Company Overview

Spectrum Technologies manufactures and distributes affordable, leading-edge measurement information technology to the agricultural market throughout the world. Founded in 1987 by Mike Thurow, Spectrum is headquartered in Plainfield, IL.

The Technology

The company's technology is focused on four (4) primary product groups. They include:

Weather & Environmental Monitoring

• WatchDog™ Weather Stations
• WatchDog™ Data Loggers
• SpecWare™ Software

Nutrient Management Tools

• SPAD 502 Chlorophyll Meter
• Field Scout™ CM-1000 Chlorophyll Meter
• Cardy Meters for pH, EC, NO3-, K+ and Na

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Tools

• Fifteen Plant Disease Forecast Models (SpecWare software)
• Insect Modeling Software (SpecWare software)
• Degree-Day Recorders (WatchDog) and Software (SpecWare)

Soil Moisture & Quality Measurement

• TDR 300 Soil Moisture Probe
• Investigator™ Soil Compaction Meter
• WatchDog Soil Moisture Data Loggers

Customer Base

Spectrum has over 12,000 customers in over 60 countries. Some of Spectrum's customers include Pioneer Hi-Bred, Monsanto, Syngenta, USDA-ARS, Dow AgroSciences, Chiquita Brands, Dole, and all major universities. Growers, Ag consultants, and golf course superintendents are users of the company's products.

Industry Future

With consumers demanding higher quality food and environmental conditions, the need for measurement and monitoring technology will continue to grow. In addition, the need to conserve resources such as soil and water will drive the need to more measurement information technology.