part 4 Ratliff Agco

My favorite Robert Ratliff story occured during an early dealer meetingwhere the dealers were hot and heavy on Agco to provide a high horsepower, power shift  tractor which was a power unit Agco did not have. The issue was getting rather heated when Mr Ratliff took the floor and related to the group that Agco could come with a 'me too' tractor but if the dealers could wait a year or two they could have a high tech unit that would leap- frog competition and would be a technology leading unit in the marketplace. He ask for a vote by show of hands which proved to be overwhelmingly for the wait. During that time Ed Swingle and John Shumejda got up and moved to the back of the room. What we dealers did not see was that  Ed was behind us pulling on his nose like Pinocchio while Bob extolled the virtue of this tractor which did not exist.  After the meeting Ratliff approached the two and a long silence entailed. Finally Ed ask as to where they were going to get such a product in so short a time. The response was " I have the vision, you guys make it happen"  - and make it happen they did. In less than two years Agco introduced the new - shift by wire, 18 speed power shift,  high horsepower offing that indeed did put Agco on the map in the over 100 hp tractor market. They also did this with a record low cost and concept to market timeframe for such a new product. That was Robert Ratliff, a man who could asses an issue, see the possibilities and surround himself with people who could make his vision a reality.

The man is a legend in the world of farm equipment manufacturers, one of the greatest member of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)  Hall of Fame. He was proceeded in death by John and Ed who were killed in a plane crash in England, and Jim Seavers, who passed in 2014 – and now, well. there are none, as to the founders of AGCO, but because they lived their dreams, we Agco dealers and Agco company employees survive to furnish the industry with new legends in products and people sure to come... Thanks Mr. Bob , we dealers owe you an immeasurable debt;  our presence in this business and thank you Gini and family for lending him to us to preserve our heritage.