Valtra has completed a $38m high technology investment project at its Suolhti tractor plant in Finland. The final phase of the project was a new transmission facility, which now allows the manufacturer to build its own continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) in-house. The investment brings with it thousands of square meters of new production space. Earlier phases of the $38m investment project included a new 2,000m2 paint shop and alterations to assembly lines to accommodate the larger Q and S Series tractors.
Valtra has completed a $38m high technology investment project at its Suolhti tractor plant in Finland. The final phase of the project was a new transmission facility, which now allows the manufacturer to build its own continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) in-house.
The investment brings with it thousands of square meters of new production space. Earlier phases of the $38m investment project included a new 2,000m2 paint shop and alterations to assembly lines to accommodate the larger Q and S Series tractors.
Until now, the CVTs (ML260) for Valtra’s Q (230-305hp) and S (280-420hp) Series tractors were sourced from AGCO’s Fendt facility in Marktoberdorf, Germany.
However, the Finnish factory currently manufacturers transmissions for N and T Series tractors, as well as the South American market and components for other AGCO production facilities.
According to AGCO, the increased production capacity for AGCO CVTs will help meet the growing demand for Valtra and other sister AGCO brands.
The introduction of the new Valtra Q and S Series gearbox test bench facilitates the production of higher-performance tractors, which continue to grow in demand.
“This investment will allow us to double our transmission capacity and bring new expertise to the Valtra lineup of tractors,” says Kullervo Mansikkala, transmission plant manager.
“It will also create new jobs in Suolahti. We are improving the safety and working environment for our team through increased automation and precision machining, which will provide a cleaner and quieter workplace.”
Ultimately, the initiative contributes to Valtra’s goal of increasing European production and brand market share within the European tractor market.
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