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Norwood celebrates its 75-year anniversary in 2023, with events planned for staff and customers.
Palmerston North headquartered Norwood celebrates its 75-year anniversary in 2023, with events planned for staff and customers.
“A 75-year anniversary is an incredible achievement for any business and the support of our staff and customers has helped us reach this milestone,” says Tim Myers, Norwood chief executive.
Back in 1948, the first shipment of Ferguson TEA20 tractors and implements were assembled in the Palmerston North A&P Showgrounds and a retail network was established.
In 1958, the business became the sole NZ distributor for Massey Ferguson. Then in 1960 it expanded into industrial and construction machinery. A decade later, the Norwood network has expanded to 10 retail dealerships, two assembly plants and encompassed 44 independently owned dealerships – including the locations in the Cook Islands.
After its acquisition by Dalgety Ltd in 1978, the business moved its head office from Lower Hutt to Palmerston North. Over the ensuing years, it added the Kubota and Sperry New Holland brands to it expanding portfolio. In 1987, the Norwood business was purchased by the European Zuellig Group and in 1993, relinquished the MF franchise and added FiatAgri to its offerings.
In the late 1990s, the Agricultural Equipment Division was formed, bringing on board brands such as Vaderstad, Sulky, and Breviglieri, followed by Ferrari in 2000 and Kuhn Farm Machinery in 2007.
Other key events included the launch of the Precision Ag Division, to focus on technological advances in 2013; and during 2018-19, the bringing together of the previously separate wholesale and retail parts of the business.
At around the same time, Norwood was one of the first companies to sign the Biosecurity Pledge, helping to play a bigger role in protecting agriculture in New Zealand.
In 2023, Norwood relinquished the New Holland and Horsch brands and expanded its KUHN distribution network.
“This is certainly a time for reflection. It is also a time for looking ahead to opportunities that Sir Charles and Sir Walter Norwood could never have imagined 75 years ago,” Myer says.
“Norwood’s commitment to New Zealand farmers and growers is one thing that has remained the same in a constantly changing industry.
“Our focus on doing everything we can to keep farmers moving has stood the test of time and will see us here for years to come.”
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With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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