SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Sept. 7, 2018—HKD Snowmakers has acquired the controls, monitoring and automation business of Sno.matic Controls and Engineering, a company that specializes in providing products that monitor snowmaking systems andSno.matic president Scott Barthold (left) with HKD president Charles Santry automatically control pump stations and air plants using its proprietary iSno platform. The new division of HKD Snowmakers will operate under the name iSno Controls and Automation. The engineering division of Sno.matic will remain under the ownership and direction of company founder and president Scott Barthold, and operate independently as Sno.matic.

iSno Controls and Automation will continue to provide products and solutions that are not specific to any one snowgun or machinery vendor. The iSno software is able to integrate all types of devices: plant machinery, snowguns of any brand, and existing control networks.

The new division will leverage the inherent strengths of both companies. “The control and automation portion of our business has grown steadily since our inception,” said Barthold. “HKD has assembled a nationwide team of professionals who will help service and support our current and future customer base. HKD also operates a top-shelf manufacturing and design facility for the production of control panels and automation products.”

“This is a natural fit,” said HKD Snowmakers president Charles Santry. “I have known Scott for 24 years and our companies have worked closely together in the development of our KLiK automation and the Tracker product line. I am excited to work with Scott, and his controls team of Lance Anderson and Erik Larson. By combining their expertise in controls, with our outstanding team in the field, we are well-positioned to assist our customers going forward on all technical fronts.”

The iSno Controls and Automation division will be based in Lyme, N.H., where Sno.matic is headquartered. Barthold will stay on to operate and co-manage iSno Controls and Automation over the next two years before gradually transitioning to a decreased role.