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, a leading pioneer in automated transplanting solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Jesus Vasquez as the new Western USA Regional Sales Manager. With nearly three decades of extensive experience in the agriculture industry, Jesus brings a profound understanding of sustainable farming practices, operational efficiency, and leadership to his new role.  This addition to the team will further enhance PlantTape’s commitment to continual innovation, customer service and continued growth across key agricultural regions.

As Western USA Regional Sales Manager, Vazquez will lead the Western Sales team, focusing on optimizing farm operations through innovative practices, precision farming techniques, and data-driven decision-making. His primary responsibilities will include enhancing customer engagement, expanding market presence, and driving PlantTape’s mission to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions that meet the evolving needs of growers.

Throughout his career, Vasquez has been a driving force in enhancing productivity and maximizing efficiency, and cultivating strong relationships within his teams and the wider agricultural community.  His vision aligns seamlessly with PlantTape’s core values, making him an ideal fit for this new role. 

“I am thrilled to be joining PlantTape, a company that has not only revolutionized transplanting technology, but also demonstrates an unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation and fostering a positive work culture. I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the company and collaborating with the talented team dedicated to making a lasting impact on the agriculture industry,” said Vasquez.

Jesus’s leadership and vision will be instrumental in expanding PlantTape’s footprint across the Western region, reinforcing the company’s mission to deliver cutting-edge agricultural solutions that help growers increase productivity, reduce labor costs, and promote sustainable farming practices.

PlantTape’s automated transplanting system has gained widespread recognition for its ability to revolutionize the way crops are planted while drastically decreasing a reliance on labor, offering an efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional methods. PlantTape continues to set new benchmarks in the industry, providing farmers with the tools they need to meet the challenges of modern agriculture.

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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

PlantTape, the leading provider of an automated transplanting system and Stokes Seed, a renowned seed company, are excited to announce a dynamic new partnership aimed at delivering exceptional service to their grower customers. In an effort to provide growers with the best possible resources, PlantTape has decided to collaborate with Stokes Seeds, making them the recommended seed supplier for PlantTape customers across the eastern regions of the United States and Canada.

“Cultivating this partnership with Stokes Seeds marks a pivotal moment for PlantTape and underscores our commitment to supporting our East Coast customers at the highest level,” said Dominick Levari, East Coast Sales Manager at PlantTape. “By synergizing our cutting-edge transplanting technology with Stokes Seeds’ exceptional seed offerings, we’re poised to elevate growers’ capabilities and outcomes. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of driving innovation and excellence within the industry.”

Under this new partnership, Stokes Seeds and PlantTape will work together to supply growers who utilize PlantTape technology with the highest quality seeds available, ensuring that the advantages of the automated transplanting system are fully leveraged. By strategically warehousing seed at PlantTape’s Livingston, Tennessee operation, customer orders will be processed more efficiently, and seeded tape will be swiftly transported to greenhouses.

To further enhance the customer experience, Stokes Seeds sales representatives will provide growers with PlantTape specifications and available options for PlantTape-certified greenhouses. They will also offer expert recommendations on seed selections that are best suited for sowing using the PlantTape technology.

PlantTape, headquartered in Salinas, California, stands at the forefront of automated transplanting systems, revolutionizing commercial vegetable transplant production through precision agriculture. Their cutting-edge technology is particularly beneficial for grower operations with crops such as tomatoes, hemp, and other row vegetables.

Stokes Seeds, with a rich history dating back to 1881, is a trusted distributor of commercial vegetable seeds. With operations in multiple locations including Holland, Michigan, Buffalo, New York, Vineland, New Jersey, Moultrie, Georgia, LaBelle, Florida, and Thorold, Ontario, Stokes Seeds is well-positioned to serve its customers effectively. Their team of 25 territory managers is dedicated to providing growers with access to the latest seed varieties.

This partnership between PlantTape and Stokes Seed represents a significant step forward in supporting growers and their agricultural endeavors. By combining the expertise of two industry leaders, customers can expect enhanced product offerings, streamlined processes, and outstanding service.

One of the many benefits of the PlantTape automated transplanting system is its versatility in handling a variety of commodity types. For growers that grow multiple commodities, this versatility proves invaluable. PlantTape gives growers the ability to have a single transplanter that can plant almost every commodity in their farming program

Switching between crops with PlantTape

PlantTape’s simultaneous planting of six different commodities was purely a showcase of how crop-agnostic our system is. While a grower will almost certainly not need to plant diverse crops simultaneously, many growers will need to plant different crops consecutively. PlantTape allows them to do so with unprecedented ease.

Changing plant-to-plant (or in-row) spacing.

PlantTape offers growers a way to change the pant to plant spacing with ease via a simple touch screen computer located on the side of the planter. Spacing can even be changed while the planter is running if the operator chooses.

Planting consecutive commodities with different bed configurations

If two commodities have different bed configurations—for example, onions and broccoli—then a grower will need to make simple some mechanical adjustments to our automated transplanter.

Line-to-line spacing can be altered in the field with standard hand tools in a matter of minutes. Planting lines can be added or removed by raising or lowering planting modules via a valve on the planting module cylinder.

If a crew is planting 6 lines of onions on a 72” bed and needs to switch to 2 lines of broccoli on a 36” bed, they would load the broccoli seedlings into the transplanter, raise up the two middle planting modules to take them out of action, and make any desired line-to-line adjustments. After a short time, they’re back in business, planting two 36” rows of broccoli at a 72” wheelbase.

Unprecedented transplanting flexibility

Compared to other transplanters, which are often manufactured with fixed bed configurations and designed for a specific commodity, the PlantTape automated transplanting system brings unprecedented versatility to growers of vegetables, tomatoes, and hemp.

Commodity-to-commodity versatility is only one of the many ways PlantTape empowers growers. As we showcased last month, the PlantTape system also offers flexibility in when to plant seedlings.

The world’s fastest transplanter

Not only is the PlantTape transplanter versatile, it’s also blazing fast. Recently, we decided to see how fast. We took it to 20mph and it still planted flawlessly. Read about the demo and why we feel confident in our claim of having the world’s fastest transplanter.

About PlantTape

The PlantTape seedling planter is the fastest, most adaptable, and most user-friendly transplanter on the market. It’s only one component of the PlantTape automated transplanting system, which covers sowing, nursery operations, and transplanting. 

To learn more about PlantTape, or to request a field demo, contact sales@planttape.com or call +1 (888) 272-6828

From the beginning, PlantTape has prioritized customer service. When our growers face challenges, we make it a priority to help them.

“I’ve been impressed with knowledge brought to the table by the PlantTape team, they always know what to do over the phone. Really appreciate the customer support. Anytime we have a question there is always an immediate response.” Bryan Knepper, operations manager, Rothert Farms, Okeechobee, Florida

When growers contact us for support, their issue typically falls into one of two categories: agronomy-related, or equipment-related.

Agronomic customer support

The PlantTape system is designed to integrate into existing growing operations with a minimum of disruption. PlantTape does, however, introduce specific tolerances, and growers sometimes have questions.

For example, an onion grower might wonder about the timing of mowing onions with the PlantTape system, or a greenhouse operator might have a question about recommended railing systems. Growers might want to ask about recommended fertilizer programs, or any number of other agricultural queries.

PlantTape’s agronomy team is available to respond to all agronomy-related questions, and to help growers thrive with the PlantTape system. In addition to helping customers navigate specific challenges, we also offer advice, tips, and tricks for maximizing agricultural output with the system.

Equipment-related customer support

PlantTape’s mechanical design makes it one of the most user-friendly automated transplanters on the market. To help our customers minimize disruption and frustration, PlantTape’s customer service representatives and engineers are available 24/7 to respond to any issues that arise.

Whether a grower needs advice on rebuilding their planting modules at the end of the season or is having a bit of trouble changing line-to-line spacing, the PlantTape team is a video call away to keep our customers operational.

Setting the standard for agricultural customer service

PlantTape believes that concierge customer service is the only way to do business. When our growers thrive, we thrive. That’s why we are passionate about our growers’ success and immediately respond to any questions or concerns they may have.

To learn more about PlantTape or to request a demo of our automated transplanting system, visit our contact page, or call (888) 272-6828

About PlantTape

 PlantTape is an agtech company based in Salinas, CA with operations around the globe. Whether you’re looking for the most user-friendly vegetable planter, or need a better hemp transplanting solution, the PlantTape automated transplanting system can help you increase crop yield, improve greenhouse throughput, and reduce transplanting labor costs by as much as 80%.

PlantTape conducts a successful tomato planting trial in Ohio

On May 20, 2021, PlantTape conducted a tomato transplanting trial in Northwest Ohio. Planting in the heat, and with no irrigation, PlantTape successfully planted 3 acres of tomato seedlings, using sub-surface water injection to the plant roots.

Trays of tomato seedlings rady for transplanting

Tomato seedlings just planted, Northwestern Ohio

Quality Tomato Transplants

Jason Kelly of S.A.L.’s Vegetable Transplants was PlantTape’s nursery partner for the trial (S.A.L.’s was also the nursery partner for our lettuce transplanting case study involving Rothert Farm). He grew a uniform, hardened-off tomato plant perfect for Ohio’s hot conditions and also for the PlantTape automated transplanting system, which favors a shorter, stockier tomato seedling.

Planting tomatoes with underground water injection

For the transplanting trial, a hydraulic pump injected water below-ground from two tractor-mounted tanks. A hose attached to a nipple on the hollow planting shoe allowed for water to be delivered directly to each seedling’s roots. Using 400 gallons to the acre, the water was injected directly to each plant’s root zone, creating a good seal and minimizing evaporation. The transplants were able to establish quickly and start growing. In the five days immediately after the planting, temperatures remained high and the plants received no additional water. No wilting was observed, and all plants remained vibrant. On the sixth day, it rained.

S.A.L’s Vegetable Transplants cultivated tomato seedlings ideal for the PlantTape automated transplanting system

The PlantTape system proven for no-irrigation tomato transplanting

Considering that much of the American Midwest does not utilize irrigation in tomato agriculture, PlantTape needed to demonstrate planting viability for no-irrigation tomato growing operations. Our May tomato trial did just that, showing that tomato seedlings remain hardy for several days post-planting due to our delivery of water to the seedling root zone.

Previous PlantTape tomato trials in California had already proven the viability of the PlantTape system for tomato agriculture with irrigation; now, its viability for planting tomatoes in the absence of irrigation has been demonstrated.

Read next: PlantTape follows up with the Ohio tomato trial, measuring crop yield and other key factors.

About PlantTape

PlantTape represents an entire automated transplanting system.

• Sowing: it all begins with our automated sowing system, which seeds our tape.
• Nursery: PlantTape empowers high-yield nursery operations by more than doubling greenhouse throughput.
• Transplanting: our 3-point planter is the fastest, most efficient transplanter on the planet.

The entire process, from sowing through greenhouse operations through transplanting, is enabled by our trademark plant tape: a tape that holds seeds, and later seedlings, through the entire cycle.

Growers of vegetables, tomatoes, and hemp have revolutionized their operations with PlantTape’s precision agriculture solutions. Our customers have reduced labor costs by as much as 80%, increased crop yield, and introduced other efficiencies to their operations.

One of the many benefits of the PlantTape automated transplanting system is the logistical flexibility it gives growers and greenhouse operators. Specifically, PlantTape seedlings can be planted at any time after the sowing process.

With conventional transplanting, plants and roots must be sufficiently developed to withstand being manually pulled from celled nursery trays. A transplant that is pulled too early can be damaged or destroyed.

Because PlantTape places transplants into the ground with minimal human touch and without disturbing the roots, seedlings can be planted at any time after sowing. Whether the seedling is at the cotyledon stage or with 5 true leaves, the PlantTape planting modules cut the tape between plants and place each into the soil, while the tape material protects and encapsulates the delicate roots. 

To use another example, a celery grower has 45-day old seedlings in the greenhouse when he learns that part of his crew is moving on in a week, leaving him short-staffed. (Read how PlantTape reduces transplanting labor requirements by 80%.)

Given the scarcity of skilled agricultural labor, the grower can’t hire more employees in time, and his celery is too young to plant immediately with conventional methods.

Again, PlantTape to the rescue. The grower decides to plant before the workers depart, and PlantTape handles the young celery seedlings just fine.

A demonstration with romaine seedlings of different ages

To demonstrate PlantTape’s ability to transplant seedlings at almost any maturation stage, we recently loaded our transplanter with six lines of romaine, each line being a different aged plant, and planted it near Salinas, CA.

On the far left, a line of romaine sown one week prior, with cotyledons barely sprouting. On the far right, a line of romaine at 6 weeks with 4-5 true leaves and three-inch tall plants. In between were lines of romaine at 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks.

As seen in the YouTube video, the PlantTape planting modules had no issue precisely placing each seedling into the soil, regardless of developmental stage.

When we checked in on the 6 lines two weeks (?) after planting, all seedlings were thriving. 

To learn more about PlantTape, or to request a field demo, contact sales@planttape.com or call +1 (888) 272-6828