AGRICULTURAL manufacturer, Horwood Bagshaw has been given a new lease on life, with the announcement of it’s acquisition by machinery giant CNH Industrial.
Australia’s oldest agricultural manufacturing brand has been on the market since 2014, with the primary reason given, the pending retirement of owner and managing director, Peter Sweeny.
Based in Mannum, SA, Horwood Bagshaw manufactures a well known range of air seeders and scaribars as well as a grader scraper.
CNH Industrial, Flexicoil brand leader, Steve Mulder said the purchase, finalised on Friday, integrated Horwood Bagshaw into the Flexicoil segment of CNH Industrial.
“It gives us a very strong Australian brand in the agricultural equipment business,” he said.
“In terms of fit with Flexicoil, it gives us a full product range now.”
Mr Mulder said there was currently no plan to change the staffing of Horwood Bagshaw.
“But in the longer term, we also have the potential to consolidate a FlexiCoil depot into Mannum,” he said.
“The initial plan is to grow the brand as it is.
“It is business as usual.”
Mr Mulder said the purchase was a win for both brands.
“We will be honouring the warranty under Horwood Bagshaw as it has been provided,” he said.
“We will continue to look after customers in the dealer network.”
“The purchase gives us the opportunity to build both the Horwood Bagshaw and Flexicoil brands.
Mr Mulder said the purchase had benefits beyond the product range.
“It also gives us some facility to do some local adaptation of the Flexicoil,” he said.
“It gives us a facility that can do assembly work as well.
“Also with the backing of CNH Industrial we can grow the Horwood Bagshaw brand and business.”
Mr Mulder said the company intended to maintain the Horwood Bagshaw brand.
“It is know for it’s reliability and it is an Australian made product, so it suits Australian conditions,” he said.
Mr Mulder said Horwood Bagshaw, previous owner and managing director, Peter Sweeeny was retiring from the company.
“That has been his goal all along,” he said.
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