CNH Industrial first agricultural machinery plant in Curitiba, Brazil has reached the 40 year milestone.  The plant was built in 1975, producing it’s first combine harvester in 1976.  Now, 40 years later, it is considered to be one of the world’s most modern and versatile plants.  The site produces components, tractors and combines that are exported throughout Latin America.

“It is a great pleasure to be an active witness of agricultural development in Brazil over the past 40 years, working closely with farmers and directly contributing to making our country one of the largest food producers in the world.” said Vilmar Fistarol, Chief Operating Officer of CNH Industrial in Latin America on the occasion of the site’s anniversary.

Curitiba operates according to the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) system with a Bronze level classification. WCM is based on continuous improvement, designed to eliminate waste and loss from the production process. The widespread use of WCM principles at CNH Industrial plants allows the entire Company, totaling some 69,000 employees across 190 countries, to share a common culture based on efficient processes and on a universally recognized language.

The technological advances that the site has undergone over the past four decades have seen it reduce polluting emissions and fuel consumption, while increasing the average power of the machines it produces. The developments made at Curitiba to improve the precision of combine harvesters are one example of how the site has been instrumental in the growth of food production in the region. In the 1970s, crop losses ranged between 10% and 12%. Today, combine harvesters manufactured in Curitiba record up to only a 0.5% crop loss, maximizing yields.

“In these 40 years, our plant has evolved remarkably, with the adoption of new industrial processes, the reduction of waste, and achieving excellence in its production practices. Because of this, we are equipped to manufacture and deliver machines to farmers that are fully compatible with the needs of their business,” said Fistarol.

CNH also contributes it’s success to its 2,200 employees.  People remain their key investment.