Innovation

This spirit of innovation is a driving force behind the growth of all our companies.

The tradition of innovation runs deep throughout the roots of all of our brands. Over the course of the last 170 years, we have been dreaming and creating the future of agricultural mechanization. This spirit of innovation has been a driving force behind the growth of all our companies over the years, and one of the common elements that has unified them today. This spirit is also very much a part of our ongoing strategy.

From 2001 to 2004, CNH made an all-out effort to modernize its products, renewing:

• 97% of its agricultural equipment  
• 85% of its construction equipment product offering

In 2004, more than 140 new and upgraded models were launched by CNH’s agricultural equipment brands, and CNH presented over 110 new or extensively improved products in its lineup of construction equipment.

Recent Design Awards

In 2005, CNH products took home two of the prestigious AE50 Recognition Awards. The awards are presented annually by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers to the year's 50 most innovative products engineered for the agricultural, food, and biological systems industries. Our award winners were:

• New generation New Holland Speedrower™ self-propelled windrowers (see PDF bottom of page)
• The new generation Case IH ASM 24/20 planter (see PDF bottom of page)

In Europe, CNH received two prestigious awards for New Holland products and one for Case IH, and in North America three awards were received for New Holland products and four for Case IH in 2004. 

Breakthrough Technologies & Processes – A historical perspective

CNH represents a family of brands that have shaped the history of agricultural equipment. The CNH heritage includes the combined legacies of Braud, Case, Claeys, Fiat, Flexicoil, Ford, International Harvester, New Holland, Steyr, and many others. This rich heritage of leadership defines our organization today. 

McCormick & International Harvester – Commercial innovations led to the rise of the farm equipment industry.

• Invented the reaper, more than doubling farm productivity. 
• Pioneered the first dealer distribution channel, the first full-line product offering (implements, tractors, harvesting, hay, etc), the first diesel wheel tractor in the U.S., and the first single rotor (Axial-Flow) combine.

New Holland

• Produced the world’s first commercially successful automatic, pick-up self-tie baler (1940).
• Created innovative hay harvesting technology with the Haybine® mower-conditioner (1964).

Case

• Provided farmers with steam power for threshing (1869).
• Introduced the first loader/backhoe—one of the most significant construction equipment innovations (1957).

Self-Propelled Windrowers

Planter