History
In 1946, Vincent Ballu, father of Patrick Ballu, current Chairman of the Board of Directors, invented, developed and built the prototype of the first “high-clearance tractor” for use in the vineyards of the famous Champagne producer Moët et Chandon. In 1947, this achievement won him first prize from the Association Viticole Champenoise and marked the beginning of automation for winegrowing in Champagne and subsequently all narrow vineyards.
1946
High-clearance tractor
Vincent Ballu invented the high-clearance tractor for narrow vineyards.
1952
TECNOMA
Creation of TECNOMA family business by Vincent Ballu
1966
Acquisition of VERMOREL
former French leader in agricultural spraying
1980
Death of founder, Vincent Ballu
Patrick Ballu, his son, succeeds him
1986
Acquisition of CARUELLE and NICOLAS
agricultural spraying specialists
1987
The Tecnoma family business becomes EXEL, a multi-brand group
Acquisition of BERTHOUD and its subsidiaries SEGUIP, THOMAS and PERRAS French leader in farm and garden sprayers
1990
Acquisition of PRÉCICULTURE
French leader in self-propelled agricultural sprayers and high-clearance tractors.
1996
Acquisition of KREMLIN
EXEL Industries diversifies into the industrial market with the acquisition of KREMLIN, an international paint spraying company.
1997
EXEL Industries lists on the Paris stock exchange
2000
Acquisition of FISCHER and REXSON
EXEL Industries becomes No. 3 worldwide in industrial spraying.
2001
Acquisition of SAMES and MATROT ÉQUIPEMENTS
SAMES is a leader in electrostatic industrial spraying while MATROT ÉQUIPEMENTS is No. 1 French producer of self-propelled sprayers and sugar beet harvesters
2003
Merger of KREMLIN and REXSON
2006
Acquisition of CMC
2007
Acquisition of Danish group HARDI & EVRARD
a global manufacturer of agricultural sprayers.
2011
Patrick Ballu passed the baton of Group CEO to Guerric Ballu
2012
Acquisition of AGRIFAC and HOZELOCK
AGRIFAC is a Dutch company specializing in agricultural spraying and sugar beet harvesters while HOZELOCK is a leading European manufacturer of gardening equipment
2012
Acquisition of HOLMER
longstanding sugar beet harvester market leader
2016
Acquisition of the ET Works group
a US company specializing in self-propelled agricultural sprayers.
2017
Merger of MATROT ÉQUIPEMENTS and HARDI EVRARD to form GROUPE HARDI FRANCE.
2019
Creation of Exxact Robotics
to develop automation and AI technologies for incorporation into the Group’s product ranges
2019
Yves Beleraud takes over from Guerric Ballu
2020
Acquisition of INTEC
A mechanical engineering company specializing in adhesive technology systems for the automotive industry
2021
Acquisition of Wauquiez, Tofinou and Rhéa Marine
2022
Acquisition of GF Garden
