A joint venture for the production of Landini agricultural tractors in Turkey has been agreed by ARGO Tractors of Italy and Anadolu Motor – the country’s Landini distributor.
The agreement will establish a joint venture for the production of tractors at Sekerpinar, near Istanbul, with specific features for the Turkish market and for non-emissions regulated markets outside Europe.
This “strategic cooperation” apparently results from the commercial relationship that ARGO Tractors started four years ago with Anadolu, which Valerio Morra – president of ARGO Tractors SpA – says is recognised as “one of the most important and well-known industrial groups in Turkey”.
He explained: “The joint venture will build the position of Landini tractors in Turkey through a facility devoted to the production of models focused on non-emissionised markets, where agricultural mechanisation is developing rapidly and requires up-to-date products.”
Anadolu Motor is a company of the multi-national Anadolu Group, which has diverse industrial interests. It operates in 19 countries with 80 companies, 61 production plants and more than 50,000 employees.
The Landini tractor production plant, which involves investments exceeding €10 million, will start operating in spring 2018. It will employ ‘Lean Production’ strategies, following the trend set at other ARGO tractor plants.
It will aim to build more than 6,000 tractors a year, with a product range initially involving tractors from 50hp to 75hp, but extending up to 110hp within 24 months of activity.
Bora Kocak, president of Anadolu’s Automotive Group, said: “We believe we have analysed the Turkish market’s needs and developed the right cooperation with ARGO Tractors. We will therefore start producing tractors with the famous Landini brand, yielding great benefits to our economy and farmers.”
Turkish tractor developments
In other recent tractor news with a Turkish twist, Indian manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) signed a deal with Turkish-based tractor maker Erkunt (which includes the ArmaTrac brand) to acquire the latter.
Also Read: World tractor news: Indian giant to take over growing Turkish brandUnder the deal, Erkunt will become part of the wider M&M business.
Along with units destined for Turkey, Erkunt manufactures a range of tractors for export – from around 55hp up to 110hp – under the ArmaTrac brand-name.
ArmaTrac tractors are starting to pop up here in Ireland in increasing numbers; Irish importer Brogan Tractor Sales – based in Cloghan, Co. Offaly – had a significant presence at the recent National Ploughing Championships, for example.
