Proud of its past, Landini eyes the future
The province of Emilia-Romagna in northern-central Italy has a reputation for producing the country’s best food. It is also known as Motor Valley - home to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati.
Another iconic motor technology brand calls Emilia-Romagna home – Landini Tractors, and it is marking a major milestone this year, celebrating its 140th birthday.
Landini’s story began in 1884, when Giovanni Landini established Officine Landini to manufacture wine-making machinery in the town of Fabbrico. In 1910 Landini introduced a stationary hot-bulb engine, and in 1925 it introduced its first tractor, making it a pioneer in agricultural mechanisation.
Today the main factory that produces Landini tractors is still in Fabbrico, complemented by several other factories in nearby towns.
While the Landini family no longer owns the company, it is part of another proud family-owned industrial group, Argo Tractors. The Morra family bought Landini in 1994 and McCormick tractors in 2000, who consolidated both brands under the umbrella of a new company, Argo Tractors after they shifted production of McCormick tractors from England and France to Fabbrico.
Argo Tractors designs, builds, and distributes Landini and McCormick tractors throughout the world. The Landini range extends from specialist vineyard, orchard, and vegetable tractors through to the high-horsepower 7 and 8 Series.
The numbers tell an impressive story. Argo Tractors have the capacity to produce 22,000 tractors a year. It has 2,000 employees and six manufacturing plants.
It is an export driven company with 130 importers around the world. Sales in Italy account for 15 percent of its earnings, while sales in the rest of Europe contribute 35 percent of the total. Another 16 percent of its turnover comes from the USA and 22 percent from Africa, thanks to its strong presence in the South African market.
Argo Tractors is proud of the fact that 65 percent in value of the components of their tractors is manufactured in-house, giving them control over quality, costs, and time to market.
Components that Landini builds itself include transmissions for all models up to 160 hp, gearbox housings, wheel hubs, axles, gears, and shafts. It also builds its own platforms and cabs in a dedicated facility at Fabbrico that can churn out 105 units per day.
Landini New Zealand is proud to be bringing a brand with such a formidable legacy into the New Zealand market.