This marks Oxbo鈥檚 16th AE50 Award, highlighting its long-standing commitment to engineering excellence and innovation. AutoFill reduces on-harvester labor needs by up to 75% while improving efficiency and accuracy. During the 2025 blueberry harvest in Washington and Oregon, the system successfully handled millions of pounds of fruit.

鈥淎utoFill marks an important first step for Oxbo in automation for berry harvesting. It showcases our ability to innovate and deliver practical solutions that advance efficiency,” said Stephen Schell, Senior Engineering Manager Oxbo Fruit. “Winning the AE50 ward affirms Oxbo鈥檚 leadership and our commitment to shaping the future of harvesting for growers.鈥� 

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Oxbo announced聽the appointment of Mike Flatt聽as the new President of Oxbo鈥檚 Forage division.

Flatt brings a strong track record in executive leadership, operations management, and strategic development. Over the past six years, he served as President and CEO of Hardi North America, a leading manufacturer of agricultural sprayers and equipment and a subsidiary of the French industrial group Exel Industries. In this role, Flatt led a team that managed over 100 distribution channel partners across the U.S. and Canadian markets. In parallel, Mike also held responsibility for Sales and Marketing at 婷婷激情五月天 Technologies, another subsidiary of Exel Industries.

He succeeds Craig Harthoorn, who retired from his position on June 2, after joining the company in 2017 as President of H&S.

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The announcement noted the company鈥檚 decision to close the manufacturing plant and consolidate the activity into a new plant 鈥� currently under construction in Bergen, NY. 鈥� 鈥渃omes as a result of the downturn in the agricultural market, rising operational costs, and the aging infastructure to the plant.”

Oxbo is committed to supporting affected employees during the transition through severance packages and other resources. The Clear Lake facility will cease manufacturing operations when booked orders are complete, which is estimated to happen in June 2025.

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Fresno State鈥檚 1,000 acre farm contains 97 acres of pistachio orchards, 25 of which are currently bearing and harvestable. The university鈥檚 pistachio orchards are located on the corner of North Cedar Avenue and East Sierra Avenue in Fresno, just north of the Fresno State campus.   

Oxbo鈥檚 employees will operate the Oxbo pistachio shaker, receiver, and bin carrier while providing hands-on instruction to Fresno State students during the pistachio harvest. Students will assist in managing the harvest process and can operate the equipment with supervision and instruction by the Oxbo team.

鈥淥xbo has invested in supporting agricultural education programs in California for over a decade and we are proud to continue this support through a partnership with Fresno State鈥�, added Cory Venable, Director of Sales and Marketing for Oxbo. 鈥淲e view our partnership as a way of investing in the future of agriculture.”

In its fruit portfolio, Oxbo supplies grape, berry, coffee, olive, pistachio, and tomato growers with harvesters and other specialty equipment. With six locations in the heart of California agriculture, Oxbo is dedicated to delivering customer-focused solutions and superior service experience.  

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Oxbo is expanding its presence and product portfolio in the hay and forage industry, through acquiring H&S Manufacturing in Marshfield and Clintonville, WI. The acquisition is designed to foster high-quality, customer-focused product innovation, to ensure customer service, and to strengthen the Oxbo and H&S position in the global hay and forage market.

鈥淗&S products complement Oxbo鈥檚 industry-leading hay and forage merger product line; adding H&S to Oxbo鈥檚 hay and forage business allows us to better serve our mutual customers now, and in the future,鈥� stated Roel Zeevat, CEO of Oxbo. 鈥淭he H&S high quality products, dealer network, manufacturing facilities, and dedicated management and employees supplement our existing hay and forage business and will help us grow in this critical market segment.鈥�

鈥淲e knew an acquisition by Oxbo would deliver enhanced value for our customers. Oxbo鈥檚 commitment to reliability, innovation, and customer service are a perfect fit for H&S products and customers,鈥� commented Chris Heikenen, former owner of H&S Manufacturing.

Over the last 30 years, Oxbo has continued to grow through acquiring manufacturers in specialty agricultural markets. With each acquisition comes Oxbo鈥檚 commitment to drive customer value through innovative products and industry-leading customer service.

鈥淭he acquisition by Oxbo is an exciting next step for the H&S brand; I鈥檓 confident Oxbo鈥檚 customer-focused mindset will benefit our customers as we grow the business together,鈥� said Craig Harthoorn, president of H&S, who will remain onboard and manage the newly expanded hay and forage business unit for Oxbo.

With the addition of H&S, Oxbo continues to optimize farming together with staff and customers as the company aims to be the clear customer choice in the hay and forage market.

H&S will continue operating at its existing facilities.

Customers will continue to purchase products and parts from their existing H&S or Oxbo dealer. Going forward, and in partnership with its valued dealer network, Oxbo will further optimize the offering for its customers in all regions served. 鈥淲e are committed to serving our valued customers,鈥� said Zeevat.

Oxbo operates seven additional manufacturing facilities around the globe including its global headquarters in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, and operates 13 sales and service locations.

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