posted on February 23, 2009 03:09
DULUTH, Ga. (February 20, 2009) -- Grain producers now have an efficient, affordable alternative to purchasing combines. Two of the most trusted names in agricultural equipment, AGCO Corporation and Cat dealers have teamed up to form Harvest Solutions to offer customers the option to rent combines.
The new combine rental company features the proven AGCO equipment and the industry-leading service of select Caterpillar dealers. Exclusively HOLT CAT will service the Texas market from the Red River Valley to the Rio Grande.
The development of this new business supports AGCOs strategic initiative to become a dominant player in the North American agricultural machinery marketplace while constantly improving in all facets of its business.
Because of significant increases in the cost of fuel and crop inputs, Harvest Solutions is a cost effective solution for Texas grain growers.
"The demand for Harvest Solutions is the result of the increasing costs of production, tighter margins for producers and demand for greater efficiencies throughout agriculture, says Doug Griffin, AGCOs Vice President, North America Marketing. Griffin continues, We are excited about the partnership with HOLT CAT and their efforts to support and promote this program.
Renting a combine from Harvest Solutions may fit a certain segment of the market and is more affordable than buying a new one. It eliminates the cost and maintenance of owning a machine. We wanted to create an opportunity for farmers to access new combine technology without having to leverage their farms or tie up large amounts of capital, Griffin says.
Harvest Solutions will be based in Kansas City, Mo., with major staging facilities within each partnering Cat dealership. HOLT CAT will support Harvest Solutions by managing the business and providing the high level of service that customers demand during the busy harvest season.
Along with guaranteed on-time delivery of machines, Harvest Solutions promises fast in-field service provided by HOLT CAT. A toll-free service number will be answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the harvest season, providing in-field service.
Renting from Harvest Solutions means producers no longer have to buy a piece of equipment that sits in the shed for most of the year.
"Our customers vary from large acre producers who requires three or four machines but do not want to deal with the hassles associated with owning several machines, to a group of producers who are sharing a combine to get their crops harvested, says Sven Hallermann, HOLT CATs Technology Products Manager.