Japanese drone manufacturer ACSL has partnered with Exertis Almo to strengthen its distribution network across North America. The agreement, announced today, aims to accelerate the availability of ACSL‘s SOTEN drone system through Exertis Almo’s established commercial channels.
The partnership comes as ACSL seeks to dramatically increase its US market penetration, with stated goals of boosting SOTEN unit shipments from hundreds in 2024 to thousands in 2025. This expansion follows what ACSL describes as a defining year in 2024, marked by numerous SOTEN deployments and significant product updates, including the announcement of a new thermal camera and smart controller.
“We’ve spent considerable time in the field since our initial launch into the US, learning from our users, and continuously improving our systems based on their feedback,” noted Cynthia Huang, CEO of ACSL Inc., emphasizing the company’s focus on market adaptation.
Distribution Infrastructure and Training
Exertis Almo brings significant logistics capabilities to the partnership, including 12 distribution facilities and 2.7 million square feet of automated warehousing space. The distributor, with its team of over 300 employees, will showcase the SOTEN drone at upcoming E4 Experience training and AV tech expos in Dallas and New Jersey this spring.
The distribution agreement coincides with ACSL’s planned launch of its new 640 radiometric thermal camera system in Spring 2025. Recent updates have enhanced the SOTEN’s capabilities, focusing on improved gimbal stability and video quality through optimized motion-sensing algorithms, strengthened gimbal motor compensation, and enhanced electronic image stabilization.
Market Position and Competition
As an NDAA-compliant drone manufacturer, ACSL is positioning itself to capitalize on growing demand for trusted UAS systems in the US market. The company’s SOTEN drone targets inspection, surveying, and surveillance applications across energy, public safety, and agricultural sectors.
Eric Jameson, Business Development Manager for Drone Solutions at Exertis Almo, underscored the significance of the partnership:
“ACSL’s NDAA/TAA-compliant drones provide versatile usage for inspection, surveying and surveillance across industries such as energy, public safety, and agriculture. As the leading trade-only distributor in the Drone Industry, Exertis Almo is committed to supporting integrators in navigating this growing market.”
Industry Implications
This partnership represents a significant shift in ACSL’s US market strategy. While the company has previously handled distribution more directly, the move to work with a major distributor indicates the scale of its growth ambitions in the North American market. ACSL has announced plans for additional product and feature updates throughout 2025, suggesting a sustained commitment to market development.
The success of this partnership could have broader implications for the drone industry, particularly for international manufacturers looking to establish themselves in the US market. As demand for NDAA-compliant systems continues to grow, the ability to scale distribution while maintaining product quality and support will be critical.
The partnership’s effectiveness will ultimately be measured by whether it helps ACSL achieve its ambitious goal of increasing SOTEN unit shipments from hundreds to thousands in 2025, while maintaining the level of support required by commercial drone operators.
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