Jackson expansion creates new jobs

DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 11, 2012-- AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE: AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, welcomed US Senator Franken and Minnesota Representative Walz at the AGCO manufacturing site in Jackson, Minnesota. Both toured the plant last week to see the new assembly line working and to learn about the progress of the Jackson site expansion. “We have made substantial investments in our North American manufacturing sites to reinforce our commitment to customers and dealers,” said Martin Richenhagen, AGCO Chairman, President and CEO. “The Jackson expansion is moving forward quickly, the production of the first high-horsepower row crop tractors has started and soon we will have a brand new visitor center that will attract an estimated 10,000 visitors per year.”

The 75,000 square feet expansion of the Jackson facility includes a 16,000-square-foot extension of the current assembly line and incorporation of 42,000-square-foot kitting center – an advanced system to deliver parts and material to the assembly line – which produces Massey Ferguson® and Challenger® high-horsepower wheeled row crop tractors. In addition, the expansion includes a 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art visitor center called Intivity Center. The assembly building and warehouse expansion were completed in October 2011. Pre-production started in December 2011, with the first customer unit rolling off the line on January 4th, 2012. The Intivity Center will be open for visitors in mid June 2012.

The expansion of the Jackson site is part of a larger effort to increase AGCO's North American operating results. “The production of high-horsepower row crop tractors in Jackson allows us to be more responsive to market demands and customer needs,” said Robert B. Crain, Senior Vice President and General Manager AGCO North America. “We are very serious about the North American market and intend to further grow our business.” AGCO sees continued strong demand in the high-horsepower tractor market sector driven by healthy economics for the professional farmer.

Products manufactured at the Jackson, Minnesota production facility include Challenger MT700C and MT800C track tractors as well as Challenger MT900C articulated 4-wheel-drive tractors; TerraGator® high-flotation applicators; RoGator® high-clearance applicators; SpraCoupe® high-clearance self-propelled row crop sprayers; Massey Ferguson 8600 Series and Challenger MT600D high-horsepower wheeled row crop tractors.

AGCO is Jackson’s largest employer with approximately 1,050 professional, support and skilled manufacturing positions. Since the start of the expansion, AGCO has added about 200 jobs. In addition, there have been a number of contract and temporary positions. The expansion of the site and the opening of the Intivity Center are also expected to have a favorable impact on the local Jackson County economy.

For more information, visit http://jackson.agcocorp.com

ABOUT AGCO

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE: AGCO), is a global leader focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery. AGCO supports more productive farming through a full line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment, tillage, implements, grain storage and protein production systems, as well as related replacement parts. AGCO products are sold through four core machinery brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra® and are distributed globally through 3,100 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries worldwide. Retail financing is available through AGCO Finance for qualified purchasers. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2011, AGCO had net sales of $8.8 billion. http://www.AGCOcorp.com

Source: AGCO

AGCO
Rebecca Fabian, +1-646-415-8518
rf@stockheim-media.com