Interview with Mr. Martin Richenhagen, Chairman, President and CEO of AGCO ›› Agricultural Machinery Engineering Ca n Learn From the Automotive Sector ‹‹ AGCO, based in Duluth (Georgia), USA, is the world’s third-largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment. Being a leading global company, AGCO offers a broad variety of products, which are distributed through more than 3,100 dealers in more than 140 countries. Focus spoke to Martin Richenhagen, President and CEO of AGCO, about developments in drive engineering, the role of alternative fuels and new challenges in the growth markets. 5 F o c u s Photos: AGCO ‹F›: Mr. Richenhagen, AGCO is a globally active manufacturer of agricultural equipment with sales of around 10 billion dollars. Please tell us what kind of equipment your business activities focus upon most. ‹Richenhagen›: In 2012 sales will even be reaching 10.5 billion dollars, making it yet another record year. AGCO’s main focus is on wheeled tractors, and we’re additionally expanding our range of harvesting equipment rapidly. ‹F›: What is your view of longterm trends in the tractor markets in Western nations and the BRIC states? Do you think there will be a market shift in one way or another, and how will AGCO respond to it? ‹Richenhagen›: AGCO assumes very stable markets with global growth. China, Eastern and Central Europe and Africa have a lot of catching up to do. AGCO is responding to this fact by investing in three factories in China, and is the first manufacturer in our industry to have a manufacturing site in Africa. ‹F›: Does the reduction of consumption, and thus carbon emissions, play a similarly big role in the agricultural industry as it does with passenger cars and trucks? ‹Richenhagen›: Of course it does, however with a slight delay, which has the positive effect of giving agricultural equipment technology a chance to learn from the technical solutions available in the automotive sector. ‹F›: Do you already have special low-emission engines or filter systems for diesel engines? ‹Richenhagen›: Yes, we do. Where this is concerned, AGCO Power, our diesel engine line, is completely state of the art. ‹F›: AGCO Corporation joined the Diesel Technology Forum in March 2012. What role do you think bio fuels will have as a fuel for agricultural machinery in the future? ‹Richenhagen›: We regard this as a very interesting prospect, and farmers, being the producers of re-
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