Fagerman Technologies: Mapping Export Success
Fagerman Technologies are an aggressive team of mobile mapping pioneers who build and create custom LiDAR solutions for collecting from the ground, water, and air. Based in Somerville, Alabama, Fagerman is a world leader in geomatics and measurement sciences. They provide proprietary software and control point tools to build LiDAR and camera solutions that allow customers to 3D map large areas quickly. Their products are suitable for use with backpack, car, truck, SUV, UAV, helicopter, boat, and rail. Fagerman provides solutions in GIS, surveying, civil engineering, agriculture, forensics, building information modeling, heritage mapping – all things 3D and beyond – for both indoor and outdoor use.
Jeff Fagerman founded Fagerman Technologies and LiDARUSA in 1999. The key technologists are Jeff and Daniel Fagerman (father and son, respectively). Both are graduates of Purdue University with advanced degrees from the School of Civil Engineering. Photogrammetry has been their long-time specialty, particularly with cutting-edge technology for photo triangulation and using the latest GPS technology. Their recent innovations have been on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based LIDAR and building an economical dual use UAV and mobile mapping system.
Their service applications are wide ranging and include government entities, mining operations, construction firms, railroad development and maintenance, land surveyors, pulp and paper industry, large agriculture, utilities including power lines and utility poles. Any industry needing 3D mapping can make use of Fagerman Technology products.
While Fagerman Technologies, Inc. DBA LiDARUSA has been recognized in countless articles, their most recent accolades include receiving an award at the Global Digital World conference in Spain for project work at Dracula’s castle in Transylvania, Romania. Scanning the ancient ruins of the castle was integral part to the restoration and preservation of what has become an important part of Romanian history and modern day tourism. An article highlighting the project can be found in XYHT magazine written by Jeff Thoreson.
In addition, LiDARUSA completed work with Baylor University and the archeology explorer Josh Gates. This project was featured on the TV show Expedition Unknown and highlights their product’s role in uncovering untouched Roman tombs in Barbarano, Italy. The episode can be found on Expedition Unknown on HBO MAX – season 10 episode 14.
Alabama International Trade Center (AITC) Assistance
As Fagerman Technologies began to pursue exporting in 2012, they worked with the AITC at the University of Alabama for overseas market research to identify new customer segments, distributors, trade shows, and end-users. The AITC is part of the Alabama SBDC Network, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Over the years, the AITC prepared export market research on South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe which helped guide their international growth strategies. The Center also provided training on export procedures and identified foreign distributors.
LiDARUSA had a customer in Peru that needed assistance shipping batteries and the AITC provided a solution. The shipment opened up a network of other customers and expanded the customer base in Peru.
LiDARUSA attends several trade shows every year exhibiting their latest innovations. The shows include InterGEO, Commercial UAV conference, Build Expos, state Surveyors conferences, and many more. They used the SBA-funded STEP grant program in 2018 to attend an industry trade show in Frankfurt, Germany.
The firm now has export customers and products in over 50 countries including Antigua, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Cypress, Germany, Guyana, India, Indonesia, India, Isreal, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Malasia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Napal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Rowanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Spain, Thailand, Uganda, United Arabs Emirates, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.
In 2014, Fagerman Technologies export achievements were recognized when it received the Alabama Governor’s Export Award. Owner Jeff Fagerman has this to say about the help they received from the AITC through the years:
“The assistance we received from AITC was paramount to our overseas growth in markets that would have been difficult to penetrate otherwise. AITC offered market research and analysis in sectors that were unknown to us at the time which generated solid overseas growth. As a small business owner, having access to a helpful program like AITC has been such a great resource for long-term expansion.”
Fagerman Technologies Inc. has a vision to have their technology utilized in every country across the world. Each year they add new countries to their customer list. As they innovate the latest technology to improve their product, they gain an overseas edge on the competition. LiDARUSA will continue to provide top-of-the-line LiDAR systems across the world and proudly represent the state of Alabama.