Great Plains Signs Deal With Case

Great Plains Manufacturing Inc. and Case IH, have announced the creation of a supply agreement this week. Under the agreement, Great Plains will supply Case IH with twin row planters to be sold through Case IH dealerships under the Case IH brand beginning in 2013. The company will continue to make its green-painted twin row planters and supply dealer demand.

“This agreement allows Case IH to expand our offering while continuing to support and expand our existing Early Riser® planter lineup,” says Bill Preller, Senior Director, Case IH Specialty Business. “Case IH is pleased to partner with Great Plains, a leader in twin row technology.”

With this agreement, Case IH dealers will have the opportunity to expand their current planter offering to serve a new market projected to expand in the coming years.

“We are gonna have to buy a little more red paint,” said Linda Salem, chief operating officer of Great Plains. “It’s an additional opportunity for expanded production in Salina,” where Great Plains planters are made, she said.

The partnership with Case IH “helps us secure our portion of the market share,” she said.

A “small run” of production is planned the first year as Case IH introduces the twin row planters to customers. “The next year should be a pretty respectable quantity,” Salem said.

The agreement gives Case IH the ability “to make a strong entry in the fast-growing market. We see our relationship with Case IH as a good opportunity to partner with a leader, leverage our investment in twin row technology and expand our distribution,” Salem said in the release.

“Nothing is for sure in the cyclical world of farming,” Salem said, “but if the ag market stays strong, the Great Plains agreement with Case IH could produce more jobs in Salina.”

Great Plains, Association member since 1980; greatplainsmfg.com.