AGCO, a agricultural machinery firm, has allocated R$ 60 million for the modernisation and application of new technologies at the company’s plant in Santa Rosa (RS), Brazil, which is responsible for the production of harvesters, combines and headers of Massey Ferguson, Valtra and Challenger brands.
The investment plan began in 2016 and integrates the company’s strategy of preparing the plant for the launch of products with high on-board technology.
Among the improvements made in the plant is Dyno, a new system that simulates the quality level of combines in operation in the field, before they are delivered to the farmer.
The modernisation of the whole assembly line can be seen, for example, through the automation systems of welding, a new area of painting with industrial equipment based on nanotechnology, as well as technological procedures for quality measurement.
“AGCO’s strategy is to make the plant a centre of excellence, with an increasingly intelligent and robust operation that is suitable to receive the production of machines with high technology incorporated,” says Denis Dutra de Oliveira, Director of Operations at AGCO.
“Increasing the productivity level of the plant is another goal to be achieved with these investments. Our expectation for the next two years is to increase factory production by 100%.”
To implement industry 4.0, AGCO quadrupled the training time to employees. Called “Learn Factory,” the initiative aims to increase the knowledge of professionals in the technological and electronic field through workshops and the help of a platform with a virtual simulator, so that employees are more familiar with digital interfaces.
The Santa Rosa plant is responsible for manufacturing all Massey Ferguson and Valtra harvesters, combines and headers. This year, the two brands launched the 45-foot draper header.
At Massey Ferguson, the new 9255 Dynaflex is ideal for the axial model MF 9895, class 8. For Valtra, the 645FD header was designed exclusively to equip the BC8800 combine.
