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Case IH lineup offers plenty of reasons to celebrateBy Larry Dreiling This fall's farm shows prove Case IH has plenty to celebrate. There are two milestones among the tractor family for Case IH fans to enjoy, and a High Plains city will see an expansion of a facility owned by CNH Global, Case IH 's parent firm. In tractors, this year marks the 50th anniversary of four-wheel-drive Case IH Steiger tractors, while the Case IH Magnum tractor line celebrates 20 years since its introduction. A yearlong celebration of the two anniversaries will stretch throughout the 2008 model year--incorporating new product releases and commemorative events to recognize the contributions of these great tractor brands. "The Magnum was the first all-new tractor we rolled out after the birth of Case IH . Its innovative design set the tone for the whole company," said Randy Wood, senior marketing director for Case IH . "And Steiger tractors are simply unmatched anywhere in the industry. When Douglas and Maurice Steiger decided the world needed a more powerful tractor, they went ahead and built it. That level of customer focus still drives us today at Case IH ." In a move designed to excite both dealers and customers, Case IH is unveiling eye-catching "Gold Signature Edition" Steiger and Magnum tractors at the fall shows. Sporting a distinctive and contemporary gold and red paint scheme, these limited edition tractors will carry commemorative decals, each personally signed by Randy Baker, president of Case IH . "In the late 60s and 70s, International Harvester created special Gold Demonstrator tractors to create visibility in the market," says Wood. "With these new Gold Signature Edition models, we tip our hats to our International Harvester heritage and create excitement for these important anniversaries." Production of the distinctive tractors will be limited to 100 Gold Signature Magnum 305 tractors and 50 Gold Signature Edition Steiger 535 tractors, to be allocated to the top selling dealers of the two model lines. The saga of Steiger goes back to the Steiger family farm in Red Lake Falls, Minn. John Steiger and his sons Douglas and Maurice decided the best way to meet the need for a more powerful tractor was to build one. They were so successful that neighbors began asking for their own. The Steigers produced the first five models in their family barn. Demand soon outstripped the available capacity, and production moved to Fargo, N.D. Among the Steiger models introduced over the years is the Steiger Quadtrac. An STX500 model broke the plowing world record in March 2005, plowing 793 acres in just 24 hours. The 2008 model year also marks the 10th anniversary for the Quadtrac. Case IH was a new nameplate when the first Magnum Series tractors rolled off the line in 1988, with the brand created after the merger of Case and International Harvester. The Magnum models were launched as the most powerful and productive row-crop tractors in history. The Magnum line also introduced the red paint that has become a signature of the Case IH brand of today. Another big announcement, this time at Husker Harvest Days at Grand Island, Neb., was that the local CNH Global plant, where Case IH Axial-Flow combines are manufactured, will soon produce the next generation of Case IH windrowers, along with headers for the windrowers. "The Grand Island plant is already known as the Case IH Center of Excellence for grain harvesting. This expanded production capability will allow the plant to more effectively meet growers' needs for productive, reliable hay harvesting equipment," said Steve Lee, plant manager at the Grand Island facility. "The plant is strategically located, adjacent to some of the largest hay growing areas in North America, and utilizes the latest manufacturing technologies." A recently completed building expansion project added 104,800 square feet to the facility to accommodate windrower and header production. Lee says the company already has added more than 60 employees for the windrower production; another 25 to 30 employees will be coming onboard soon for header manufacturing. After training, the new workforce will produce the new Case IH WD 3 Series windrowers, as well as a full line of sickle and disc headers. 10/8/07 Date: 10/2/07
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