Argo Tractors has further strengthened its worldwide presence over the last two years, with significant new developments in many countries where our brands are historically well established. We inaugurated the new offices of 2 well-established European subsidiaries, in Spain and France, while new managers were appointed at the helm of 4 subsidiaries: in England, France, South Africa and Germany.
These are just a few steps that are part of a broader plan to strengthen our commitment to supporting our customers in countries where Landini, McCormick and Valpadana tractors are well known and appreciated.
New locations for AgriArgo Iberica and Argo France
The first of these new developments was the inauguration of the new offices of AgriArgo Iberica, our Spanish subsidiary, that moved to Villamarciel (Valladolid) in September 2017.
The new location offers more space: the roofed area is 2,312 sq. m and includes classrooms for theoretical training and laboratories for practical training, as well as offices and showrooms with a permanent display of the tractor range.
The total surface area amounts to 6 hectares and includes a tarmac circuit with grandstands in the outdoor area and a test field to host demo events and have guests appreciate the performance of the tractors.
This way, new services can be introduced and offering can be expanded for distributors and customers, thanks to events that enable guests to see the tractors working in the field up close.
It is also thanks to these new facilities that between July and August 2019 the location was chosen as the venue of XCamp2019, the event dedicated to intensive training for dealers and importers from all over Europe.
Two years later, in October 2019, Argo France also inaugurated its new offices in Vaulx-Milieu, south-east of Lyon. Again, the key goal is to get closer to customers in order to respond to their needs in real time. This is why a state-of-the-art operational site was set up, where not only Landini and McCormick tractors are available, but also services and equipment to help customers work under the best possible conditions.
Outstanding professionals at the helm of Argo Tractors foreign subsidiaries
In the meantime, four new subsidiary managers were appointed. The first was Jean-Luc Fernandez, who was appointed new General Manager of Argo France in August 2018. The French manager has over two decades’ experience in leading positions in various industrial groups, for the most part in the field of agricultural mechanisation. He proved his commitment as he developed new subsidiaries, and created, implemented and organised dealer and importer networks.
A few months after this appointment, the new director of AgriArgo UK Ltd, the Argo Tractors distributor for the UK and Ireland, was chosen. This is Adrian Winnett, a manager with proven experience in the agricultural equipment industry. He started his career with the Landini brand, as his family were Landini dealers in Northamptonshire. Adrian Winnett went on to earn seven years’ experience as UK Sales Director for the Italian brand and currently also serves as President of AEA, the association of manufacturers and Importers of agricultural machinery and equipment in the UK.
The new director takes over from Ray Spinks, who leaves office after working in the field of agricultural mechanisation for 40 years.
New appointments were made also outside European borders: in November 2019, Godfried Heydenrych became the new director of Argo Industrial, the Argo Tractors subsidiary in South Africa. Thanks to his long-standing experience in the industry, Heydenrych was able to take over from Mike Terblanche, who retired after a successful career: during 25 years, he managed to consolidate the market shares of the Landini and McCormick brands in the South African market, achieving results that exceeded all expectations.
Presently, the group, which is based in Boksburg, near Johannesburg, relies on a network of more than 60 dealers throughout the country, as well as some dealers in Zimbabwe and one in Zambia. Godfried Heydenrych’s goals include achieving growth for all ranges, with a focus on high horsepower tractors and digital innovations.
After all, the X7 P6-Drive and VT-Drive product families and the X8 VT-Drive made a name for themselves during the adventurous Xtractor expedition that crossed the country in 2018, along a route of over 8,000 kilometres, bringing a message of solidarity, performance and sustainability.
The latest appointment occurred in January 2020: Günter Ordnung took the helm of Argo GmbH, our subsidiary for the German and Austrian markets. With 35 years’ experience in the field of agricultural mechanisation and in-depth knowledge of dealers and farmers, Günter Ordnung is faced with the major task of strengthening the existing network and finding new dealers for areas that are not covered yet.
McCormick and Landini tractors are renowned in Germany and Austria as high-power machines for open-field cultivation and as specialty tractors for orchards, vineyards, hop cultivation and special applications, respectively. Both brands offer excellent solutions for farmers, contractors, public bodies and forest agencies.
Argo Tractors is present worldwide with 9 commercial subsidiaries and 130 foreign importers, learn more: