WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Ag Growth International Inc. (AGI) announced on Jan. 16 that it has acquired 100% of the shares outstanding of Affinity Management Ltd. Affinity was launched in 2007 and currently has 18 employees, with headquarters in Oakville, Ontario. The transaction was funded from the company’s operating facilities.

Affinity was founded by Neal Dilawri and was developed over 12 years in partnership with one of the world’s largest agricultural inputs manufacturers.  Affinity is a provider of software solutions to the agriculture industry under the brand name Compass and includes a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for growers and ag retailers, as well as an agronomy tool.

The ERP system provides full accounting functionality, including management of accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and inventory tracking. Additionally, Affinity employs on-staff accountants who provide bookkeeping services to its grower customers.  Compass also acts as a central data repository and portal that allows for the sharing of information with a grower’s trusted advisers, including agronomists, accountants, lenders, and insurance providers.

AGI said the Compass product suite is highly complementary to the company’s current offering and will be a key component of the full AGI SureTrack platform.  Compass customers include independent growers, agronomy companies and ag retailers, representing more than 8,000 individual farmers across North America.

Dilawri will take on a senior leadership role with the AGI SureTrack platform and will provide vision and guidance to the platform going forward.

“AGI SureTrack is an independent platform bringing together data across the farm, providing our customers with the ability to manage their crop production, manage their overall business, and market their grain based on content and robust traceability,” said Tim Close, president and chief executive officer of AGI. “Compass takes AGI SureTrack to the next level, adding comprehensive ERP capabilities for AGI dealers and agriculture retailers, and significantly adding to our offering for farmers.  I am looking forward to working closely with Neal in his new leadership role with AGI SureTrack as we continue to grow this platform.  I also want to welcome the entire Affinity team to the AGI family.”