Kubota & Buhler Hook Up On Big Tractors

In a year already full of interesting and intriguing deals and changes, Japan’s Kubota Corp. announced it will utilize the development and production capabilities of Russian-owned, Canada-based, Buhler Industries Inc. for a new series of larger output tractors.

Kubota has long been thought to be interested in the higher horsepower North America agricultural tractor market. This has spawned speculation that Kubota Tractor Corp., Grapevine, Tex., would buy someone or seek a joint venture or merger. Kubota Tractor is the U.S. marketer and distributor of Kubota Corp. engineered and manufactured machinery and equipment.

Meanwhile, Buhler Industries Inc. is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In 2007, Combine Factory Rostselmash Ltd, a combine manufacturer in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, acquired 80% of the common shares of Buhler Industries.

Established in 1932, the original company was purchased by John Buhler in 1969. Over the years, a number of agricultural equipment brands have joined Buhler Industries including Farm King, Allied, Inland and Versatile.

Today, Buhler Industries operates manufacturing plants in Winnipeg, Morden, Manitoba, Willmar, Minn. and Fargo, ND, building tractors, front-end loaders, augers, compact implements and more.

According to Kubota’s announcement, “Buhler has a proven track record for designing, manufacturing, and distributing large tractors in North America. Kubota has chosen to take this direction with a view toward improving development lead time and optimizing product specifications to meet local requirements.”

This new agreement enables Kubota to add tractors in a horsepower range greater than that of its currently largest 170 hp models to accelerate its large tractor business in the North American market. The tractors will be built in Buhler’s Winnipeg facility.

“These new large tractors have been customized exclusively for Kubota through the company’s engineering expertise for ease of operation and functional design,” Kubota said. The tractors will be launched in the United States and Canada in the second half of 2019.