Building stronger roots in the Americas

At TTA-ISO, we drive innovation in robotics for the horticulture and food industries. With a team of over 250 professionals across the Netherlands, North America, South America, Australia, and the Emirates, we deliver automation solutions that help our customers grow smarter and more sustainably.

A year ago, Kris Nightengale joined TTA just before its merger with ISO. Now, as President of TTA-ISO in the Americas, Kris brings both industry expertise and a clear vision for how the combined company can better serve growers from Canada to Chile.

From familiar faces to a new role

Kris was no stranger to TTA before he joined. Having worked with many of its people over the years, he admired their practical approach to solving problems. 

"At the core of good agricultural companies are people who are very practical," Kris explains. "That’s what drew me to TTA, and you could see it in their products. They were always focused on what worked best for growers and made solutions for them specifically."

Following the merger with ISO, this practical foundation was complemented by ISO’s bold innovations. “While TTA was excelling at solving problems others tackled, they simply did it better; ISO went and tackled new challenges that no one had attempted before.”

From competitors to one company

For many in the industry, the merger was surprising: TTA and ISO had been seen as competitors for years. Customers naturally wondered what this would mean for them. 

According to Kris, the answer has been clear: “The merger allows us to serve growers better. Customers have gained the innovation, reliability, and support of both companies.”

That combination is already paying off. With cross-trained technical teams, quicker service response from a U.S. base in Tennessee, and deeper product expertise, customers are noticing tangible benefits from day one.

Building in the Americas

TTA has long roots in the U.S., with its first customers being American growers. That foundation now strengthens ISO's position in the region.

Today, the combined Americas team operates as a single unit across sales, service, and technical support. A local presence means faster communication, shorter response times, and greater access to spare parts, which are critical for growers who rely on uninterrupted operations during their growing seasons.

"Customers are getting all the benefits, without losing what they valued before," Kris says. "They’re pleasantly surprised with how quickly we’ve come together as one team."

Opportunities beyond ornamentals

Traditionally, both TTA and ISO have been strong in the ornamental plant sector. But for Kris, the future lies in diversification. "Our businesses have always been heavily weighted in ornamentals, but I’d like to see us grow in other areas where that market doesn’t have to carry everything,” he explains.

Promising growth areas include:

• Forestry: supporting large-scale replanting efforts after fires or insect damage.

• Leafy greens and herbs: continuing to supply cutting-edge transplanting and handling solutions.

• Tomatoes and peppers: including the development of The HarvAI for automated tomato harvesting, which is one of the industry’s toughest challenges.

• Field crops like broccoli and lettuce: improving transplanting and labor efficiency.

• Eucalyptus in Brazil: a new market showing exciting potential.

With the launch of the Flexfixer, explicitly designed for the Americas market, TTA-ISO is demonstrating its commitment to solutions tailored to regional needs.

A new way of thinking

Beyond machinery, Kris sees a shift in mindset as essential for the industry. "Almost every solution we deliver is money that growers are already spending on labor. Our equipment allows them to lock in today’s labor costs for the life of the machine. It’s not just a capital expense; it’s a reassignment of operational expenses."

Helping growers see automation as a reliable, long-term investment rather than just a one-off purchase is, in his view, one of the most significant opportunities ahead.

Looking forward

For Kris, the merger isn’t just about combining two strong product portfolios: it’s about building a culture and a vision for the future. "Where we stand today is only the beginning of where we can go," he says. "And who we are today, the people and the values of TTA-ISO, is something we must never forget. That’s how we remain a world leader."

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