Trical, Inc.

What Trical, Inc. does

TriCal, Inc. is a privately held California-based agricultural services company founded in 1961 by Richard Storkan, Jerry Hanes, and Robert McCaslin to commercialize specialized soil fumigation methods. The company delivers custom soil fumigation services using TELONE and Chloropicrin-based fumigants (including the TriClor sub-brand for orchards and vineyards) to manage soil-borne nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and insects that compromise crop vigor and yield. Its core technology stack includes Totally Impermeable Film (TIF) with EVOH barrier layers, Virtually Impermeable Film (VIF), and broadcast film systems used to retain fumigant concentration and reduce emissions during pre-plant soil treatment.

The company operates as part of the TriCal Group, alongside wholly-owned subsidiaries TriCal Diagnostics (plant and soil pathology laboratory), Landmark Irrigation (acquired 2023, irrigation equipment and services for Central Valley agriculture), and Cardinal Professional Products (environmentally safe pest control products). The Storkan-Hanes-McCaslin Research Foundation, established in 1987, has awarded $680,500 to 97 graduate students researching soil-borne diseases, signaling sustained R&D commitment.

TriCal's go-to-market is enterprise field sales: licensed Pest Control Advisers provide written pest management recommendations, and trained custom applicators execute on-farm fumigation with field-specific surveys, treatment planning, and regulatory compliance support. The company sells across six primary verticals—tree nuts (almonds, pistachios), berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), vineyards, vegetables, tree fruit, and nursery/floriculture—predominantly in California where 90% of US strawberries and 99% of US pistachios are grown. Named enterprise customers include Driscoll's, Mellano & Co., Stuke Nursery Co., Fairhaven Orchards, and Lassen Canyon Nursery. The company cites over 90% return customer rate and over 65 years of continuous operations as primary indicators of customer loyalty and operational stability.

Name

Trical, Inc.

Legal name

TriCal, Inc.

Website

https://trical.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

TriCal, Inc. is a privately held California agricultural services company founded in 1961, providing commercial soil fumigation, plant diagnostics, and irrigation services to specialty crop growers in strawberries, tree nuts, vineyards, vegetables, and nursery production.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Soil Fumigation Services

NAICS

Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532)

SIC

Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Fumigants & Soil Sterilants (AFABAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fumigants & Soil Sterilants (IMAEAEAM)

Keywords

• Soil fumigation services
• Agricultural fumigation
• Soil pest management
• Crop disease prevention
• Specialty agricultural films

Headquarters

HQ city

Hollister

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Soil Fumigation Services: Custom soil fumigation application services delivered by trained applicators with field support and technicians. Service includes field-specific survey, treatment plan development, regulatory guidance, application, and follow-up.
2. Soil Fumigant Products: Sale of soil fumigant products including TELONE II and Chloropicrin-based products (TriClor) for orchard, vineyard, and crop applications.
3. Diagnostic Services: TriCal Diagnostics provides plant and soil testing for pathogens, diagnostic problem solving, and disease management solutions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TriCal, Inc. provides commercial soil fumigation services to California growers, delivering custom in-field application of fumigant products (including TELONE II and Chloropicrin-based TriClor) using specialized application methods, high-barrier plastic films (TIF, VIF, broadcast, and row mulch), and field-specific treatment plans. Offerings are rounded out by TriCal Diagnostics plant and soil pathogen testing and allied services through TriCal Group sister companies such as Landmark Irrigation and Cardinal Professional Products.

Product overview

TriCal, Inc. is an agricultural services company offering a comprehensive portfolio of soil health and crop protection solutions. The core offering is commercial soil fumigation services using specialized application methods to manage soil-borne pests, diseases, and nematodes. The company operates alongside sister companies within the TriCal Group: TriCal Diagnostics provides plant and soil diagnostic laboratory services; TriClor serves orchard and vineyard fumigation needs; Landmark Irrigation supplies irrigation equipment and services; and Cardinal Professional Products offers pest control products. Additional offerings include agricultural plastic films (row mulch, broadcast film, VIF, TIF) used in soil fumigation programs. The company also funds the Storkan-Hanes-McCaslin Research Foundation for graduate research on soil-borne diseases. Services target a wide range of crops including strawberries, melons, tree fruit, nuts, grapes, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, and flowers/nurseries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TriCal Diagnostics: Plant and soil diagnostic services offering pre-plant diagnosing of plant diseases through plant and soil testing
• TriClor

Products and services

• Soil Fumigation Services Custom on-farm soil fumigation services delivered by trained applicators and PCAs for commercial growers; includes field-specific surveys, treatment plan development, regulatory compliance support, custom application, and follow-up to manage soil-borne pests, diseases, and nematodes before planting.
• TriCal Diagnostics Plant pathology diagnostic laboratory providing pre-plant soil testing for pathogens and nematode assessment, accurate disease diagnostics, and practical disease-management solutions for growers.
• TriClor for Orchards & Vineyards Specialized Chloropicrin-based soil fumigation formulation and application services designed for orchard and vineyard crops, controlling soil-borne pathogens and pests during replant and new establishment.
• TELONE II Soil Fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene-based soil fumigant product distributed as part of TriCal's portfolio and applied via custom fumigation services for nematode control in orchards, vineyards, and field crops.
• Row Mulch Films Plastic mulch films installed over raised planting beds (18 to 92 inches wide) for weed management, soil moisture retention, and soil temperature regulation, available in multiple colors and barrier levels including Standard, Biodegradable, VIF, and TIF.
• Broadcast Film Wide plastic sheeting (typically 10 to 15 feet) used to cover entire fields during fumigation applications, maximizing fumigant concentration retention, reducing emissions, and improving the uniformity of soil pest and pathogen management.
• Totally Impermeable Film (TIF) High-barrier plastic film with an EVOH layer that significantly reduces fumigant gas permeability; required on all drip soil fumigated acres in California per state listing requirements for Fumigant Management Plans.
• Virtually Impermeable Film (VIF) Agricultural plastic film with a nylon barrier layer that reduces fumigant gas movement relative to standard films, improving soil retention and treatment consistency in soil fumigation programs.
• Landmark Irrigation Services Turnkey irrigation services including equipment, consultation, installation, and support for California Central Valley growers; operates as a TriCal Group sister company complementing TriCal's soil fumigation offering.
• Cardinal Professional Products Environmentally safe pest control products distributed under the TriCal Group umbrella to complement soil fumigation and irrigation services for agricultural customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% return customer rate indicates high satisfaction with fumigation results
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Healthy Plants FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026TriCal sponsors the Healthy Plants Foundation Annual Golf Tournament. The foundation focuses on advancing agricultural education, community engagement, and sustainability initiatives, supporting programs that foster understanding of modern agriculture.
• California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Cornerstone organization supporting PCAs in their professional growth and expertise. TriCal participates in CAPCA Annual Conference & Agri-Expo to network and stay informed about latest agricultural advancements.
• Almond AlliancecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2024TriCal is a proud member and sponsor of the Almond Alliance Convention. The organization serves as the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers and industry. TriCal participates in events and represents grower interests.
• Agknowledge ProgramminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2023Program organized by Grower-Shipper Association Foundation in Salinas, California. Brings together stakeholders to educate on critical issues and public policies affecting the agricultural industry including food safety, labor, and immigration.
• Landmark IrrigationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2023Landmark Irrigation has served California's Central Valley Ag industry since 1990 as a turnkey irrigation dealer. Partnership provides old school craftsmanship complemented by modern design and technology. All irrigation and soil health needs are served under one umbrella.
• Almond Board of CaliforniaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 January 2023Host of the Annual Almond Conference where TriCal Group companies exhibit. TriCal supports the almond industry beyond sponsorship and field trial research.
• TriCal DiagnosticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the TriCal Group family of companies. TriCal Diagnostics offers premier pre-plant diagnosing of plant diseases through plant and soil testing, providing valuable tools for preparation and planning to achieve high and healthy yields.
• Cardinal Professional ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the TriCal Group family providing peace of mind handling pest control with high quality and environmentally safe products. Complements soil fumigation and irrigation services.
• Western Plant HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParent organization of Healthy Plants Foundation. Works closely with government entities at local, state, and federal levels to support sound policies, promote compliance, and represent grower interests.
• Driscoll'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor strawberry breeder and producer. TriCal conducts coastal meetings including visits to Driscoll's Export Cooler and Aromas Breeding facility to understand cutting-edge agricultural practices.
• Western Plant Health AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRenee Pinel from Western Plant Health Association presented on emerging laws and regulations at TriCal's Sales and Education Meeting.
• California Farm BureauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChris Reardon from California Farm Bureau presented on state of California production statistics and practical farming solutions at TriCal's Sales and Education Meeting.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TriEst Ag Group: TriEst Ag Group is a closely comparable direct peer: a specialty agricultural services firm delivering soil fumigation, crop protection, and irrigation solutions to vegetable, fruit, and nursery growers across the U.S. Southeast and beyond, mirroring TriCal's vertically integrated service-plus-products model.
• Hendrix and Dail, Inc. Hendrix and Dail is a long-standing custom soil fumigation and crop protection services provider serving Pacific Northwest and West Coast specialty crop growers, directly competing with TriCal on TELONE and Chloropicrin application services for nursery, orchard, and row crop customers.
• AMVAC Chemical Corporation: AMVAC is a U.S. manufacturer of crop protection chemicals including soil fumigants (e.g., Vapam) and is a direct competitor in the agricultural chemical space TriCal serves, overlapping on chemistry and downstream distribution into the same specialty crop customer base.
• Industrial Fumigant Company: Industrial Fumigant Company provides soil and commodity fumigation services across the Midwest, offering direct comparability to TriCal in service model (custom applicator, regulatory expertise, agronomic recommendations) and customer type (commercial growers and agribusinesses).

Broad incumbents

• Corteva Agriscience: Corteva is the manufacturer of TELONE II, the primary active ingredient TriCal applies. As the upstream supplier and a broad incumbent in crop protection seeds and chemicals, Corteva is highly comparable from a product/chemistry standpoint and represents both a key supplier and an adjacent competitor if it expands into custom application.
• Gowan Company: Gowan is a privately held crop protection company offering a portfolio of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides into specialty crop markets. It is comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same California and U.S. specialty grower segments that TriCal services, with overlapping distribution through PCAs and ag retailers.
• Nufarm Americas: Nufarm is a global crop protection manufacturer with strong U.S. specialty crop exposure (fruits, nuts, vegetables). It is comparable as a broad incumbent offering alternative chemistries and adjuvants to the same pest-management problems TriCal addresses through fumigation.
• UPL Limited: UPL is a global manufacturer of crop protection chemicals, soil fumigants (e.g., metam sodium/potassium products), and seed treatments with significant U.S. presence. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing with TriCal on soil fumigation chemistry and adjacent crop protection categories.

Emerging players

• Marrone Bio Innovations: Marrone Bio (now part of Bioceres Crop Solutions) develops biopesticides and biological soil health products positioned as sustainable alternatives to conventional fumigants. It is comparable as an emerging player addressing the same soil-borne pest problem TriCal solves, via a different (biological) technology path.
• BioSafe Systems: BioSafe Systems manufactures biological and reduced-risk crop protection products, including soil treatments positioned as alternatives to traditional fumigants. It is comparable as an emerging player targeting the same soil-borne disease and nematode issues TriCal addresses, increasingly relevant as fumigant regulations tighten.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TriCalHealthyFields
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trical-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/trical_inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trical, Inc.