Combines GleanerandAGCO brands dropped for 2010IJ

there was a survey out there a few months back. Marketing guys are always looking years into the future. The survey they got back was pretty graphic. Companies are not prone to bobbit-i- zizing themselves if you know what I mean. However, in this current economic world wide crash, and I believe we are just seeing the tip of the ice burg - a lot of govtmnts have borrowed themselves out of third world status. These are baloons that may pop along with the asset backed securities and housing mrkt in N America. The majority of jobs in America have been in the 'information' area. This produces nothing tangible, thus valueless unless you are in some hedge or speculation mode. I am not starting rumors, but some of the smaller guys in the world's machinery mfg players ain't a gonna make it if this thing drags out a year or so. Proof is the feds emergency drop of 1_2% this morn - very rare move. Check out the ability of companies to issue commercial paper. Cat was probably the smartest of the gang (GM FORD Deere to mention a few) who just before the crash issued I think a hundred million and really didn't have to have the money. It was a hedge I have been told - and a smart one. The curent cbot figures reflet true demand figures - with the speculators out of the picture. Same with crude oil. When the crop n's come in, and I think they will be low, the bravehearts will again hit the commodities and it will shoot up. But don't bet the farm on my account. In the past there are the powers that be that have recognized in situations like that of $4.30 corn and $1200.00 NH3 and then P and K and high land rent,,,well you know, it may not be magic but we have found ways to survive - people got to eat, but maybe not so high up on the hog world wide. There will opportunities and pitfalls aplenty -keep an eye out - and place an order for a 2011 Gleaner R88 - and have the check book ready when it hits the delaers lot ;-)

I appreciate your reply TBran, I participated in one AGCO survey that focused essentially on planters and branding. I made it absolutely clear that the only change away from a White planter brand that I would accept as a potential customer was to know that it was either Red and White branded or Orange and AGCO branded (I have given up on seeing AC on a tool again). I understand Challenger is something they would love to promote but to me a Challenger tool of any kind is totally without prestige. Challenger should be a tractor brand, not combine etc. maybe I am too worried about it but I am their customer. Hopefully, and I think they are doing so, they keep a certain amount of brand seperation and I am pretty sure given your hints, that Gleaner isn't going anywhere. In AGCO's defense it must be hard to buy up so many good companies and try to consolidate the brands or keep the identity just right.

At the risk of throwing this thread off track, you may want to think again about never seeing another Allis Chalmers branded tool. See link...... I'd like to know how they pulled this off. "Allis Chalmers" still exists, even uses the good ol' orange_black AC logo - but are now in the oil_energy business. I can only surmise that Briggs got permission from today's A-C to use their name and logo on these tractors.

I was thinking about the new lawn mowers as I posted last time but was hurrying to go to dinner, I guess a guy should never give up huhIJ! I think AGCO should go for a 99 year lease on the name and logo's associated with Allis-Chalmers and get it done, I mean git'r'dun!

Allis-Chalmers was always in the Oil_Energy Business. If you read some history of Allis Chalmers the company (as opposed to the Ag Mfg. _ Tractor Division which was sold off to Deutz in 1985) Allis Chalmers was huge in making generators for Hydro Electric Power (Hoover Dam),Electrical Transformers, and even large batteries _ fuel cell technology for NASA. We must remember that the Edward P. Allis Company started out making mill stones for Grinding Mills.