ALLIS-CHALMERS

Allis-Chalmers’ history as a manufacturer dates back to the 1840s in Milwaukee. In 1914, the rapidly growing company entered the farm equipment business. Over the years, Allis-Chalmers became known for numerous innovations in agricultural machinery and grew into one of the largest and most diverse manufacturers in North America. However, changing financial conditions forced the company to sell its farm equipment division to K-H-Deutz AG of Germany in 1985. Deutz sold it to AGCO Inc. in 1990. After the dispersal of the remaining manufacturing businesses in 1988, Allis-Chalmers maintained an office in Milwaukee until January 1999. Today, AGCO has expanded the farm equipment business, especially in Europe and South America, and in 2004, AGCO entered the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest companies.