ARGO SpA


ARGO SpA is a family-owned Italian holding company owned by the Morra family that manufactures agricultural equipment.

History and growth

It was founded by Valerio Morra in 1980 with his purchase of MBS Spa. In 1987, ARGO purchased Pegoraro Spa of Vicenza. Sixty-six percent of Landini was purchased in 1989 from Massey Ferguson, with additional shares purchased in 1994. In 1995, the tractor business was expanded with the purchase of Valpadana Spa, followed by S.E.P. Spa and Laverda in 2000 from CNH Global. S.E.P. manufactures small, specialty tractors and equipment, while Laverda manufactures combines and hay-equipment. The remaining 9% of Landini that was owned by AGCO was purchased by ARGO in 2000. 2001 saw further growth with the purchase of the McCormick name and tractor factory in Doncaster, England, after the merger of Case IH and Fiat's New Holland Ag into CNH Global. The regulatory bodies reviewing the merger required some factories to be sold, which included Laverda from Fiat, and McCormick Tractors International from Case IH. 2007 saw ARGO selling 50% of Laverda to AGCO. AGCO bought the remaining 50% of Laverda in late 2010/early 2011, thereby also acquiring Fella-Werke.

Brands

ARGO manufactures or distributes the following brands of primarily agricultural equipment: