Rivulis has appointed Steve Francis as its new Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience to the global irrigation and agricultural technology company.
Francis joins Rivulis at an important stage in its growth as demand increases for technologies that help farmers use water more efficiently and improve agricultural productivity. His appointment is expected to support the company’s continued global expansion while strengthening its focus on customers and regional markets.
Rivulis has built its business around advanced irrigation solutions designed to help growers manage water resources more effectively. The company combines irrigation technology, technical expertise, and digital solutions to support agricultural operations across different climates and markets.
Experienced Leadership for a Global Business
Francis brings more than 20 years of experience as a CEO and chairman across farming and food production, plastics manufacturing, distribution, and industrial businesses.
During his career, he has led multinational organizations with billion-dollar operations, managing large teams and customer networks across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
That international experience will be particularly relevant to Rivulis as the company continues operating across a wide range of agricultural markets. The company serves thousands of growers and business partners globally, requiring a leadership approach that can balance global strategy with local customer needs.
Technology at the Center of Water Efficiency
Rivulis operates in a part of agriculture where technology is becoming increasingly important. Micro-irrigation systems can help growers deliver water more precisely to crops, reducing waste while supporting more efficient agricultural production.
The company has also expanded its use of digital and smart-farming technologies. These capabilities are designed to give growers better information about irrigation and crop conditions, helping them make more informed decisions about water management.
This focus is becoming increasingly important as farmers face pressure from water scarcity, changing weather conditions, and the need to produce more food with limited resources. Technology that improves irrigation efficiency can therefore play a significant role in the future of modern agriculture.
A Strong Focus on Customers
Francis is expected to build on Rivulis’ existing customer relationships while giving regional teams greater responsibility in their respective markets.
Rivulis Chairman Erez Meltzer said Francis’ record of leading global organizations and delivering customer-focused results aligns with the company’s strategy for its next stage of development.
The company currently supports more than 6,000 business partners and 7,000 growers worldwide, giving Francis a broad international network to work with as he takes on the role.
Supporting the Next Stage of Growth
Francis said Rivulis has an opportunity to become a preferred partner for growers and business partners by combining innovation, operational excellence, and strong local teams.
His appointment comes as agricultural technology continues to evolve beyond traditional equipment. Irrigation companies are increasingly combining physical infrastructure with data and digital tools to help growers improve efficiency and respond to changing environmental conditions.
For Rivulis, that creates an opportunity to expand its role from an irrigation equipment provider into a broader technology partner for modern agriculture.
A Strategic Leadership Appointment
The appointment of Francis signals Rivulis’ focus on scaling its global operations while continuing to invest in technology and customer relationships.
With growing demand for solutions that improve water efficiency, irrigation technology is becoming an increasingly important part of agricultural productivity. Rivulis’ international presence gives the company an opportunity to bring these solutions to more growers across different markets.
Under Francis’ leadership, the company will focus on strengthening its global operations, supporting regional teams, and continuing to develop solutions that help growers manage one of agriculture’s most important resources more efficiently.
As agriculture becomes increasingly connected to digital technology and resource-management solutions, Rivulis is positioning itself to play a larger role in the future of smarter and more efficient farming.