The US agricultural group AGCO (Allis-Gleaner Corporation) has sold a large part of its grain and protein business (Grain & Protein), which also includes the Stockerau-based company Cimbria Heid, to the industrial investor American Industrial Partners (AIP). This was reported by the Lower Austrian Economic Press Service.
The sold sector, with the brands GSI, Automated Production (AP), Cumberland, Cimbria and Tecno, includes a wide range of agricultural technology products. These include grain silos, grain dryers, grain transport systems and various systems for animal husbandry such as feeding and watering systems and climate controls for stables. The sales price is 700 million US dollars, the equivalent of 644 million euros.
Focus now on precise agricultural technology
“With the sale of Grain & Protein, we can focus more on precision farming in the future,” says AGCO CEO Eric Hansotia. Precision farming is about using sensors, satellite technology, machines and data analysis to manage agricultural land efficiently and in a location-appropriate manner. The goals of precision farming are to increase yields, reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers and thus protect the environment.
Eric Hansotia has high praise for the new owner: “AIP has extensive experience in the industrial sector and a lot of expertise, which we believe will unlock new potential for the Grain & Protein business. We believe that the AGCO brands will continue to be market leaders in grain, seed and protein production equipment and will continue to be well positioned to serve farmers.”
About the three companies
Allis-Gleaner Corporation (AGCO) is an American industrial group headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, and the world’s third-largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery, primarily tractors and combine harvesters. Well-known brands include Fella, Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Valtra and Challenger. In the first half of 2024, AGCO generated sales of around 6.2 billion US dollars.
American Industrial Partners (AIP) is a New York City-based private equity firm with approximately $16 billion in assets under management. AIP focuses on industrial companies in a broad range of end markets, including aerospace, defense, automotive, building products, capital goods, chemicals, industrial services, industrial technology, logistics, metals, mining and transportation.
Cimbria Heath is one of the oldest European producers of agricultural technology products. The company supplies all machines for drying, cleaning, sorting, dressing and packaging grain products, seeds, pulses, peanuts, green coffee and rice. Its own research and development department works with specialists worldwide so that the latest scientific findings can be taken into account in the processing of grain and grain products.
