SIX DECADES OF PRODUCTION CELEBRATED

New Holland is celebrating 60 years since the opening of its tractor factory in Basildon, England, with the unveiling of a celebration edition tractor and the strengthening of the plant’s role as the brand’s Alternative Fuels Centre of Excellence, alongside its position as its global tractor production facility.

The celebration edition T7.300 tractor that has been unveiled features graphics that celebrate the era in which the Basildon factory was founded, taking inspiration from the 1960s. Created by CNH Centro Stile, the anniversary edition’s livery is inspired by the colours and patterns of ‘Swinging ‘60s’ London, with psychedelic shapes characterised by vivid and fluid colours of blue, yellow, maroon and pink around New Holland’s leaf logo in bright yellow on the hood. The tractor, of which only one unit will be produced, was unveiled this week at the Basildon 60th anniversary celebratory event on Tuesday (April 9th), and will now be showcased at exhibitions throughout 2024.

The company have also announced that the latest developments at Basildon include significant investment in its role as the New Holland Alternative Fuels Centre of Excellence. In 2006, the firm declared its ambition to be the ‘Clean Energy Leader’ in the tractor sector, and in 2021 put into production at Basildon the industry’s first tractor of its type, the T6.180 Methane Power LNG, to be joined later this year by the T7.270 Methane Power CNG. These developments make possible the Energy Independent Farm, allowing biomethane captured from waste farming products such as livestock manures to be used as fuel.

Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president  said, “We are proud to celebrate 60 years of our plant in Basildon, that well represents the evolution of the New Holland brand, from a manufacturer of agricultural machinery to a company that advances sophisticated software technology for agriculture, fostering the brand leadership on a global level. Today Basildon is a hub for innovation, where we produce tractors that are exported worldwide, and a Centre of Excellence for Alternative Fuels, where our T6.180 Methane Power tractor is produced. 

“As the only volume tractor producer in the UK, we are also very proud of our workforce here, with their skills, dedication and commitment. It’s a milestone for the whole company and for everyone who works or has worked in the plant.”