SEPTEMBER 2026  SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA   33
ROBIN KLEINWORT  never expected his 
path to the seed industry to begin with a 
hunting horn group.
More than a decade ago, the mechan­
ical engineer met SATEC founder Jens 
Hacklaender through a shared hunting 
group in Germany. Over the years, con­
versations about the business evolved into 
something bigger. When Hacklaender 
thought about the company’s future, he 
asked Kleinwort if he would consider 
taking over the machine-building com­
ponent of SATEC Equipment.
The opportunity aligned with a 
lifelong ambition to start his own busi­
ness. Before making the leap, Kleinwort 
immersed himself in an industry he had 
never worked in before and discovered a 
mission that resonated with him.
“In the seed industry, I find it very 
exciting to work where it is all about 
feeding the world,’ he says. “Researching 
new technologies to move farming to the 
next level, to become more efficient and 
thereby also feeding more people. It is 
very appealing motivation.”
Kleinwort officially became managing 
director Aug. 1 after purchasing SATEC 
Equipment earlier in 2026. Hacklaender 
assists in the background while focus­
ing on SATEC Handelsgesellschaft. 
Kleinwort plans to accelerate growth 
without changing the customer-first 
approach that built the company.
Carrying Customer-First Culture
“The previous owner always had a very 
good ear for the customers,” Kleinwort 
says. “Most of the products were devel­
oped based on customer needs.”
He believes that willingness to listen 
remains a competitive advantage.
“We carefully listen to the customer 
and their individual needs, then create a 
perfect solution for them,” he says.
SATEC Equipment and SATEC 
Handelsgesellschaft will continue to 
strong sales organization,” he says.
That includes developing stronger 
sales and service partnerships in North 
America, South America and the Asia-
Pacific region.
“If your machines are good enough, 
they sell themselves,” Kleinwort says of 
the company's long-standing philosophy. 
“I agree with this. But, I think you also 
need presence close by your customers.”
Beyond the Mixing Chamber
Innovation fuels growth. SATEC built a 
strong reputation for laboratory coating 
and pelleting equipment, with customer 
relationships leading to larger automated 
industrial seed treatment systems.
The company plans to continue 
investing in automation for laboratory 
coating and pelleting machines, reducing 
repetitive tasks while improving repeat­
ability and testing efficiency.
Kleinwort also wants SATEC to 
expand equipment before and after seed 
treatment, giving customers a more com­
plete system from one supplier.
Preserving What Matters
Kleinwort sees the leadership transi­
tion as both continuity and renewal. He 
wants long-term customers to recognize 
the same commitment to service and 
partnership while seeing renewed invest­
ment in innovation, new markets and 
customer support.
“Our expertise in machinery, as well 
as in the development of seed treat­
ment products and pelleting technol­
ogy – all under one roof – is unrivalled 
in the industry. It offers our customers a 
comprehensive service. This is a treas­
ure worth cherishing,” he says. “We are 
happy to welcome new customers, espe­
cially from new regions, to serve them 
with excellent seed treatment machinery 
quality, to help them to be successful on 
the market.” 
BUILT ON TRUST, READY TO GROW
New leadership is bringing fresh energy to SATEC’s customer-first culture.
Robin Kleinwort takes over as managing 
director of SATEC, bringing an engineering 
background to his new role. 
Photo: SATEC
cooperate where it benefits customers, 
combining equipment with expertise and 
products for seed coating and pelleting.
“If results have to be improved, we 
have different possibilities: modifications 
of the equipment, the product or the 
recipe,” Kleinwort says.
That customer focus also shapes how 
Kleinwort views the business.
“We are a family business; we focus 
on long-term customer partnerships,” he 
says. “We’re not always looking for the 
most profitable solution for ourselves, but 
we’re looking for the most profitable solu­
tion for our customers.”
Making Growth Intentional
While SATEC’s values will remain 
intact, Kleinwort sees an opportunity 
to regain momentum. He says SATEC 
combines technology, chemistry and 
service for seed treatment, but increased 
competition has changed the landscape.
“Now it’s time to gain back some of 
the business that we lost by building up a 
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