Avco New Idea

The New Idea story began in 1899, when Joseph Oppenheim in Maria Stein, Ohio, invented the first mechanical manure spreader. After his death, leadership passed to B.C. Oppenheim and his son-in-law, Henry Synck. Initially called Oppenheim’s New Idea, the company changed its name to New Idea Spreader Company in 1904.

In 1912, all operations were moved to Coldwater, Ohio. The company was sold to AVCO in 1945, and in 1984 the New Idea division was purchased by White Farm Equipment, forming White-New Idea, a division of Allied Products Corporation. In 1993, AGCO acquired White-New Idea. Like White before it, AGCO manufactured tractors at the Coldwater plant, but in 1999 the plant was closed, and hay equipment production was moved to Hesston, Kansas. Around 2007, AGCO discontinued the New Idea brand entirely.