The brand-new MF Technology Centre at the Beauvais factory in Picardy, Northern France now welcomes visitors to a fantastic new $1 million, purpose-built visitor reception area.
“We are expecting the number of visitors to Beauvais to increase to nearly 20,000 this year,” reports Laurent Pernin, MF General Marketing Manager – mid and high hp tractors. “We are eager for customers to come and see for themselves exactly how and where MF tractors are made. There’s a great deal to see and experience. It makes for a very good trip indeed – interesting, informative and entertaining.”
On arrival, visitors are shown to the new MF Technology Centre. This light and airy, ultra-modern building boasts a large showroom and 140-seat auditorium. Here you can see landmarks in Massey Ferguson’s development, illustrating their contribution to the innovation and advancement of technology in the farm machinery industry.
Among the machines on display are three first-off-the-production-line tractors – a Ferguson Brown A (1936) a Ferguson TE20 (1946) and MF 35 (1956). All have the
serial numbers 001. Other heritage tractors include an MF 65, MF 3080 Datatronic, MF 168, and Sue II – one of the TE20 tractors that completed Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic Antarctic expedition. Bringing things right up-to-date, currently on show, is an MF 6480. In order that it can be driven and demonstrated inside the Technology Centre, this has been modified to be electrically-powered.
Next on the visitors’ itinerary is the factory tour. You can’t fail to be impressed by the sheer scale and complexity of the production process. It’s a tremendous feat of logistics and synchronisation, and an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Beauvais is the largest producer of farm machinery in France and the country’s biggest exporter of agricultural equipment. The factory builds 75 different tractor models (75-315hp) in the MF 5400, MF 6400, MF 7400 and MF 8400 Series ranges. A new machine leaves the assembly line every five minutes.
Led by red-coated factory guides, a full tour lasts two and a half hours and takes in the machining areas, heat treatment, gearbox/rear axle assembly, cab and chassis assembly, final assembly and quality control. “With the big choice of options and specifications available to today’s farmers, virtually every tractor that moves along the assembly lines is different to the one in front,” says Yoann Marchand, Visitors Experience Manager. “More than 3,500 parts, components and sub-assemblies – ranging from the smallest washer to a complete engine and cab – are stocked to feed the constantly moving assembly lines.”
After the tour, visitors return to the Technology Centre and the auditorium where they are treated to a 15-minute video showing highlights of the factory tour. Each visitor is given a presentation booklet plus DVDs of the factory showreel and the MF tractor range before getting the chance to visit the MF shop.
ENDS
About AGCO
Founded in 1990, AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AG) (www.agcocorp.com) is a global manufacturer of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts. AGCO offers a full product line including tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment and implements, which are distributed through more than 3,000 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries worldwide. AGCO products include the following well-known brands: AGCO®, Challenger®, Fendt®, Gleaner®, Hesston®, Massey Ferguson®, RoGator®, Spra-Coupe®, Sunflower®, Terra-Gator®, Valtra®, and White™ Planters. AGCO provides retail financing through AGCO Finance. The company is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, and in 2007 had net sales of $6.8 billion.
CONTACT:
Paul Lay
Manager, Public Relations & Communications
Tel: +44 (0)2476 851209
