The search for a better way to monitor soil moisture and manage irrigation in South Australia’s Riverland region led to the founding of Sentek Technologies. Established in 1991, the company developed sensors and solutions to continuously monitoring soil moisture, temperature and salinity.
Sentek’s technology collects data and analytics that enable farm and crop managers increase crop yield and quality while reducing water, fertiliser and energy consumption. To date, the company has commercialised 20 hardware and software products servicing the irrigated agriculture, wastewater management, research, mining and environmental industries.
Sentek invests in research and development to ensure its products are easy to use and provide value for money. In 2015–16, export sales to Europe increased 75 per cent, due in part to the company’s strong working relationship with an integration partner.
Sentek’s clients include thousands of growers of over 100 crop types, China's Meteorological Administration and the US National Ecological Observatory Network.
In the US, Sentek products were selected for over 85 per cent of grants in subsidy regions on the east and west coasts during 2015–16. Some of these sales were realised during the financial year, with the vast bulk to follow in 2017. The company’s US presence has strengthened considerably and includes a warehouse and two new staff members.
Judges described Sentek Technologies as “a company that knows what it is doing”. It has had 25 years of experience to refine its products and strategy so that it can most effectively reach geographically diverse customers.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a proud sponsor of the Environmental Solutions Award category.
