AGCO offers a full product line including tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment and implements through more than 8,500 independent dealers and distributors around the world. AGCO provides retail financing worldwide through its Agricredit joint venture. 

AGCO Corporation has its roots in the North American farm equipment industry with its heritage reaching as far back as the mid 1800's through many of its brands. However, its direct lineage is from the Allis-Chalmers brand name. In 1990 KHD sold its Deutz Allis division to AGCO. Since that time, AGCO has become a world-wide farm machinery company through market growth and strategic acquisitions. Today with sales of approximately $2.9 billion, AGCO is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AG.

1990 AGCO, formed with the purchase of Deutz Allis, began manufacturing and distributing farm equipment under the AGCO Allis and GLEANER brand names.

1991 AGCO purchased Hesston Corporation and the tractor division of White-New Idea.

1992 AGCO purchased the North American distribution rights to the SAME brand specialty tractors.

1993 AGCO purchased the distribution rights to Massey Ferguson products and 50% of Agricredit Acceptance Corporation. To broaden the product offering, AGCO acquired the remaining portion of White-New Idea.

1994 AGCO purchased the worldwide holdings of Massey Ferguson, ensuring AGCO's global status, and the remaining 50% of Agricredit Acceptance Corporation. In the same year, AGCO purchased McConnell tractors leading to the development of the AGCOSTARâ articulated tractor line and Black Machine giving AGCO a unique planter frame.

1995 AGCO acquired the distribution rights to Landini tractors for all of North America and purchased the Ag Equipment Group, makers of Glencoe, Tye, and Farmhand equipment.

1996 AGCO acquired the Iochpe-Maxion agricultural equipment company in Brazil and Western Combine Corporation and Portage Manufacturing, Inc. in Canada. These acquisitions strengthened AGCO's global position. Also in 1996, AGCO added Rabobank Nederland as its joint-venture partner in AGRICREDIT, AGCO's finance subsidiary in North America.

1997 Deutz Argentina, S.A. and Fendt, Germany's top tractor brand, were acquired to extend AGCO's international markets.

1998 AGCO completes joint venture with Deutz AG to produce engines in Argentina. Also in 1998 AGCO purchased SPRA-COUPE and Willmar, leading brands in the agricultural sprayer market.

1999 AGCO announces the creation of AGCO Finance, a new and dedicated financing organization. Formed in association with De Lage Landen (DLL), a subsidiary of Rabobank, AGCO Finance's primary goal is to strengthen and enhance AGCO's North American wholesale and retail finance activities.  

2000 AGCO completes purchase of Hay and Forage Industries in Hesston, Kansas, solidifying its planned strategy to achieve efficient manufacturing rationalization by consolidating major operations in North America.  

2001 AGCO acquires Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of specialized off-road heavy equipment for agricultural and industrial application, giving AGCO the leading position in the self-propelled sprayer market.  

2002 AGCO acquires Caterpillar Inc.'s agricultural equipment business, primarily the design, assembly and marketing of their Challenger track tractors.

In late 2002, AGCO acquired the assets of Sunflower Manufacturing Company Inc., a leading producer of tillage, seeding and specialty harvesting equipment. Sunflower, with its significant reputation in the North American market, is anticipated that the product line technology can be expanded for use on the Challenger track tractor high horsepower products.

The Future Today

AGCO's internal product development capabilities, along with acquired technologies, are the most advanced in the world. This global perspective makes us the one manufacturer that can truly meet every farmer's equipment needs. In the development stage, components are designed using the latest in electronic drafting equipment. The computers construct models that reflect true working environments and test components before the prototypes are built. Many components sourced from outside suppliers used advanced design techniques as well. Many components used in AGCO products are engineered with sophisticated design systems such as laser doppler anemometry and computer modeling. These advanced techniques significantly improve product performance and reliability. Fendt, which was acquired in 1997, is widely accepted as having the world's most advanced tractor technology, according to Robert Ratliff, Chairman of the Board of AGCO Corporation.

Leading The Way

Many of AGCO's higher horsepower tractors have micro-processor based electronic systems that govern, monitor and control many tractor functions such as transmission shifts, front-wheel assist, differential lock, three-point hitch, PTO and the hydraulic system. An advanced frame design on the large horsepower tractors gives them a tighter turning radius.
These systems use sensors, electronic logic and solenoids that allow the tractor to think for itself, increasing efficiency, productivity, reliability, and operator convenience. AGCO's high horsepower powershift transmissions employ a technologically advanced electronic system that measures or senses the load on the tractor at the time of shift, and adjusts the modulation and timing accordingly. This improves shifting quality, prolongs drivetrain life, increases operator comfort, and boosts productivity.
With the 1997 acquisition of Fendt, AGCO adds several industry-leading technologies. Vario is the new stepless transmission technology receiving rave reviews from Engineers, Farmers and Journalists in Germany. Vario is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that provides efficiency at or above full powershift tractors and ranges in speed from 20 metres per hour to 50 km/h. It also eliminates the need for creeper gears. Simply put, Vario allows you to match ground speeds to any type of work. The front axle suspension system is a new technology you'll be hearing a lot about in the future.

AGCO has pioneered the science of agriculture with Precision Farming. In fact, a Precision Farming system has been available to users of Massey Ferguson combines in Europe since 1991, long before the competition began experimenting with look-alike systems. AGCO's newest breakthrough in precision farming is FIELDSTAR, a state-of-the-art system that uses satellite technology to give Australian farmers the most accurate data available to boost their productivity. FIELDSTAR works this way: Using a satellite link mounted on the combine, the satellite can pinpoint the combine's position to within 10 feet. This positioning data is merged with yield data taken from a sensor on the combine. With this information, yield maps are created. Yield maps assist the farmer in making decisions about tillage practices, seeding rates, fertility and chemical application rates making the farmer more productive and more profitable. FIELDSTAR is available on both GLEANERâ and Massey Ferguson combines in Australia.

Worldwide Locations

AGCO has facilities around the globe, including:

Sunshine,Victoria Australia
Coventry, England
Beauvais and Ennery, France
Baumenheim, Kempten and Marktoberdorf, Germany
Queretaro, Mexico
Canoas and Santa Rosa, Brazil
Haedo, Noetinger and San Luis, Argentina
Duluth, Georgia
Batavia, Illinois
Hesston, Kansas
Independence, Missouri
Coldwater, Ohio
Lockney, Texas
Willmar, Minnesota