries and regions to test the system.

• With little agronomic experience the System failed in certain areas to achieve consistent results.

• It was realised at this stage a high degree of R&D was required to make the system a success.

• After the R&D programme which had corrected any failures with the system, a 5 year sales plan was then implemented.

History: Challenges we encountered

• Poor film degradation

• Poor weed control under the film

• Unsuitable maize varieties for the SAMCO system

Innovative R&D

• In 2000 we starting working very close to a seed company (DuPont Pioneer) where we conducted extensive trials together to find maize varieties that had the genetic potential that would suit the SAMCO System.

• Today we work with numerous global companies, in relation to seed production, herbicide mixtures and new film resins.

Innovative R&D

• In 2002 Samco in conjunction with AthloneNanotechnology Research Centre conducted a number of tests on different Polymer combinations.

• In 2004 we set up a film manufacturing company in China where today we produce the majority of our film.

Export markets

• Export sales account for 80% of turn over.

• We work with Enterprise Ireland who help with R&D projects, market research and staff training courses.

• Enterprise Ireland are activity working with Irish companies like SAMCO, on trade missions and over seas markets.

Export markets

• Key is to know where to find potential customers.

• We researched the land usage in each country.

• Investigated the marketplace by visiting the area.

• We attended trade shows / exhibitions / conferences.

Research & Development

• Research & Development is a major part of our business. We are continuously and consistently designing new products, new solutions, which we sell to the Agri Sector.

• We have a dedicated in-house R&D team who sole purpose is researching and developing new and existing products and systems.

• We provide a technical product, the knowledge and a high level of back up service. We strive to improve our products year and year.

Research & Development

• SAMCO produces a wide range of degradable films to suit many climatic conditions around the world.

Research & Development

• Each product design is patented.

• Each design has a purpose.

30 MD SLOTS

TD 10 Mic SLOTS20 PIN HOLE

GRIP HOLEWeather Stations

BagPress with Crimper

Today we produce the following machines:

Field - Lift Ground - Breaker

SAMCO 3 in 1 drills

BagPress

UCD, SAMCO and Enterprise Ireland project

• Dr Bridget Lynch from UCD is conducting a 2 year project on the SAMCO system. Her main research is focused on the feed value of quality forage maize, herbicide mixtures, film types and maize varieties.

• Dr Bridget Lynch has 1 years trials already completed.

• This report will play a major part in the Agri sector when the research is published in 2015.

SAMCO, UCD & Keenan System meetings

• SAMCO & Keenan System in conjunction with UCD held information meetings nationwide.

• The attendees were farmers, agricultural contractors and trades people.

• SAMCO explained how to grow maize successfully, Keenan's talked about how to feed maize and the role of maize in the diet, while Dr Bridget Lynch talked through the 1st year results.

SAMCO’s Challenges

• As the demand for our products and services increases we need to have structures in place to supply the demand.

• Keep ahead of any potential competitor that try's to enter the market, due to our system being so widely used in many parts of the world.

SAMCO’s Opportunities

• As the world population is increasing, we need more food.

• The demand for quality food products with traceability and more importantly, sustainably will increase.

• We need to utilise technology and land base more efficiently.

• The potential to use the SAMCO System to grow other crops under film. For example: Potatoes, Beans, Soya.

Comments on the report

• Patents: We have patents on our products, but the patent procedure may take to long for some products.

• Construction permits: SAMCO is currently under taking a project to build a new manufacturing facility.

• Universities need to work more with industry market leaders.

Any questions?

twitter.com/samcosystem

youtube.com/samcoagri

Adare, Co. Limerick, IrelandTel: +353 61 396176

Email: info@samco.ie Web: www.samco.ie Matthew Shine: 00353 87 98 66 594