SDF Group is an Italian agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in 1927 and with its headquarters in Treviglio (Bergamo), Italy. SDF is one of the world's leading manufacturers of tractors, combine harvesters, and diesel engines. The group's products are commercialized under the brand names SAME, Deutz-Fahr, Lamborghini Trattori, Hürlimann, Grégoire and VitiBot. The tractors produced by the group cover a power range from 25 to 440 HP, while its combine harvesters cover a range of powers up to 395 HP.

SDF Group
Company typePublic company
IndustryAgricultural machinery
Founded1927; 97 years ago (1927)
HeadquartersTreviglio (Bergamo),
Key people
Vittorio Carozza – Chairman Lodovico Bussolati – CEO
ProductsTractors
Combine harvesters
Diesel engines
BrandsSAME
Deutz-Fahr
Lamborghini Trattori
Hürlimann
Grégoire
VitiBot
Revenue€ 1,803 millions (2022)
Number of employees
4,462 (2022)
Websitewww.sdfgroup.com

History of the group

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Cassani tractor in action (year 1929)

The history of the group dates back to 1927, with the creation of one of the first tractor powered by a diesel engine by brother Francesco and Eugenio Cassani. In 1942 the foundation of the company SAME (Società Accomandita Motori Endotermici) in Treviglio (Bergamo) crowned the company's founders' dream. After buying Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A. in 1973 from its founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, SAME embarked on a strategy of growth through acquisitions. With its acquisition of Hürlimann in 1979, the company changed its name to SAME-Lamborghini-Hürlimann (S-L-H).[1]

In 1995, the group acquired Deutz-Fahr from the German group KHD, changing name definitively to SAME Deutz-Fahr (SDF).

SAME Deutz-Fahr India was founded in 1996.

 
SAME Tractors - Frutteto ActiveDrive

From 2003 to 2012, SDF was a shareholder in the German group Deutz AG. In 2003, the group acquired 10% of the Finland based company Sampo-Rosenlew, which specialised in the production of components and 4 and 5 straw walker combine harvesters. This shareholding was subsequently sold.

In 2005, following its acquisition of the Croatia based company Ðuro Ðaković, the group founded the company Deutz-Fahr Combines, through which it now produces Deutz-Fahr branded components and combine harvesters.

In 2008, the SAME Deutz-Fahr Historical Archives and Museum was established at the group's main headquarters in Treviglio.

In 2011, the group acquired Grégoire A/S, a company which specialised in equipment for wine farming, olive oil farming, pruning and for the treatment and harvesting of grapes and olives. Also in 2011, SDF initiated a joint venture in China with Shandong Changlin Machinery.

In 2014, the company SAME Deutz-Fahr Traktör Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. was founded in Istanbul, Turkey[2] and the company Agricoltural Equipment in China is acquired and in 2016 SDF acquires the majority of the Chinese business.

In 2022, SDF acquires VitiBot, French leader in the production of autonomous and electric robots for vineyards.

 
Deutz-Fahr Tractors - 9 Series

Global operations

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SDF has 9 production sites, 12 commercial branches, 1 joint venture in China, 155 importers, over 3,100 dealers, and 4,400 employees.

 
Lamborghini Tractors - Strike

SDF's farm equipment, machinery, and logistics research and development is funded by a €50 million European Investment Bank loan secured by the European Fund for Strategic Investments. The initiative is part of Horizon 2020 and is in accordance with the Paris Agreement's objectives.[3][4] A senior engineer at the European Investment Bank, Matteo Fusari, who worked on the project, says, "We expect this project to have quite a good environmental impact." “It allows for vehicle automation and monitoring from a distance. These innovations will increase the efficiency of bioeconomy supply chains, in addition to reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.”[3][4]

Production plants

  • Treviglio (Italy): mid and mid-high power tractors from 70 to 170 HP
  • Lauingen (Germany): mid and mid-high power tractors from 130 HP
  • Županja (Croatia): combines and harvesting machines
  • Ranipet (India): low and low-mid power tractors up to 110 HP, diesel engines from 30 to 170 HP.
  • Châteaubernard (France): machines for grape and olive harvesting, towed and self-propelled
  • Bandirma (Turkey): mid-power tractors from up to 130 HP
  • Linshu (China): tractors up to 280 HP, combines and harvesting machines, from 32 to 140 HP
  • Suihua (China): tractors with 210 HP

Awards

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Tractors produced by the SDF group have earned numerous awards and accolades over the years. These include:

Year Products Award Country
2013 Deutz-Fahr 7250 TTV Agrotron Red Dot Product Design Award[5] Germany
2013 Deutz-Fahr 7250 TTV Agrotron Tractor of the year and Golden Tractor for the Design[6] Italy
2014 Deutz-Fahr 7250 TTV Agrotron Compasso d'Oro[7] Italy
2014 Lamborghini Nitro Red Dot Product Design Award[8] Germany
2014 Lamborghini Nitro 130 VRT Golden Tractor for the Design[9] Germany
2015 Deutz-Fahr Driver Extended Eyes Agritechnica Innovation Award Germany
2016 SAME Frutteto ActiveDrive Tractor of the Year: best of specialised Germany
2016 Deutz-Fahr Serie 6 Cshift Maschine des Jahres Germany
2017 Deutz-Fahr 6215 RCshift Tractor of the Year: Best Design Italy
2017 SAME Frutteto ActiveDrive Machine of the Year 2017 France
2019 Deutz-Fahr Agrolux 55 4WD Indian Tractor of the Year 2019 - Best 4WD tractor of the Year India
2019 Deutz-Fahr Agrolux Profiline 80 Indian Tractor of the Year 2019 - Best tractor above 60HP India
2019 Deutz-Fahr Agromaxx 4060E Farm Power Awards 2019 - Latest Innovation of the Year India
2020 Deutz-Fahr Agromaxx 4050E Farm Power Awards 2020 - Best Tractor of the Year 41-50HP India

Brands

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References

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  1. ^ SAME, company history http://www.cultureimpresa.it/10-2013/italian/primo02.html
  2. ^ SAME company history and acquisitions, from official website http://www.samedeutz-fahr.com/it/azienda/storia
  3. ^ a b "What is Agriculture 4.0? From AI to IoT, Italy brings you the tractor of the future". European Investment Bank. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b petroaa (22 October 2013). "Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials". Horizon 2020 - European Commission. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Red Dot Design Award".
  6. ^ "Tractor of the Year_Winner 2013". Archived from the original on 7 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  7. ^ "ADI - Associazione per il Disegno Industriale".
  8. ^ "Lamborghini Nitro - Vehicles - Other - Red Dot 21 – global design directory". Archived from the original on 1 August 2014.
  9. ^ "Tractor of the Year_Winner GTD 2014". Archived from the original on 6 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
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