PlantTape, a global leader in automated transplanting solutions for the fresh produce industry, has announced the appointment of Bill Rover as Vice President of Sales, strengthening the company’s leadership team as it continues to expand its global presence and technology.

Rover brings more than 25 years of agribusiness leadership experience, with a proven record of building high‑performing sales organizations, developing strong dealer and grower partnerships, and driving adoption of advanced agricultural technologies in highly competitive markets.

In his new role, Rover will lead PlantTape’s global sales strategy, focusing on market expansion, customer engagement, and dealer development as growers increasingly look to automation to solve labor challenges and improve planting efficiency at scale.

“Bill joins PlantTape at an important point in our growth,” said Lance Portman, President and CEO of PlantTape. “We are seeing strong momentum in the market, driven by continued evolution of our transplanting platform and increasing demand from growers worldwide. Bill’s experience translating technology into real‑world value will be critical as we expand into new markets and strengthen our customer partnerships.”

Prior to joining PlantTape, Rover held senior sales and operations leadership roles across the transplanting, seed, substrate, and ag technology sectors, working closely with large‑scale agricultural operations throughout California and beyond. His background spans market development, team leadership, and high‑acreage production environments.

“I’m excited to join PlantTape at such a pivotal time,” said Rover. “The company has built a strong reputation for performance and reliability, and I look forward to working with growers and partners as PlantTape continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in automated transplanting.”

Rover’s appointment comes as PlantTape continues to invest in the evolution of its automated transplanting platform, responding to growing global demand for faster, more precise, and more scalable planting solutions. The company expects to share additional updates on these advancements in a later announcement.

PlantTape, a leader in automated transplanting technology, is pleased to announce key promotions and new hires within its North American sales and product development teams. These strategic changes reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to growth, innovation, and customer success, ensuring continued support for grower partners across diverse agricultural sectors.

Mike McLane has been promoted to Western Sales Manager, where he will continue supporting growers and driving sales expansion in the western region. With years of experience in the industry, McCLane has played a key role in helping growers transition to the PlantTape automated transplanting system. “I’m excited to step into this new role and continuing to help growers integrate PlantTape technology to maximize efficiency and yields,” said McLane.

Dominick Levari has been promoted to Eastern USA and Canadian Regional Sales Manager, where he will lead sales efforts and expand PlantTape’s presence in these key markets. Since joining PlantTape, Levari has demonstrated a strong ability to connect with growers and cater to their unique needs. “PlantTape’s automated transplanting system has transformed the way many growers approach transplanting,” said Levari. “I look forward to expanding our reach and providing solutions to even more operations to help growers overcome labor challenges while increasing efficiencies.”

In addition to these promotions, PlantTape is excited to announce two new team members. Xavier Valenzuela has joined the team as a Product Development Specialist. With a strong background in agricultural innovation, Valenzuela will play a key role in advancing PlantTape’s product offerings. His expertise will help enhance the system’s capabilities and ensure continued improvement based on grower feedback. Varinder Sidhu has joined as Canadian Sales Representative, bringing deep understanding of the Canadian agriculture market. His experience with regional growers and understanding of market dynamics will be instrumental in supporting PlantTape’s growth across Canada.

“These leadership advancements reinforce our commitment to a boots-on-the-ground approach with our customers,” said Danielle Michaels, Director of North America Sales. “We work closely with growers to ensure PlantTape technology is optimized for their specific needs, and our team is present for training and ongoing support—something that sets us apart from competing technologies. The hiring and promotion of our personnel will ensure we are with our current and new customers every step of the way, providing hands-on guidance and reinforcing our dedication to their success.”

PlantTape continues to invest in research, product development, and customer support to ensure that its automated transplanting system remains at the forefront of agricultural technology. By expanding its team and strengthening its leadership, the company is well positioned to meet the growing demand for innovative transplanting solutions worldwide.

PlantTape, a leader in agricultural technology, is proud to announce the commercial launch of its latest innovation: an Automated Tomato Transplanter. This cutting-edge solution is poised to transform the way tomatoes are transplanted, offering increased efficiency and precision for growers worldwide.

Designed with extensive input from tomato growers and industry experts, the Automated Tomato Transplanter addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by modern agriculturalists. This innovative module can plant up to 12″ tall transplants, ensuring rapid and uniform planting across fields. With the capability to bury plants 8″ deep and inject over 400 gallons of water per acre, this technology optimizes growing conditions for maximum crop health and productivity.

“Our team is thrilled to introduce the Automated Tomato Transplanter, the culmination of years of research, development, and collaboration with the tomato industry,” said Danielle Michaels, Director of North America Sales at PlantTape. “We recognized the need for a solution that expedites the planting process while saving planting labor, and we’re proud to deliver a product that achieves both.”

Currently, the Automated Tomato Transplanter is available for commercial planting trials for the 2025 tomato season. Growers interested in learning more about this groundbreaking technology are encouraged to reach out to Jesus Vasquez at PlantTape for additional information.

PlantTape, an industry leader in automated transplanting technology, and Plantel, a prominent agricultural nursery, are excited to announce the grand opening of a new sowing line facility in Santa Maria, California. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 939 West Boone St., Santa Maria, CA.

The grand opening will feature an official tour of the new sowing facility, showcasing the cutting-edge technology driving the future of sustainable agriculture. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view PlantTape’s revolutionary automated transplanters, which will be on display throughout the event. Lunch will be provided at 12:00 PM, offering guests a chance to engage with industry leaders and learn more about how this new facility will impact the region’s agricultural landscape.

“The launch of this new sowing line facility represents a significant step forward in streamlining the process of sowing and transplanting. This innovation will not only boost efficiency but also drive sustainability by reducing labor inputs and improving the overall resource management,” said Stephen Waldron, Director of Innovation at Plantel. “We’re excited to see how this new facility will continue to support the growers and agricultural operations in the region.”

Danielle Michaels, Director of Sales at PlantTape, added, “Our collaboration with Plantel and this facility expansion will greatly enhance our ability to meet the growing demands of our customers. By increasing our sowing capabilities, we’re positioned to provide even better service, helping farmers optimize their planting process and improve overall yields.”

With this new facility, PlantTape and Plantel continue to demonstrate their commitment to providing the agricultural industry with innovative solutions that improve productivity while reducing the environmental footprint.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
• Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Lunch: 12:00 PM
• Location: 939 West Boone St., Santa Maria, CA

For more information about the event or to RSVP, please contact Mike McLane at mikemclane@planttape.com

Lance Portman takes on role as President of PlantTape and Hunter Smith promoted to Vice President of Agriculture & Sales

Lance Portman is the new President of PlantTape

SALINAS, Ca. (June 22, 2021) –   PlantTape®, an automated transplanting system, announced today the promotion of Lance Portman to President and Hunter Smith to Vice President of Agriculture & Sales.  The two key promotions will provide the innovative company with ample support for continued growth within the United States and globally.

“Both Lance and Hunter joined our PlantTape team at a pivotal time of growth and have been there every step of the way during PlantTape’s commercialization,” said Brian Antle, prior President of PlantTape.  “Their combined knowledge, leadership skills and in depth understanding of the agriculture industry as well as PlantTape system, will continue to take this innovative company far into the future.”

Brian Antle previously served as PlantTape’s President

Portman joined the forward thinking PlantTape team in 2018 as Vice President of Engineering.  Prior to joining PlantTape, he held several leadership positions that spanned across the United States, Canada, Indonesia, and Singapore.  Portman held numerous roles during his 14-year tenure at BJ Services Company, which included Technical Advisor and Director of Research & Engineering Coiled Tubing.  He additionally served as Vice President of Coiled Tubing & Cementing at Baker Hughes Incorporated and Vice President of Marketing at Cormorant Engineering LLC.  In his new role as President of PlantTape, Portman will oversee all operations and drive the company’s success in transforming the automated transplanting for vegetable, tomato, hemp and other crops.

“PlantTape is a fantastic, labor and money saving technology that is yet to reach its full potential across all applications. I am honored for the chance to take on this key leadership role within PlantTape, and the opportunity to make this the most successful and accepted transplanting system globally,” said Portman.  “I look forward to forming new partnerships with growers, and pledge to continue to give our existing customers the best service possible.”

Hunter Smith has been promoted to VP of Agriculture and Sales

Hunter Smith, Ph.D., joined PlantTape in 2018 as the company’s Director of Agronomy.  Smith received his bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University and attended graduate school at the University of Florida.  He completed his doctorate program in Agronomy there in 2016.  Prior to his current role at PlantTape, Smith performed field research, developed pesticide programs, and optimized growing practices for Generation Farms in Southeast Georgia.  In his new role as Vice President of Agriculture & Sales, Smith will continue to oversee the agronomic studies of PlantTape while taking on the management of the company’s sales team.

“With significant labor shortages on the farm, automation is taking over the agricultural industry.  PlantTape is leading the automation revolution and I’m excited to continue working for such an innovative company,” said Smith.  “We’ve made great progress over the last few years and I look forward to PlantTape becoming the dominant transplanting technology around the world.”

About PlantTape

PlantTape is an automated transplanting system

PlantTape is an automated transplanting system that is ideal for agricultural producers aiming for increased efficiency and productivity. The system is more efficient than the conventional transplanting method and offers a fully integrated system from sowing the tape, to germination and nursery care, to transplanting in the field. PlantTape is commercially used to transplant vegetables, tomatoes, hemp and other crops.

A PlantTape automated transplanter in the field