SA Graan January 2019

SA Graan/Grain

visits tractor

manufacturer and international

show in Italy

A Graan/Grain

recently had the op-

portunity to visit Argo Tractors Italy

and the EIMA show in Bolagne, Italy.

The trip started with a visit to the Argo

Tractor factory in Fabbrico, Italy. It was

truly amazing to see this factory which pro-

duces 75% of all parts used in all Landini,

McCormick and Valpadana tractors. This

family owned company boasts five produc-

tion plants, eight business branches, 1 800

employees and has a production capacity

of 22 000 tractors per year. Notable is the

5,5% of the yearly turnover that is invested

in research and development.

In 2017 Argo Tractors had a 23% market

share in the South African market and they

plan to up this figure in coming years focus-

sing on the higher kilowatt class tractors.

More about EIMA

The 43rd edition of EIMA International, the

review of agricultural machinery organised

by FederUnacoma at the Bologna exhibition

centre, was hosted from 7 to 11 November

2018. The total number of visitors reached

317 000. This is an increase of 11% com-

pared to the previous one (2016), which had

already set a historical record for this event

which takes a leading role not only in the

agricultural machinery sector, but in the

general exhibition scene worldwide.

The number of foreign operators also in-

creased – more than 50 000 which is an

increase of 15% compared to the previous

show – from 150 countries, for an event that

saw the participation of 1 950 exhibiting in-

dustries and occupied a gross surface area

of 375 000 m

Argo Tractors at EIMA

Argo Tractors was one of the main attrac-

tions during this year’s EIMA show. A com-

plete range of McCormick, Landini and

Valpadana tractors could be seen. Visitors

could take a closer look at its cabins and

new technology advances amongst other

things.

A press conference was held on 7 November

with senior management focusing on prod-

uct development and marketing strategies,

Argo transformation, commercial strategy

and targets as well as investments on prod-

uct ranges, results and goals to name a few.

In the next couple of issues, we will take a

look at the prestigious award that Argo Trac-

tors received during EIMA 2018.

January 2019

RELEVANT

Product information

JURGEN VAN ONSELEN,

Kolbe Media

1: A staggering 317 000 visitors were recorded from 7 to 11 November at EIMA 2018. To put this into perspective,

NAMPO Harvest Day in South Africa had approximately 82 000 visitors in 2018.

2: What about a yellow McCormick? Unfortunately this is a Tier 4 tractor and not available in South Africa.

3: Franco Artoni (business development manager: Global marketing and parts, Argo Tractors, Italy), Callie Human (sales

manager, Argo Industrial, South Africa) and Someone Morra (director: corporate business, Argo Tractors, Italy). Behind

them is the McCormick tractor that was part of the XTractor tour that started from Cape Town in April last year after

successfully tackling Australia. The established X7 and high kilowatt X8 McCormick tractors were used for this tour.

4: A typical scene – people walking from one exhibition to the next. Everything is under cover at this show.

5: The Argo Tractors factory in Fabbrico Italy.