Hotraco Agri
Hotraco Agri B.V. is a Netherlands-based, 50-year-old manufacturer of barn automation systems (Fortica MAX, Thomas, Antares) and farm-management software (iHotraco, Prisma) for poultry, pig, and other livestock farmers globally. It sells exclusively through an authorized dealer network and has been part of Munters AB's Speria FoodTech unit since October 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersHegelsom, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hotraco Agri does
Hotraco Agri B.V., headquartered in Hegelsom, Netherlands, designs and manufactures complete automation systems for livestock barns, serving poultry (broiler, layer, breeder, free-range), pig (sow, piglet, finisher), and other livestock (calves) operations. The company, founded around 1974, builds proprietary control platforms — Fortica MAX and Antares for poultry, the Thomas Automation System for pigs — that integrate climate control, ventilation (including its differentiated SmartFlow central ventilation), feed and water dosing, animal weighing (DWS-8/DWS-9), egg counting (EggXact, Fortica CEC), lighting, and sensor-based health monitoring, all unified through the iHotraco Farm Manager and Prisma Farm Management software platforms and the Fortlink communication hub. Hotraco Agri sells exclusively through an authorized global dealer/integrator channel rather than direct, supporting partners with 24/7 service, remote diagnostics, and the Hotraco Academy training program; revenue is generated from hardware system sales, recurring software subscriptions, and service/training engagements. Following the October 2024 acquisition by Sweden-listed Munters AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: MTRS), Hotraco Agri now operates as part of Munters' FoodTech business unit under the Speria brand, positioning the company toward end-to-end supply-chain offerings that span barn automation into adjacent processing stages.
Hotraco Agri firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hotraco Agri
- Legal name
- Hotraco Agri B.V.
- Website
- https://hotraco-agri.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Hotraco Agri B.V. is a Netherlands-based, 50-year-old manufacturer of barn automation systems (Fortica MAX, Thomas, Antares) and farm-management software (iHotraco, Prisma) for poultry, pig, and other livestock farmers globally. It sells exclusively through an authorized dealer network and has been part of Munters AB's Speria FoodTech unit since October 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hotraco Agri industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Livestock Barn Automation Systems
- NAICS
- Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311)
- SIC
- Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Barn Environmental Control & Ventilation (Fans, Curtains, Cooling, Heating) (AFAAAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Livestock & Dairy Equipment (IMAHACAG), Livestock Precision Monitoring Software (Herd/Flock Analytics, Health Alerts) (AFAAAFAM), Livestock Performance Monitoring Services (Weighing Programs, BCS, Data Capture) (AFACAEAL)
Keywords
Where Hotraco Agri is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hegelsom
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hotraco Agri business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Barn Automation Hardware and Control Systems: Sale of complete automation systems including controllers (Fortica MAX, Antares, Thomas), sensors, weighing scales, climate control equipment, feed and water control systems, and integrated control panels. Hardware sold through dealer network globally.
- Farm Management Software Subscriptions: Software platforms including iHotraco Farm Manager, Prisma Farm Management, and Fortus Farm Management provide ongoing data insights, remote monitoring, and farm management capabilities, generating recurring software revenue.
- Service, Support, and Training: 24/7 personal service including remote diagnostics, installation support through dealer network, and training via Hotraco Academy for sales, installation, and service of systems.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Hotraco Agri product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hotraco Agri designs, manufactures and supplies complete barn automation systems for livestock farming, combining proprietary hardware controllers (Fortica MAX, Antares, Thomas) with integrated software platforms (iHotraco Farm Manager, Prisma Farm Management) for climate control, ventilation, feed and water management, animal weighing, egg counting, and farm management data. The company focuses on the regulation, control and monitoring of animal housing processes for poultry, pig and other livestock sectors, and distributes globally through a dealer network.
Product overview
Hotraco Agri offers a comprehensive portfolio of automation solutions for livestock farming, specializing in regulation, control, and monitoring of animal housing processes. The product ecosystem centers around two core control platforms: Fortica MAX and Antares for poultry operations, and the Thomas Automation System for pig farming. These platforms integrate with various modules including climate control and ventilation, feed and water management, animal weighing systems (DWS-8/DWS-9 pig weighers), egg counting (EggXact, Central Egg Collection), SmartFlow ventilation, and lighting control. Farm management is supported through iHotraco Farm Manager, iHotraco Farm Data, and Prisma Farm Management software, with connectivity enabled via Fortlink communication hub and mobile apps (Fortica App, Remote+ App). Additional innovations include MiteAlert for pest monitoring, EasyButton for climate phase control, and specialized components like MultiWinch actuators and SD-9 Silo Display.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fortica MAX: Premium poultry control system for efficient poultry farm management
- Antares
- Thomas
- iHotraco Farm Manager
- iHotraco Farm Data
- EggXact
- Fortlink
- Prisma Farm Management
- MiteAlert
- Fortica CEC
- SmartFlow
Products and services
- Fortica MAX Premium poultry control system for efficient poultry farm management, integrating climate control, ventilation, feed and water management, animal weighing, lighting, egg counting, and farm management through connected controllers.
- Antares Poultry Controller Compact poultry computer controller providing climate and process control for poultry house operations, designed as an entry-level offering.
- Thomas Automation System Complete pig farming automation system combining control computers, dry feed systems, and ventilation, linked to Prisma Farm Management software and the Thomas Remote+ mobile app for climate, feed, water, weighing, and growth monitoring.
- Fortica Swine Swine control system in the Fortica product family for pig farming operations, providing connected process and climate control.
- iHotraco Farm Manager Cloud-based farm management software platform that creates more overview, simplifies complex operations, and accelerates processes across poultry and livestock operations, connecting controllers and data.
- iHotraco Farm Data Farm data management environment for modern agriculture that enables collection, aggregation, and management of data across farm operations.
- Prisma Farm Management Management software for pig farmers providing comprehensive overview of farm operations, integrating with the Thomas system for growth, feed, and water data analysis.
- Fortica CEC (Central Egg Collection) Central egg collection system for poultry farms that automates and centrally manages egg collection with integrated control linked to the Fortica platform.
- EggXact Egg Counter Electronic egg counter for poultry houses that automatically registers the number of eggs, providing continuous insight into egg production and laying percentage.
- DWS-8 and DWS-9 Pig Weighing Scales Electronic pig weighers made of special light-transmitting plastic; DWS-8 for piglets and DWS-9 for finishers, providing continuous 24/7 animal weight monitoring and growth tracking through integration with the Thomas system.
- Fortlink Communication Hub Central touchscreen control unit with integrated communication interface that connects up to 50 Fortica controllers, providing a complete farm overview from one screen with alarm and deviation visualization.
- SmartFlow Central Ventilation Innovative central ventilation system that operates without measuring fans, using negative pressure sensors to measure airflow displacement across compartments with high accuracy at minimum ventilation levels.
- Thomas Feed Dry Feed Controller Dry feed controller for pig farming that enables multiphase feed control across multiple feed circuits with daily composition changes for precision feeding.
- MiteAlert Automated red mite population monitoring system developed with Wageningen University for early detection of mite infestations in poultry houses.
- Thomas Remote+ Mobile App Smartphone and tablet application for remote control and monitoring of the Thomas, Orion, Cygnus and Sirius pig farming systems from anywhere in the world.
- Fortica Mobile App Mobile application for controlling the Fortica poultry control system and all connected process systems via smartphone from anywhere in the world.
Quantifiable outcome
- Precise animal weighing with DWS-8 (piglets) and DWS-9 (finishers) scales for 24/7 growth monitoring
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hotraco Agri
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hotraco Agri technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature13 records
Hotraco Agri partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- JENNI Lüftungen AGminorSwiss dealer for Hotraco systems. Testimonial from Thomas Jenni: 'A partner who thinks along and offers solutions for the industry. Satisfied farmers are most important for both sides, and that is what we stand for every day.'
- Keijsers-MartensminorDealer/implementation partner for Hotraco systems. Testimonial from Willem Claessens: 'Simple to maintain, even for us. Set it up once and it works.'
- Munters ABcoreMunters AB (Sweden) and its FoodTech business unit acquired Hotraco Group (including Hotraco Agri) in October 2024 from Amsterdam-based family office Nedvest. Hotraco Agri is now part of Speria (under Munters), building toward end-to-end offerings that improve efficiency, predictability, and productivity across the supply chain.
- Wageningen UniversityminorHotraco Agri collaborated with Wageningen University to develop MiteAlert, an automated red mite population monitoring system for poultry houses. Hotraco Agri also participates in a study on LED lighting for pigs conducted at Wageningen University.
- Walbern Agri-SystemsminorCanadian dealer who installed Fortica Free Flow systems for poultry farmers in Canada.
- Poultry-Tech LtdminorHungarian dealer that installed modern advanced broiler houses with Hotraco systems.
- Draper Ventilation (Draper Layers)minorEnglish dealer that worked with Hotraco Agri on breeder house projects in southwest England.
- AgroconsultminorBulgarian dealer that established new sow barn with SmartFlow ventilation system in Bulgaria.
- CFM SystèmeminorCanadian dealer based in Québec, Canada that installed Hotraco systems in poultry barns.
- VentilecminorBelgian dealer that established new breeder barns in Belgium with Hotraco systems.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hotraco Agri competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Skov A/S: Danish provider of climate and production management for livestock buildings, especially pig and poultry houses. Competes head-to-head with Hotraco in climate control and farm management software.
- Fancom: Dutch-based competitor specializing in climate control, feeding, and farm management computers for poultry and pigs. Highly comparable product set (controllers, ventilation, weighing) and similar European mid-market positioning to Hotraco.
- Big Dutchman: Global leader in poultry and pig housing equipment and barn automation. Most direct competitor to Hotraco, offering overlapping climate control, feeding, and management systems at larger scale across more geographies.
- Jansen Poultry Equipment: Dutch supplier of poultry housing systems including feeding, drinking, climate, and egg handling. Smaller and more regionally focused than Hotraco but directly comparable in core poultry barn offerings.
- Vencomatic Group: Dutch poultry housing specialist offering aviary systems, nest systems, and integrated egg flow with climate/control electronics. Adjacent and partially overlapping product portfolio with Hotraco's poultry segment.
- VDL Agrotech: Dutch manufacturer of livestock housing systems and automation for poultry and pigs. Part of the larger VDL Group, providing scale advantages but with directly comparable product offerings to Hotraco.
Emerging players
- Roxell: Belgian manufacturer of feeding and drinking systems for poultry and pigs. More focused on feeding hardware than full barn automation, but overlaps with Hotraco's feed/water control modules.
- Nedap Livestock Management: Dutch livestock technology provider with strong individual animal identification and sow/pig management software. Overlaps with Hotraco on the data/software side of farm management, particularly in pigs.
Broad incumbents
- Munters: Swedish-listed parent company of Hotraco Agri and a global leader in air treatment and climate solutions. The strategic acquirer of Hotraco and overlapping provider of ventilation/climate technology to livestock and adjacent industries.
- CTB / Chore-Time: U.S.-based broad agricultural systems manufacturer with poultry feeding, climate, and egg handling products. Larger and more diversified than Hotraco, with overlapping poultry barn automation offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hotraco Agri social profiles
Digital presenceHotraco Agri financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hotraco Agri leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Hotraco Agri funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hotraco Agri M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hotraco Agri
What does Hotraco Agri do?
Hotraco Agri designs, manufactures and supplies complete barn automation systems for livestock farming, combining proprietary hardware controllers (Fortica MAX, Antares, Thomas) with integrated software platforms (iHotraco Farm Manager, Prisma Farm Management) for climate control, ventilation, feed and water management, animal weighing, egg counting, and farm management data. The company focuses on the regulation, control and monitoring of animal housing processes for poultry, pig and other livestock sectors, and distributes globally through a dealer network.
Is Hotraco Agri a public or private company?
Hotraco Agri is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hotraco Agri founded?
Hotraco Agri was founded in 1974. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Hotraco Agri based?
Hotraco Agri is headquartered in Hegelsom, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Hotraco Agri make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Barn Automation Hardware and Control Systems are the primary driver. The others are farm Management Software Subscriptions and service, Support, and Training.
Who are Hotraco Agri's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Skov A/S, Fancom, Big Dutchman, Jansen Poultry Equipment, Vencomatic Group and VDL Agrotech. Emerging players are Roxell and Nedap Livestock Management. Broad incumbents are Munters and CTB / Chore-Time.
Does Hotraco Agri have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hotraco Agri.
What industry is Hotraco Agri in?
Hotraco Agri's product category is Livestock Barn Automation Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAAIAJ, Barn Environmental Control & Ventilation (Fans, Curtains, Cooling, Heating), with a secondary code of IMAHACAG, Livestock & Dairy Equipment. Its NAICS code is 33311 and its SIC code is 3523.