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.

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1952

TECNOMA

Creation of TECNOMA family business by Vincent Ballu

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1966

Acquisition of VERMOREL

former French leader in agricultural spraying

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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.

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1996

Acquisition of KREMLIN

EXEL Industries diversifies into the industrial market with the acquisition of KREMLIN, an international paint spraying company.

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1997

EXEL Industries lists on the Paris stock exchange

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2000

Acquisition of FISCHER and REXSON

EXEL Industries becomes No. 3 worldwide in industrial spraying.

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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

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2007

Acquisition of Danish group HARDI & EVRARD

a global manufacturer of agricultural sprayers.

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2011

Patrick Ballu passed the baton of Group CEO to Guerric Ballu

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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

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2012

Acquisition of HOLMER

longstanding sugar beet harvester market leader

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2016

Acquisition of the ET Works group

a US company specializing in self-propelled agricultural sprayers.

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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

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2019

Yves Beleraud takes over from Guerric Ballu

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2020

Acquisition of INTEC

A mechanical engineering company specializing in adhesive technology systems for the automotive industry

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2021

Acquisition of Wauquiez, Tofinou and Rhéa Marine

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2022

Acquisition of GF Garden

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