Scott Garvey reports on Seed Hawk expansion

        Scott Garvey, Grainews freelance writer and machinery expert, went to Langbank, Sask., this week for the grand opening of Seed Hawk's expanded plant. He files this report:

June 3^rd was a red-letter day for air drill manufacturer Seed Hawk. The company officially opened a $2.8 million expansion to its manufacturing facility. All of that was done with a little pomp and ceremony as the company played host to a crowd that included customers, dignitaries and media.

Among those speaking during the ceremony were Pat Beaujot (standing in the photo), company president, and Crister Stark (seated), managing director of Vaderstad, a Swedish implement manufacturer that has partnered with Seed Hawk to market the Saskatchewan-built air drills worldwide.

Saskatchewan ag minister, Bob Bjornerud, cut the ribbon to officially open the new facility, which adds 15,000 square feet to the assembly plant and 4,000 more for new offices.

Seed Hawk says the 2006 partnership with Vaderstad has resulted in a giant increase in sales, requiring the company to triple production to 300 units annually in order to keep pace with demand.

The company also has some new technology to unveil at the Farm Progress Show in Regina later this month. An air drill equipped with the new features will be on display at the show. We’ll have more on this new drill in the July issue of Grainews.