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Winkler, Manitoba Canada | After reading the following press release I did some checking on the status of Valtra in North America earlier in the year. You will note that this is a later press release than the one you listed. Unless Agco has changed their mind since then, Valtra is done in North America by the end of 2010 is what I was told by multiple sources.
DULUTH, GA (January 12, 2010) — AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO), Your Agriculture Company, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, officially announced details of the company’s North American brand strategy for 2010 and beyond. This is a major step in an aggressive business approach which focuses on bringing new products and improved services to professional growers and advancing AGCO’s position as a leading player in the North American agricultural machinery marketplace.
“Our North American strategy is based on two simple ideas that will improve our overall competitiveness,” says Robert Crain, senior vice president and general manager, North America, AGCO Corp. “First, by focusing our resources behind fewer brands we can bring more innovation and technology to our customers in key areas, resulting in market-leading products that meet the needs of today’s farmers. In addition, fewer brands allow us to achieve greater brand impact and help our full-line dealers better support our valued customers. To this end, Challenger® and Massey Ferguson® will become our foundation brands within North America.
“Brands such as Hesston®, Sunflower®, Gleaner®, White™ Planters, SpraCoupe®, Fendt® and others offer unique customer benefits within the marketplace and are not going away. These will be leveraged via co-branding strategies as appropriate. Hesston by Massey Ferguson is one example.” The plan does include phasing out the AGCO® brand of equipment, including its line of orange tractors, which are expected to be marketed into 2011. As AGCO has demonstrated throughout its history, the company will continue to provide quality parts and service support well into the future.
Crain adds, “There have been questions in the marketplace about the future of the Gleaner brand, as it is so often linked to the orange tractors. AGCO is committed to the Gleaner brand moving forward. The innovative transverse technology in our silver combines sets us apart, and we anticipate market share growth in this segment. In fact, there are exciting new enhancements for Gleaner in the not-too-distant future.”
Strengthening dealer network
In today’s market environment it is costly to support multiple brands. A strong dealer network representing full-line brands is a key component of the AGCO strategy to increase market share in North America.
“We are committed to serving our customers through a quality dealer network that will support existing and future products, help us provide innovative customer service and deliver the new technologies resulting from AGCO’s expanded product development efforts,” explains Crain.
“We understand the heritage and tradition surrounding the AGCO tractor brand. To make certain we preserve our customers’ access to exceptional product support, we will work with all AGCO tractor dealers on an individual basis to seek the best ongoing solution in their market. Options may include them continuing as a dealer for Massey Ferguson products. We are confident all our customers will continue to receive the level of support they’ve come to expect throughout the years.”
AGCO continues to make strides on the company’s long-term brand strategy aimed at increasing market share in North America. The introduction of a new generation of high horsepower row crop tractors in 2009 was a significant step in this effort. For more information about AGCO, its products and services visit
www.AGCOcorp.com.
ABOUT AGCO
AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE: AGCO) was founded in 1990 and offers a full product line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment, implements, and related replacement parts. AGCO agricultural products are sold under the core brands of Challenger®, Fendt®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, and are distributed globally through more than 2,800 independent dealers and distributors, in more than 140 countries worldwide. AGCO provides retail financing through AGCO Finance. AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA. In 2008, AGCO had net sales of $8.4 billion. Please visit our website at www.AGCOcorp.com.
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AGCO® and Massey Ferguson® are worldwide brands and registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Challenger® is a registered trademark of Caterpillar, Inc. and is used under license by AGCO Corporation.
Edited by WTW 6/24/2010 20:44
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Valtra tractors
