According to a Sept. 22 press release, AGCO has made investments in Valtra’s factory in Central Finland. This includes a new 2,000 square meter (21,500 square foot) paint shop, which sits immediately adjacent to the main assembly line.

In the new set up, the assembled tractor frames are taken from the assembly line to the new paint shop via  Automated Guided Vehicle carts (AGV)s. The frames are then suspended and carried by overhead conveyors. This hanging method of conveyance and the additional space afforded in the new building allows for more efficient washing, drying, painting and priming processes.

Valtra’s Suolahti transmission plant is also undergoing expansion and modernization. The factory currently manufactures transmissions used in the N and T Series tractors and delivers powershift transmissions for the South American market and transmission components for other AGCO sites. In the future, the AGCO CVT transmissions used in the Q and S Series will also be made in Finland.

A new transmission test bench dedicated to Q and S Series transmissions will enable higher production of high horsepower tractors.

Other recent investments include the new Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) 5 automated manufacturing system linked to the material store and machining centers.  Three additional machining centers will complete the FMS in early 2024.

Investments also include a brand-new validation center to be inaugurated in the second half of 2024. The 850 square meter (9,150 square foot) building will allow for testing entire tractors or individual modules in extremely hot or cold conditions and various levels of air humidity.

Valtra had also announced plans for new investments at its paint facility in Suolahti, Finland back in 2021. It was said to include "automated washing and pre-treatment line with four robots taking care of painting and drying processes," scheduled to finish in the third quarter of 2022.

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