NORACSystems
NORAC Systems, a Topcon Agriculture subsidiary founded in 1974 in Saskatoon, designs ultrasonic boom height control systems for agricultural sprayers, serving commercial farmers and OEMs through Topcon's global dealer network and the Topcon Agriculture Platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersSaskatoon, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What NORACSystems does
NORAC Systems Inc. is a Canadian agricultural technology company founded in 1974 and headquartered in Saskatoon, now operating as a subsidiary of Topcon Agriculture following its acquisition. The company designs and supplies ultrasonic boom height control systems for agricultural sprayers, built around proprietary components including the MS-1 ultrasonic sensor with MAX Sense technology, the HCM-1 controller, the DCS-1 Dynamic Chassis Sensor, proportional hydraulic valves, and ISOBUS-UT compatible consoles. Its product line spans four control tiers—Standard Control, Passive Roll, Active Roll, and Active Wing Roll—paired with Hybrid Mode software that simultaneously tracks soil surfaces and crop canopies.
NORAC generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of these boom height control systems, distributed via Topcon Agriculture's global dealer network and independent agricultural equipment dealers across the US, Canada, Brazil, Europe, and other regions. Its primary customers are commercial farmers requiring precision spraying in challenging terrain and agricultural equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seeking integrated boom control for new sprayer models. The technology is compatible with nearly all sprayer models on the market and integrates into Topcon's broader Topcon Agriculture Platform (TAP) software ecosystem.
The company holds registered trademarks on its core technology brands (Hybrid Mode, MAX Sense, control tiers) and operates under ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification through Topcon Agriculture. Headcount is small (11-50 employees), consistent with a focused specialty engineering unit within a larger strategic parent rather than an independent commercial-scale enterprise.
NORACSystems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NORACSystems
- Legal name
- NORAC Systems Inc.
- Website
- https://norac.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- NORAC Systems, a Topcon Agriculture subsidiary founded in 1974 in Saskatoon, designs ultrasonic boom height control systems for agricultural sprayers, serving commercial farmers and OEMs through Topcon's global dealer network and the Topcon Agriculture Platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NORACSystems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Sprayer Boom Height Control
- NAICS
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spray Control, Rate Controllers & Nozzle Systems (Pumps, Valves, Atomizers) (AFAAADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Variable Rate Technology & Precision Application (VRT Controllers, Section Control, Smart Sprayers/Spreaders) (AFAGALAD), Crop Protection & Application Equipment (Sprayers/Spreaders) (IMAHACAC)
Keywords
Where NORACSystems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saskatoon
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
NORACSystems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Boom Height Control Systems: Sale of hardware and software systems for agricultural sprayer boom height control, including ultrasonic sensors, controllers, hydraulic valves, and console systems.
- Precision Agriculture Technology: Integrated positioning and control technology solutions for agricultural equipment manufacturers and farmers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Standard Control - Basic boom height control for smaller booms |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Passive Roll - Advanced control for most sprayer models |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Active Roll / Active Wing Roll - Premier solutions for all boom sizes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
NORACSystems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NORACSystems designs and manufactures automatic boom height control systems for agricultural sprayers. Its core offering combines ultrasonic sensors (MS-1 with MAX Sense), controllers (HCM-1), proportional hydraulic valves, chassis sensors (DCS-1), and ISOBUS-compatible consoles to maintain consistent pre-set boom height above crops or soil. The technology is sold across four capability tiers — Standard Control, Passive Roll, Active Roll, and Active Wing Roll — and is distributed globally through Topcon Agriculture's dealer network.
Product overview
NORACSystems (Topcon Agriculture) offers a comprehensive boom height control product line for agricultural sprayers. The core system consists of multiple integrated components including ultrasonic sensors (MS-1 with MAX Sense technology), controllers (HCM-1), consoles (ISOBUS-UT compatible), chassis sensors (DCS-1), and proportional hydraulic valves. The product line spans four control levels: Standard Control (for smaller booms up to 30m), Passive Roll (most popular for general use), Active Roll (premier solution for all boom sizes), and Active Wing Roll (premier with wing-specific control). Innovative features include Hybrid Mode software that merges soil and crop monitoring for challenging field conditions. The portfolio integrates with the broader Topcon Agriculture Platform (TAP) for digital farm management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Boom Height Control System Automatic boom height control system for agricultural sprayers that maintains consistent, pre-set height above crops or soil using ultrasonic sensors, controllers, and hydraulic valves to ensure even application and reduced spray drift.
- HCM-1 Controller Proven implement controller for boom height control providing reliable performance and clear calibration.
- MS-1 Ultrasonic Sensor with MAX Sense Ultrasonic sensor featuring enhanced MAX Sense technology for precise and proven sensing in tough terrain, built from corrosion-resistant GF nylon with protective transducer screen and multi-axis vents.
- ISOBUS-UT Console Compatible console supporting ID1 Family, X Family or ISO-UT Compatible Console for boom height control operation.
- DCS-1 Dynamic Chassis Sensor Dynamic Chassis Sensor that boosts boom control system stability and responsiveness, enhancing performance by over 30% in challenging conditions.
- Proportional Hydraulic Valves Proportional valve on each wing ensuring smooth independent hydraulic control for boom positioning.
Quantifiable outcome
- Performance boost of over 30% in challenging conditions with DCS-1 Dynamic Chassis Sensor
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use NORACSystems
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
NORACSystems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
NORACSystems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Topcon AgriculturecoreTopcon Agriculture distributes and integrates NORACSystems boom height control technology as part of its precision agriculture portfolio. The technology is marketed as 'Topcon's Norac Boom Height Control solution' and incorporates NORAC's ultrasonic sensing technology, Hybrid Mode, and related innovations into Topcon's broader agricultural technology ecosystem including the Topcon Agriculture Platform.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
NORACSystems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Trimble Agriculture (AGCO): Trimble Agriculture (now part of AGCO) provides broad precision agriculture solutions including guidance, ISOBUS, and implement control — overlapping with NORAC's boom control offerings as part of a much wider portfolio.
- John Deere: John Deere manufactures sprayers with fully integrated proprietary boom height and ExactApply control systems, representing both an OEM alternative to NORAC and the dominant integrated competitor in the precision spraying category.
- Amazone: Amazone is a European agricultural equipment manufacturer producing sprayers with proprietary boom guidance and height control systems, competing with NORAC for OEM-supplier slots and the broader precision spraying market.
- Hardi (part of EXEL Industries): Hardi is a major global sprayer manufacturer offering integrated boom height and rate control systems on its own machines, competing with NORAC both as an OEM-integrated solution and as an alternative supplier to third parties.
- CNH Industrial (Case IH): Case IH (part of CNH, which also owns Raven Industries) sells sprayers with proprietary AIM Command and boom height control systems, making CNH both a NORAC customer/competitor and the parent of a direct rival.
Direct peers
- Raven Industries (CNH Industrial): Raven (now part of CNH) is a leading precision agriculture supplier offering boom control, rate controllers, guidance, and ISOBUS systems — directly overlapping with NORAC's boom height control product line.
- CapstanAG: CapstanAG specializes in PWM spray nozzle control and boom application technology for agricultural sprayers, directly competing with NORAC in spray boom control and rate management for agricultural application equipment.
- TeeJet Technologies: TeeJet manufactures spray nozzles, boom components, controllers, and rate control electronics for agricultural sprayers, competing with NORAC in the spray boom electronics and control subsystem market.
Others
- AGCO (Fendt / Massey Ferguson / Hagie): AGCO produces Hagie self-propelled sprayers with integrated boom height control and now owns Trimble Ag's precision ag stack — competing with NORAC across both OEM sprayer electronics and precision ag platforms.
Regional players
- Lemken: Lemken is a European-based agricultural implement manufacturer (with growing North American presence) producing field sprayers with integrated boom guidance and rate control, serving as a regional alternative to NORAC-supplied solutions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NORACSystems social profiles
Digital presenceNORACSystems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NORACSystems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
NORACSystems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NORACSystems 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 NORACSystems
What does NORACSystems do?
NORACSystems designs and manufactures automatic boom height control systems for agricultural sprayers. Its core offering combines ultrasonic sensors (MS-1 with MAX Sense), controllers (HCM-1), proportional hydraulic valves, chassis sensors (DCS-1), and ISOBUS-compatible consoles to maintain consistent pre-set boom height above crops or soil. The technology is sold across four capability tiers — Standard Control, Passive Roll, Active Roll, and Active Wing Roll — and is distributed globally through Topcon Agriculture's dealer network.
Is NORACSystems a public or private company?
NORACSystems is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was NORACSystems founded?
NORACSystems was founded in 1974. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NORACSystems based?
NORACSystems is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada, in the North America region.
How does NORACSystems make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Boom Height Control Systems are the primary driver. The others are precision Agriculture Technology.
Who are NORACSystems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Trimble Agriculture (AGCO), John Deere, Amazone, Hardi (part of EXEL Industries) and CNH Industrial (Case IH). Direct peers are Raven Industries (CNH Industrial), CapstanAG and TeeJet Technologies. AGCO (Fendt / Massey Ferguson / Hagie) is listed as an others. Lemken is listed as a regional player.
Does NORACSystems have an API?
No public API is recorded for NORACSystems.
What industry is NORACSystems in?
NORACSystems's product category is Agricultural Sprayer Boom Height Control. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAADAF, Spray Control, Rate Controllers & Nozzle Systems (Pumps, Valves, Atomizers), with a secondary code of AFAGALAD, Variable Rate Technology & Precision Application (VRT Controllers, Section Control, Smart Sprayers/Spreaders). Its NAICS code is 334519 and its SIC code is 3823.