AGCO Corp., a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment,has purchased the privately owned Industria Agricola Fortaleza Limitada, a Brazilian provider of farm implements. Based in Ibirubá, Brazil, SFIL manufactures and distributes a line of farm implements including drills, planters, corn headers and front loaders. SFIL’s 2007 sales are estimated to be approximately US$35 million.
“AGCO’s technology driven tractors and combines have built strong market positions in the South American marketplace due in large part to our superior dealer network,” said Martin Richenhagen, chairman, president and CEO of AGCO. “The SFIL family of products complements our market leading tractor and combine business and provides another step towards expanding our product offering for our South American dealers and their customers.”
Founded in 1967, SFIL’s expertise regarding local soil conditions and local planter requirements has earned their products a reputation for quality and innovation.
“The addition of this line of implements will allow us to leverage the strength of our brands and our robust dealer networks to further grow our business in the South American region,” explained André M. Carioba, Senior Vice President and General Manager AGCO South America. “AGCO is committed to growth and the purchase of SFIL will better position us in the competitive marketplace.”
AGCO manufactures farm equipment in three Brazilian factories for the South American market. Combines are produced in Santa Rosa (State of Rio Grande do Sul) and tractors are produced in factories located in Mogi das Cruzes (State of São Paulo) and Canoas (State of Rio Grande do Sul). AGCO generates approximately 15 percent of its sales in South America.
