ARGO SpA: An Italian Agricultural Machinery Holding Company

ARGO SpA is an Italian holding company specializing in the manufacturing of agricultural machinery. Founded in 1980 by Valerio Morra, ARGO SpA is a family-owned enterprise headquartered in Fabbrico, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The company’s primary focus is on the production of tractors and combine harvesters.

History of ARGO SpA

• 1980: Valerio Morra establishes ARGO SpA with the acquisition of MBS Spa.
• 1987: ARGO SpA expands its portfolio by acquiring Pegoraro Spa, a company based in Vicenza.
• 1989: Sixty-six percent of Landini, a tractor manufacturer, is purchased from Massey Ferguson. This acquisition marked a significant step in ARGO’s growth.
• 1994: ARGO increases its ownership stake in Landini with additional share purchases.
• 1995: The company further diversifies its tractor business by acquiring Valpadana Spa.
• 2000: ARGO SpA extends its reach in the agricultural machinery sector by acquiring S.E.P. Spa and Laverda from CNH Global. S.E.P. specializes in manufacturing small, specialty tractors and equipment, while Laverda focuses on producing combines and hay equipment.
• 2001: ARGO continues its expansion with the purchase of the McCormick name and a tractor factory located in Doncaster, England. This move comes after the merger of Case IH and Fiat’s New Holland Ag into CNH Global. Regulatory requirements associated with the merger necessitated the sale of certain factories, including Laverda from Fiat and McCormick Tractors International from Case IH.
• 2007: ARGO SpA sells 50% of Laverda to AGCO, a prominent agricultural equipment manufacturer.
• Late 2010/Early 2011: AGCO acquires the remaining 50% of Laverda, leading to AGCO’s ownership of Fella-Werke as well.

Brands Under ARGO SpA

ARGO SpA is associated with several renowned brands in the agricultural machinery sector, which include:

• Landini: Known for its quality tractors, Landini is a prominent brand in the ARGO SpA portfolio.
• Laverda: Laverda specializes in the production of combines and hay equipment, contributing to the diverse range of agricultural machinery offered by ARGO.
• McCormick: The acquisition of the McCormick name and tractor factory in Doncaster added this brand to ARGO’s lineup.
• Valpadana: Valpadana is another tractor manufacturer under the ARGO umbrella, expanding the company’s presence in the agricultural sector.
• S.E.P.: S.E.P. Spa focuses on the production of small, specialty tractors and equipment.
• Pegoraro: Pegoraro Spa is part of ARGO’s brand portfolio, contributing to the company’s offerings in the agricultural machinery market.

ARGO SpA’s commitment to diversification and strategic acquisitions has solidified its position in the agricultural machinery industry, allowing it to provide a wide range of solutions to meet the needs of farmers worldwide.