AGCO just announced plans to invest more than $40 million in its Hesston, KS, manufacturing facility to help position the company as a global leader in hay and harvesting equipment. The major remodeling effort will be completed in 2013.

The construction plans call for remodeling the plant’s paint and finishing facilities that date to the early 1970s. AGCO will use state-of-the-art paint and finishing processes that ensure a consistent and durable finish and reduce the chance of corrosion. The technologies will be used across the full offering of large square and round balers, small square balers, combines, grain headers, pull-type and self-propelled mower conditioners, windrower tractors and planters manufactured at the Hesston plant.

The new paint and finishing processes also will provide a better work environment for employees, according to Bob Crain, senior vice president, AGCO North America. “And in an era of outsourcing, it also is an investment that helps us keep jobs in the Heartland of America with highly productive employees who have a deep agricultural heritage and strong work ethic.”

The Hesston plant has been building farm equipment since 1947 and today employs nearly 1,200 people. It is the North American manufacturing headquarters for Gleaner, Massey Ferguson and Challenger combines and Hesston by Massey Ferguson as well as Challenger haying equipment.

For more information, visit www.agcocorp.com.