Aquitania Equipos: 2 decades of innovation in agricultural mechanization in Latin America join Smartcherry 

Aquitania Equipos has established itself as a key player in the mechanization of agriculture and forestry production in Chile, Argentina and Peru. Founded 23 years ago as a small vineyard equipment representative company, Aquitania Equipos has expanded its reach by incorporating new technologies and equipment from countries such as the United States, Germany and France. 

Today, the company offers a wide range of products including nut harvesting equipment, manual and mechanized pruning systems, precision misting machines, fruit transport and logistics equipment, and pressurized safety cabins for tractors.

General manager Eugenio Santelices recalls the initial challenges: “Growth was not easy, we had no name or reputation. I was 26 years old, I was starting out alone, I had almost no money and nobody knew me in the agricultural sector.” 

However, his vision and determination allowed him to identify an unfilled niche: advanced technology with excellent technical service and immediate availability of spare parts. “Farmers were afraid of technology because they did not trust technical support,” says Santelices. 

To counter this mistrust, Aquitania Equipment has placed great emphasis on after-sales service, ensuring a large stock of spare parts and a professional and well-trained technical team.

Aquitania Teams focuses on six key areas:

1. Efficiency: Their equipment is designed to do the job at a lower cost and in less time than traditional equipment. For example, one Aquitania Equipos nebulizer can replace three conventional machines.
2. Integration and Comfort: The company strives to make the operator's work more comfortable and enjoyable, which also helps to attract and retain good workers. The Electrocoup electric shears, the lightest and most powerful on the market, are an example of this, making pruning work easier and promoting the inclusion of female labor in this task.
3. Security: Aquitania Equipment prioritizes the safety of its operators. The armored, soundproofed, air-conditioned and pressurized cabins for tractors protect workers from chemicals, reduce noise and provide a safe and comfortable environment. In addition, the electronic shears have a safety system that prevents accidental cuts.
4. EnvironmentReducing fuel, water and chemical consumption is a priority for Aquitania Equipment, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability.
5. After-sales: "All equipment is just junk without good after-sales service," says Santelices. The company guarantees high-quality technical service and immediate availability of spare parts, essential for the continued operation of high-tech equipment.
6. Professional and Personal Growth: Aquitania Equipos promotes the professional and personal development of its employees, offering them opportunities to undertake, study and grow within the company. "I have tried to make everyone who works in the company happy, that work is motivating and well-paid, with a pleasant environment, with good communication and safety," says Santelices.

The international expansion of Aquitania Equipos includes the establishment of a headquarters in California seven years ago, from where the development and manufacturing of new equipment and technologies is coordinated. This expansion reflects the vision of the future and the ability to adapt of a company that, from its humble beginnings, has managed to become a benchmark in agricultural mechanization in several Latin American markets.