UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

 

of

 

AGCO CORPORATION

 

A Delaware Corporation

IRS Employer Identification No. 58-1960019

SEC File Number 1-12930

 

 

4205 River Green Parkway
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 813-9200

 

 

AGCO Corporation’s Common Stock and Junior Preferred Stock purchase rights are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

AGCO Corporation is a well-known seasoned issuer.

 

AGCO Corporation is required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. AGCO Corporation (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K will be contained in a definitive proxy statement, portions of which are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

AGCO Corporation has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website every Interactive Data File for the periods required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of regulation S-T.

 

The aggregate market value of AGCO Corporation’s Common Stock (based upon the closing sales price quoted on the New York Stock Exchange) held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2010 was approximately $1.9 billion. For this purpose, directors and officers have been assumed to be affiliates. As of February 12, 2011, 94,412,523 shares of AGCO Corporation’s Common Stock were outstanding.

 

AGCO Corporation is a large accelerated filer and is not a shell company.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of AGCO Corporation’s Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

PART I

 

 

AGCO Corporation (“AGCO,” “we,” “us,” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in April 1991. Our executive offices are located at 4205 River Green Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30096, and our telephone number is (770) 813-9200. Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Form 10-K to the Company include our subsidiaries.

 

General

 

We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts throughout the world. We sell a full range of agricultural equipment, including tractors, combines, self-propelled sprayers, hay tools, forage equipment and implements and a line of diesel engines. Our products are widely recognized in the agricultural equipment industry and are marketed under a number of well-known brands, including: Challenger^®, Fendt^®, Massey Ferguson^® and Valtra^®. We distribute most of our products through a combination of approximately 2,650 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries. In addition, we provide retail financing in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and Austria through our retail finance joint ventures with Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., which we refer to as “Rabobank.”

 

Products

 

Tractors

 

Our compact tractors (under 40 horsepower) are typically used on small farms and in specialty agricultural industries, such as dairies, landscaping and residential areas. We also offer a full range of tractors in the utility tractor category (40 to 100 horsepower), including two-wheel and all-wheel drive versions. Our utility tractors are typically used on small- and medium-sized farms and in specialty agricultural industries, including dairy, livestock, orchards and vineyards. In addition, we offer a full range of tractors in the high horsepower segment (primarily 100 to 585 horsepower). High horsepower tractors typically are used on larger farms and on cattle ranches for hay production. Tractors accounted for approximately 68% of our net sales in 2010, 67% in 2009 and 68% in 2008.

 

Combines

 

Our combines are sold with a variety of threshing technologies. All combines are complemented by a variety of crop-harvesting heads, available in different sizes, that are designed to maximize harvesting speed and efficiency while minimizing crop loss. Combines accounted for approximately 6% of our net sales in 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

Our 50% investment in Laverda S.p.A. (“Laverda”), an operating joint venture between AGCO and the Italian ARGO group, is located in Breganze, Italy and manufactures harvesting equipment. In addition to producing Laverda branded combines, the Breganze factory manufactures mid-range combine harvesters for our Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Challenger brands for distribution in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In October 2010, we entered into a purchase agreement with ARGO to acquire the remaining 50% of Laverda. Upon closing, which is subject to relevant local competition authority approval, we will own 100% of Laverda, which includes the hay and grass equipment business of Fella-Werke GmbH. The Company expects the purchase to close in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Application Equipment

 

We offer self-propelled, three- and four-wheeled vehicles and related equipment for use in the application of liquid and dry fertilizers and crop protection chemicals. We manufacture chemical sprayer equipment for use both prior to planting crops, known as “pre-emergence,” and after crops emerge from the ground, known as “post-emergence.” We also manufacture related equipment, including vehicles used for waste application

that are specifically designed for subsurface liquid injection and surface spreading of biosolids, such as sewage sludge and other farm or industrial waste that can be safely used for soil enrichment. Application equipment accounted for approximately 4% of our net sales in 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

Hay Tools and Forage Equipment, Implements, Engines and Other Products

 

Our hay tools and forage equipment include both round and rectangular balers, self-propelled windrowers, disc mowers, spreaders and mower conditioners and are used for the harvesting and packaging of vegetative feeds used in the beef cattle, dairy, horse and alternative fuel industries.

 

We also distribute a wide range of implements, planters and other equipment for our product lines. Tractor-pulled implements are used in field preparation and crop management. Implements include: disc harrows, which improve field performance by cutting through crop residue, leveling seed beds and mixing chemicals with the soil; heavy tillage, which break up soil and mix crop residue into topsoil, with or without prior discing; and field cultivators, which prepare a smooth seed bed and destroy weeds. Tractor-pulled planters apply fertilizer and place seeds in the field. Other equipment primarily includes loaders, which are used for a variety of tasks including lifting and transporting hay crops.

 

We provide a variety of precision farming technologies that are developed, manufactured, distributed and supported on a worldwide basis. A majority of these technologies are developed by third parties and are installed in our products. These technologies provide farmers with the capability to enhance productivity and profitability on the farm. Through the use of global positioning systems, or GPS, our automated steering and guidance products use satellites to help our customers eliminate skips and overlaps to optimize land use. This technology allows for more precise farming practices, from cultivation to planting to nutrient and pesticide applications. AGCO also offers other advanced technology precision farming products that gather information such as yield data, allowing our customers to produce yield maps for the purpose of maximizing planting and fertilizer applications. Many of our tractors, combines, planters and sprayers are equipped with these precision farming technologies at the customer’s option. Our suite of farm management software converts a variety of data generated by our machinery into valuable information that can be used to enhance efficiency, productivity and profitability and promote greater environmental stewardship. While these products do not generate significant revenues, we believe that these products and related services are desired and highly valued by professional farmers around the world and are integral to the growth of our machinery sales.

 

Our AGCO Sisu Power engines division produces diesel engines, gears and generating sets. The diesel engines are manufactured for use in Valtra tractors and certain other branded tractors, combines and sprayers, as well as for sale to third parties. The engine division specializes in the manufacturing of off-road engines in the 50 to 500 horsepower range.

 

Hay tools and forage equipment, implements, engines and other products accounted for approximately 7% of our net sales in 2010 and 9% in both 2009 and 2008.

 

Replacement Parts

 

In addition to sales of new equipment, our replacement parts business is an important source of revenue and profitability for both us and our dealers. We sell replacement parts, many of which are proprietary, for all of the products we sell. These parts help keep farm equipment in use, including products no longer in production. Since most of our products can be economically maintained with parts and service for a period of ten to 20 years, each product that enters the marketplace provides us with a potential long-term revenue stream. In addition, sales of replacement parts typically generate higher gross profit margins and historically have been less cyclical than new product sales. Replacement parts accounted for approximately 15% of our net sales in 2010, 14% in 2009 and 13% in 2008.

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

We distribute products primarily through a network of independent dealers and distributors. Our dealers are responsible for retail sales to the equipment’s end user in addition to after-sales service and support of the

equipment. Our distributors may sell our products through a network of dealers supported by the distributor. Our sales are not dependent on any specific dealer, distributor or group of dealers. We intend to maintain the separate strengths and identities of our core brand names and product lines.

 

Europe

 

We market and distribute farm machinery, equipment and replacement parts to farmers in European markets through a network of approximately 1,100 independent dealers and distributors. In certain markets, we also sell Valtra tractors and parts directly to the end user. In some cases, dealers carry competing or complementary products from other manufacturers. Sales in Europe accounted for approximately 47% of our net sales in 2010, 54% in 2009 and 55% in 2008.

 

North America

 

We market and distribute farm machinery, equipment and replacement parts to farmers in North America through a network of approximately 950 independent dealers, each representing one or more of our brand names. Dealers may also sell competitive and dissimilar lines of products. Sales in North America accounted for approximately 22% of our net sales in 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

South America

 

We market and distribute farm machinery, equipment and replacement parts to farmers in South America through several different networks. In Brazil and Argentina, we distribute products directly to approximately 325 independent dealers. In Brazil, dealers are generally exclusive to one manufacturer. Outside of Brazil and Argentina, we sell our products in South America through independent distributors. Sales in South America accounted for approximately 25% of our net sales in 2010 and 18% in both 2009 and 2008.

 

Rest of the World

 

Outside Europe, North America and South America, we operate primarily through a network of approximately 275 independent dealers and distributors, as well as associates and licensees, marketing our products and providing customer service support in approximately 85 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Asia. With the exception of Australia and New Zealand, where we directly support our dealer network, we generally utilize independent distributors, associates and licensees to sell our products. These arrangements allow us to benefit from local market expertise to establish strong market positions with limited investment. Sales outside Europe, North America and South America accounted for approximately 6% of our net sales in both 2010 and 2009 and 5% in 2008.

 

Associates and licensees provide a distribution channel in some markets for our products and/or a source of low-cost production for certain Massey Ferguson and Valtra products. Associates are entities in which we have an ownership interest, most notably in India. Licensees are entities in which we have no direct ownership interest, most notably in Pakistan. The associate or licensee generally has the exclusive right to produce and sell Massey Ferguson or Valtra equipment in its home country but may not sell these products in other countries. We generally license to these associates and licensees certain technology, as well as the right to use the Massey Ferguson or Valtra trade names. We also sell products to associates and licensees in the form of components used in local manufacturing operations, tractor kits supplied in completely knocked down form for local assembly and distribution, and fully assembled tractors for local distribution only. In certain countries, our arrangements with associates and licensees have evolved to where we principally provide technology, technical assistance and quality control. In these situations, licensee manufacturers sell certain tractor models under the Massey Ferguson or Valtra brand names in the licensed territory and also may become a source of low-cost production for us.

 

Parts Distribution

 

Parts inventories are maintained and distributed in a network of master and regional warehouses throughout North America, South America, Western Europe and Australia in order to provide timely response

to customer demand for replacement parts. Our primary Western European master distribution warehouses are located in Desford, United Kingdom; Ennery, France; and Suolahti, Finland; and our North American master distribution warehouses are located in Batavia, Illinois and Kansas City, Missouri. Our South American master distribution warehouses are located in Jundiai, São Paulo, Brazil; and in Haedo, Argentina.

 

In December 2010, we acquired Sparex Holding Ltd, (“Sparex”), a global distributor of accessories and tractor and replacement parts serving the agricultural aftermarket, with operations in 17 countries. Sparex is headquartered in Exeter, United Kingdom.

 

Dealer Support and Supervision

 

We believe that one of the most important criteria affecting a farmer’s decision to purchase a particular brand of equipment is the quality of the dealer who sells and services the equipment. We provide significant support to our dealers in order to improve the quality of our dealer network. We monitor each dealer’s performance and profitability and establish programs that focus on continual dealer improvement. Our dealers generally have sales territories for which they are responsible.

 

We believe that our ability to offer our dealers a full product line of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts, as well as our ongoing dealer training and support programs focusing on business and inventory management, sales, marketing, warranty and servicing matters and products, helps ensure the vitality and increase the competitiveness of our dealer network. We also maintain dealer advisory groups to obtain dealer feedback on our operations.

 

We provide our dealers with volume sales incentives, demonstration programs and other advertising support to assist sales. We design our sales programs, including retail financing incentives, and our policies for maintaining parts and service availability with extensive product warranties to enhance our dealers’ competitive position. In general, either party may cancel dealer contracts within certain notice periods.

 

Wholesale Financing

 

Primarily in the United States and Canada, we engage in the standard industry practice of providing dealers with floor plan payment terms for their inventories of farm equipment for extended periods. The terms of our wholesale finance agreements with our dealers vary by region and product line, with fixed payment schedules on all sales, generally ranging from one to 12 months. In the United States and Canada, dealers typically are not required to make an initial down payment, and our terms allow for an interest-free period generally ranging from six to 12 months, depending on the product. All equipment sales to dealers in the United States and Canada are immediately due upon a retail sale of the equipment by the dealer. If not previously paid by the dealer, installment payments are required generally beginning after the interest-free period with the remaining outstanding equipment balance generally due within 12 months after shipment. We also provide financing to dealers on used equipment accepted in trade. We retain a security interest in a majority of the new and used equipment we finance.

 

Typically, sales terms outside the United States and Canada are of a shorter duration, generally ranging from 30 to 180 days. In many cases, we retain a security interest in the equipment sold on extended terms. In certain international markets, our sales are backed by letters of credit or credit insurance.

 

For sales in most markets outside of the United States and Canada, we normally do not charge interest on outstanding receivables from our dealers and distributors. For sales to certain dealers or distributors in the United States and Canada, interest is generally charged at or above prime lending rates on outstanding receivable balances after interest-free periods. These interest-free periods vary by product and generally range from one to 12 months, with the exception of certain seasonal products, which bear interest after periods of up to 23 months that vary depending on the time of year of the sale and, the dealer or distributor’s sales volume during the preceding year. For the year ended December 31, 2010, 16.1% and 5.1% of our net sales had maximum interest-free periods ranging from one to six months and seven to 12 months, respectively. Net sales with maximum interest-free periods ranging from 13 to 23 months were approximately 0.4% of our net sales during 2010. Actual interest-free periods are shorter than suggested by these percentages because receivables

from our dealers and distributors in the United States and Canada are generally due immediately upon sale of the equipment to retail customers. Under normal circumstances, interest is not forgiven and interest-free periods are not extended. We have an agreement to permit transferring, on an ongoing basis, substantially all of our wholesale interest-bearing and non-interest bearing receivables in North America to our U.S. and Canadian retail finance joint ventures, AGCO Finance LLC and AGCO Finance Canada, Ltd. Upon transfer, the receivables maintain standard payment terms, including required regular principal payments on amounts outstanding, and interest charges at market rates. Qualified dealers may obtain additional financing through our U.S. and Canadian retail finance joint ventures at the joint ventures’ discretion. In addition, AGCO Finance entities provide wholesale financing to dealers in certain markets in Europe and Brazil.

 

Retail Financing

 

Through our AGCO Finance retail financing joint ventures located in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and Austria, end users of our products are provided with a competitive and dedicated financing source. These retail finance companies are owned 49% by AGCO and 51% by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rabobank. The AGCO Finance joint ventures can tailor retail finance programs to prevailing market conditions, and such programs can enhance our sales efforts. Refer to “Retail Finance Joint Ventures” within Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” for further information.

 

Manufacturing and Suppliers

 

Manufacturing and Assembly

 

We manufacture our products in locations intended to optimize capacity, technology or local costs. Furthermore, we continue to balance our manufacturing resources with externally-sourced machinery, components and replacement parts to enable us to better control inventory and our supply of components. We believe that our manufacturing facilities are sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.

 

Europe

 

Our tractor manufacturing operations in Europe are located in Suolahti, Finland; Beauvais, France; and Marktoberdorf, Germany. The Suolahti facility produces 75 to 220 horsepower tractors marketed under the Valtra and Massey Ferguson brand names. The Beauvais facility produces 80 to 370 horsepower tractors primarily marketed under the Massey Ferguson, Challenger and Valtra brand names. The Marktoberdorf facility produces 70 to 390 horsepower tractors marketed under the Fendt brand name. We also assemble cabs for our Fendt tractors in Baumenheim, Germany. We have a diesel engine manufacturing facility in Linnavuori, Finland. Our 50% investment in Laverda, an operating joint venture between AGCO and the Italian ARGO group, is located in Breganze, Italy and manufactures harvesting equipment. In addition to producing Laverda branded combines, the Breganze factory manufactures mid-range combine harvesters for our Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Challenger brand names. We also have a joint venture with Claas Tractor SAS for the manufacture of driveline assemblies for tractors produced in our facility in Beauvais.

 

North America

 

Our manufacturing operations in North America are located in Beloit, Kansas; Hesston, Kansas; Jackson, Minnesota; and Queretaro, Mexico, and produce products for a majority of our brand names in North America as well as for export outside of North America. The Beloit facility produces tillage and seeding equipment. The Hesston facility produces hay and forage equipment, rotary combines and planters. The Jackson facility produces 270 to 585 horsepower track tractors and four-wheeled drive articulated tractors, as well as self-propelled sprayers. In Queretaro, we assemble tractors for distribution in the Mexican market. In addition, we also have three tractor light assembly operations throughout the United States for the final assembly of imported tractors sold in the North American market.

South America

 

Our manufacturing operations in South America are located in Brazil. In Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, we manufacture and assemble tractors, ranging from 50 to 220 horsepower, and industrial loader-backhoes. The tractors are sold primarily under the Massey Ferguson brand name. In Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, we manufacture and assemble tractors, ranging from 50 to 210 horsepower, marketed primarily under the Valtra and Challenger brand names. We also manufacture diesel engines in the Mogi das Cruzes facility. We manufacture combines marketed under the Massey Ferguson, Valtra and Challenger brand names in Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In Ibirubá, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, we manufacture and distribute a line of farm implements, including drills, planters, corn headers and front loaders.

 

Third-Party Suppliers

 

We externally source many of our machinery, components and replacement parts. Our production strategy is intended to optimize our research and development and capital investment requirements and to allow us greater flexibility to respond to changes in market conditions.

 

We purchase some of the products we distribute from third-party suppliers. We purchase standard and specialty tractors from Carraro S.p.A. and distribute these tractors worldwide. In addition, we purchase some tractor models from our licensee in India, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, and compact tractors from Iseki & Company, Limited, a Japanese manufacturer. We also purchase other tractors, implements and hay and forage equipment from various third-party suppliers.

 

In addition to the purchase of machinery, third-party suppliers supply us with significant components used in our manufacturing operations, such as engines and transmissions. We select third-party suppliers that we believe are low cost, high quality and possess the most appropriate technology. We also assist in the development of these products or component parts based upon our own design requirements. Our past experience with outside suppliers generally has been favorable.

 

Seasonality

 

Generally, retail sales by dealers to farmers are highly seasonal and are a function of the timing of the planting and harvesting seasons. To the extent practicable, we attempt to ship products to our dealers and distributors on a level basis throughout the year to reduce the effect of seasonal retail demands on our manufacturing operations and to minimize our investment in inventory. Our financing requirements are subject to variations due to seasonal changes in working capital levels, which typically increase in the first half of the year and then decrease in the second half of the year. The fourth quarter is also typically a period for large retail sales because of our customers’ year end tax planning considerations, the increase in availability of funds from completed harvests and the timing of dealer incentives.

 

Competition

 

The agricultural industry is highly competitive. We compete with several large national and international full-line suppliers, as well as numerous short-line and specialty manufacturers with differing manufacturing and marketing methods. Our two principal competitors on a worldwide basis are Deere & Company and CNH Global N.V. In certain Western European and South American countries, we have regional competitors that have significant market share in a single country or a group of countries.

 

We believe several key factors influence a buyer’s choice of farm equipment, including the strength and quality of a company’s dealers, the quality and pricing of products, dealer or brand loyalty, product availability, the terms of financing, and customer service. See “Marketing and Distribution” for additional information.

 

Engineering and Research

 

We make significant expenditures for engineering and applied research to improve the quality and performance of our products, to develop new products and to comply with government safety and engine

emissions regulations. Our expenditures on engineering and research were approximately $219.6 million, or 3.2% of net sales, in 2010, $191.9 million, or 2.9% of net sales, in 2009 and $194.5 million, or 2.4% of net sales, in 2008.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We own and have licenses to the rights under a number of domestic and foreign patents, trademarks, trade names and brand names relating to our products and businesses. We defend our patent, trademark and trade and brand name rights primarily by monitoring competitors’ machines and industry publications and conducting other investigative work. We consider our intellectual property rights, including our rights to use our trade and brand names, important in the operation of our businesses. However, we do not believe we are dependent on any single patent, trademark or trade name or group of patents or trademarks, trade names or brand names.

 

Environmental Matters and Regulation

 

We are subject to environmental laws and regulations concerning emissions to the air, discharges of processed or other types of wastewater, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste materials. These laws and regulations are constantly changing, and the effects that they may have on us in the future are impossible to predict with accuracy. It is our policy to comply with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and we believe that any expense or liability we may incur in connection with any noncompliance with any law or regulation or the cleanup of any of our properties will not have a materially adverse effect on us. We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued regulations concerning permissible emissions from off-road engines. Our AGCO Sisu Power engines division, which specializes in the manufacturing of off-road engines in the 40 to 500 horsepower range, currently complies with Com II, Com IIIa, Com IIIb, Tier II, Tier III and Tier 4i emissions requirements set by European and United States regulatory authorities. We also are currently required to comply with other country regulations outside of the United States and Europe. We expect to meet future emissions requirements through the introduction of new technology to our engines and exhaust after-treatment systems, as necessary. In some markets (such as the United States) we must obtain governmental environmental approvals in order to import our products, and these approvals can be difficult or time consuming to obtain or may not be obtainable at all. For example, our AGCO Sisu Power engine division and our engine suppliers are subject to air quality standards, and production at our facilities could be impaired if AGCO Sisu Power and these suppliers are unable to timely respond to any changes in environmental laws and regulations affecting engine emissions. Compliance with environmental and safety regulations has added, and will continue to add, to the cost of our products and increase the capital-intensive nature of our business.

 

Climate change as a result of emissions of greenhouse gases is a significant topic of discussion and may generate U.S. and other regulatory responses in the near future, including the imposition of a so-called “cap and trade” system. It is impracticable to predict with any certainty the impact on our business of climate change or the regulatory responses to it, although we recognize that they could be significant. The most direct impacts are likely to be an increase in energy costs, which would increase our operating costs (through increased utility and transportations costs) and an increase in the costs of the products we purchase from others. In addition, increased energy costs for our customers could impact demand for our equipment. It is too soon for us to predict with any certainty the ultimate impact of additional regulation, either directionally or quantitatively, on our overall business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Our international operations also are subject to environmental laws, as well as various other national and local laws, in the countries in which we manufacture and sell our products. We believe that we are in compliance with these laws in all material respects and that the cost of compliance with these laws in the future will not have a materially adverse effect on us.

Regulation and Government Policy

 

Domestic and foreign political developments and government regulations and policies directly affect the agricultural industry in the United States and abroad and indirectly affect the agricultural equipment business. The application, modification or adoption of laws, regulations or policies could have an adverse effect on our business.

 

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting our business, as well as a variety of regulations relating to such matters as working conditions and product safety. A variety of laws regulate our contractual relationships with our dealers. These laws impose substantive standards on the relationships between us and our dealers, including events of default, grounds for termination, non-renewal of dealer contracts and equipment repurchase requirements. Such laws could adversely affect our ability to terminate our dealers.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2010, we employed approximately 14,300 employees, including approximately 3,300 employees in the United States and Canada. A majority of our employees at our manufacturing facilities, both domestic and international, are represented by collective bargaining agreements and union contracts with terms that expire on varying dates. We currently do not expect any significant difficulties in renewing these agreements.

 

Available Information

 

Our Internet address is www.agcocorp.com. We make the following reports filed by us available, free of charge, on our website under the heading “SEC Filings” in our website’s “Investors” section located under “Company”:

 

 

The foregoing reports are made available on our website as soon as practicable after they are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

We also provide corporate governance and other information on our website. This information includes:

 

 

In addition, in the event of any waivers of our Code of Conduct, those waivers will be available under the heading “Office of Ethics and Compliance” in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website’s “About AGCO” section located under “Company.”

 

Financial Information on Geographical Areas

 

For financial information on geographic areas, see Note 14 to the financial statements contained in this Form 10-K under the caption “Segment Reporting,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

We make forward-looking statements in this report, in other materials we file with the SEC or otherwise release to the public, and on our website. In addition, our senior management might make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. Statements concerning our future operations, prospects, strategies, products, manufacturing facilities, legal proceedings, financial condition, future financial performance (including growth and earnings) and demand for our products and services, and other statements of our plans, beliefs, or expectations, including the statements contained in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” regarding industry conditions, currency translation impacts, pricing impacts, the impact of recent acquisitions and marketing initiatives, market demand, farm incomes and economics, crop prices, weather conditions, government financing programs, general economic conditions, availability of financing, net sales and income, working capital and debt service requirements, gross margin improvements, restructuring benefits and expenses, engineering and development expenses, compliance with financial covenants, support of lenders, release of solvency guarantee, funding of our postretirement plans and pensions, uncertain income tax provisions, impacts of unrecognized actuarial losses related to our pension and postretirement benefit plans, conversion features of our notes, or realization of net deferred tax assets, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various assumptions, risks, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, those set forth below and in the other documents that we file with the SEC. There also are other factors that we may not describe, generally because we currently do not perceive them to be material, that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations.

 

We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

Our financial results depend entirely upon the agricultural industry, and factors that adversely affect the agricultural industry generally, including declines in the general economy, increases in farm input costs, lower commodity prices and changes in the availability of credit for our retail customers, will adversely affect us.

 

Our success depends heavily on the vitality of the agricultural industry. Historically, the agricultural industry, including the agricultural equipment business, has been cyclical and subject to a variety of economic factors, governmental regulations and legislation, and weather conditions. Sales of agricultural equipment generally are related to the health of the agricultural industry, which is affected by farm income, farm input costs, debt levels and land values, all of which reflect levels of commodity prices, acreage planted, crop yields, agricultural product demand including crops used as renewable energy sources, government policies and government subsidies. Sales also are influenced by economic conditions, interest rate and exchange rate levels, and the availability of retail financing, as well as the economic downturn that recently adversely impacted our sales in certain regions. Trends in the industry, such as farm consolidations, may affect the agricultural equipment market. In addition, weather conditions, such as floods, heat waves or droughts, and pervasive livestock diseases can affect farmers’ buying decisions. Downturns in the agricultural industry due to these or other factors could vary by market and are likely to result in decreases in demand for agricultural equipment, which would adversely affect our sales, growth, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, volatility in demand makes it difficult for us to accurately predict sales and optimize production. This, in turn, can result in higher costs, including inventory carrying costs. During previous downturns in the farm sector, we experienced significant and prolonged declines in sales and profitability, and we expect our business to remain subject to similar market fluctuations in the future.

 

The agricultural equipment industry is highly seasonal, and seasonal fluctuations significantly impact results of operations and cash flows.

 

The agricultural equipment business is highly seasonal, which causes our quarterly results and our available cash flow to fluctuate during the year. Farmers generally purchase agricultural equipment in the Spring and Fall in conjunction with the major planting and harvesting seasons. In addition, the fourth quarter

typically is a significant period for retail sales because of our customers’ year end tax planning considerations, the increase in availability of funds from completed harvests and the timing of dealer incentives. Our net sales and income from operations historically have been the lowest in the first quarter and have increased in subsequent quarters as dealers anticipate increased retail sales in subsequent quarters.

 

Most of our sales depend on the retail customers’ obtaining financing, and any disruption in their ability to obtain financing, whether due to the current economic downturn or otherwise, will result in the sale of fewer products by us. In addition, the collectability of receivables that are created from our sales, as well as from such retail financing, is critical to our business.

 

Most retail sales of the products that we manufacture are financed, either by our joint ventures with Rabobank or by a bank or other private lender. During 2010, our joint ventures with Rabobank, which are controlled by Rabobank and are dependent upon Rabobank for financing as well, financed approximately 50% of the retail sales of our tractors and combines in the markets where the joint ventures operate. Any difficulty by Rabobank in continuing to provide that financing, or any business decision by Rabobank as the controlling member not to fund the business or particular aspects of it (for example, a particular country or region), would require the joint ventures to find other sources of financing (which may be difficult to obtain), or us to find another source of retail financing for our customers, or our customers would be required to utilize other retail financing providers. As a result of the recent economic downturn, financing for capital equipment purchases generally became more difficult in certain regions and, in some cases, was expensive to obtain. To the extent that financing is not available or available only at unattractive prices, our sales would be negatively impacted.

 

In some cases, the financing provided by our joint venture with Rabobank or by others is supported by a government subsidy or guarantee. The programs under which those subsidies and guarantees are provided generally are of limited duration and subject to renewal and contain various caps and other limitations. In some markets, for example, Brazil, this support is quite significant. In the event the governments that provide this support elect not to renew these programs, and were financing not available, whether through our joint ventures or otherwise, our sales would be negatively impacted.

 

In addition, both AGCO and our retail finance joint ventures have substantial accounts receivable from dealers and retail customers, and we would be adversely impacted if the collectability of these receivables was not consistent with historical experience; this collectability is dependent on the financial strength of the farm industry, which in turn is dependent upon the general economy and commodity prices, as well as several of the other factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section.

 

Our success depends on the introduction of new products, which requires substantial expenditures.

 

Our long-term results depend upon our ability to introduce and market new products successfully. The success of our new products will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

 

As both we and our competitors continuously introduce new products or refine versions of existing products, we cannot predict the level of market acceptance or the amount of market share our new products will achieve. We have experienced delays in the introduction of new products in the past, and we cannot assure you that we will not experience delays in the future. Any manufacturing delays or problems with our new product launches will adversely affect our operating results. In addition, introducing new products could result in a decrease in revenues from our existing products. Consistent with our strategy of offering new products and product refinements, we expect to continue to use a substantial amount of capital for product development and refinement. We may need more capital for product development and refinement than is available to us, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our expansion plans in emerging markets could entail significant risks.

 

Our strategies include establishing a greater manufacturing and marketing presence in emerging markets such as China and Russia. In addition, we are growing our use of component suppliers in these markets. If we progress with these strategies, it will involve a significant investment of capital and other resources and entail various risks. These include risks attendant to obtaining necessary governmental approvals and the construction of the facilities in a timely manner and within cost estimates, the establishment of supply channels, the commencement of efficient manufacturing operations and, ultimately, the acceptance of the products by our customers. While we expect the expansion to be successful, should we encounter difficulties involving these or similar factors, it may not be as successful as we anticipate.

 

We face significant competition and, if we are unable to compete successfully against other agricultural equipment manufacturers, we would lose customers and our net sales and profitability would decline.

 

The agricultural equipment business is highly competitive, particularly in North America, Europe and South America. We compete with several large national and international companies that, like us, offer a full line of agricultural equipment. We also compete with numerous short-line and specialty manufacturers and suppliers of farm equipment products. Our two key competitors, Deere & Company and CNH Global N.V., are substantially larger than we are and have greater financial and other resources. In addition, in some markets, we compete with smaller regional competitors with significant market share in a single country or group of countries. Our competitors may substantially increase the resources devoted to the development and marketing, including discounting, of products that compete with our products. In addition, competitive pressures in the agricultural equipment business may affect the market prices of new and used equipment, which, in turn, may adversely affect our sales margins and results of operations.

 

We maintain an independent dealer and distribution network in the markets where we sell products. The financial and operational capabilities of our dealers and distributors are critical for our ability to compete in these markets. In addition, we compete with other manufacturers of agricultural equipment for dealers. If we are unable to compete successfully against other agricultural equipment manufacturers, we could lose dealers and their end customers and our net sales and profitability may decline.

 

Rationalization or restructuring of manufacturing facilities may cause production capacity constraints and inventory fluctuations.

 

The rationalization of our manufacturing facilities has at times resulted in, and similar rationalizations or restructurings in the future may result in, temporary constraints upon our ability to produce the quantity of products necessary to fill orders and thereby complete sales in a timely manner. A prolonged delay in our ability to fill orders on a timely basis could affect customer demand for our products and increase the size of our product inventories, causing future reductions in our manufacturing schedules and adversely affecting our results of operations. Moreover, our continuous development and production of new products will often involve the retooling of existing manufacturing facilities. This retooling may limit our production capacity at certain times in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition the expansion and reconfiguration of existing manufacturing facilities, as well as the start up of new manufacturing operations in emerging markets, such as China and Russia, could increase the risk of production delays, as well as require significant investments of capital.

 

We depend on suppliers for raw materials, components and parts for our products, and any failure by our suppliers to provide products as needed, or by us to promptly address supplier issues, will adversely impact our ability to timely and efficiently manufacture and sell products. We also are subject to raw material price fluctuations, which can adversely affect our manufacturing costs.

 

Our products include components and parts manufactured by others. As a result, our ability to timely and efficiently manufacture existing products, to introduce new products and to shift manufacturing of products from one facility to another depends on the quality of these components and parts and the timeliness of their delivery to our facilities. At any particular time, we depend on many different suppliers, and the failure by one

or more of our suppliers to perform as needed will result in fewer products being manufactured, shipped and sold. If the quality of the components or parts provided by our suppliers is less than required and we do not recognize that failure prior to the shipment of our products, we will incur higher warranty costs. The timely supply of component parts for our products also depends on our ability to manage our relationships with suppliers, to identify and replace suppliers that fail to meet our schedules or quality standards, and to monitor the flow of components and accurately project our needs. The shift from our existing suppliers to new suppliers, including suppliers in emerging markets in the future, also may impact the quality and efficiency of our manufacturing capabilities, as well as impact warranty costs. A significant increase in the price of any component or raw material could adversely affect our profitability. We cannot avoid exposure to global price fluctuations, such as occurred in the past with the costs of steel and related products, and our profitability depends on, among other things, our ability to raise equipment and parts prices sufficiently enough to recover any such material or component cost increases.

 

A majority of our sales and manufacturing take place outside the United States, and, as a result, we are exposed to risks related to foreign laws, taxes, economic conditions, labor supply and relations, political conditions and governmental policies. These risks may delay or reduce our realization of value from our international operations.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, we derived approximately $5,745.2 million, or 83%, of our net sales from sales outside the United States. The foreign countries in which we do the most significant amount of business are Germany, France, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Finland and Canada. In addition, we have significant manufacturing operations in France, Germany, Brazil and Finland. Our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by the laws, taxes, economic conditions, labor supply and relations, political conditions, and governmental policies of the foreign countries in which we conduct business. Our business practices in these foreign countries must comply with U.S. law, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). We have a compliance program in place designed to reduce the likelihood of potential violations of the FCPA, but we cannot provide assurances that future violations will not occur.. If significant violations were to occur, they could subject us to fines and other penalties as well as increased compliance costs. Some of our international operations also are subject to various risks that are not present in domestic operations, including restrictions on dividends and the repatriation of funds. Foreign developing markets may present special risks, such as unavailability of financing, inflation, slow economic growth, price controls and compliance with U.S. regulations.

 

Domestic and foreign political developments and government regulations and policies directly affect the international agricultural industry, which affects the demand for agricultural equipment. If demand for agricultural equipment declines, our sales, growth, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. The application, modification or adoption of laws, regulations, trade agreements or policies adversely affecting the agricultural industry, including the imposition of import and export duties and quotas, expropriation and potentially burdensome taxation, could have an adverse effect on our business. The ability of our international customers to operate their businesses and the health of the agricultural industry, in general, are affected by domestic and foreign government programs that provide economic support to farmers. As a result, farm income levels and the ability of farmers to obtain advantageous financing and other protections would be reduced to the extent that any such programs are curtailed or eliminated. Any such reductions likely would result in a decrease in demand for agricultural equipment. For example, a decrease or elimination of current price protections for commodities or of subsidy payments for farmers in the European Union, the United States, Brazil or elsewhere in South America could negatively impact the operations of farmers in those regions, and, as a result, our sales may decline if these farmers delay, reduce or cancel purchases of our products. In emerging markets some of these (and other) risks can be greater than they might be elsewhere.

 

As a result of the multinational nature of our business and the acquisitions that we have made over time, our corporate and tax structures are complex, with a significant portion of our operations being held through foreign holding companies. As a result, it can be inefficient, from a tax perspective, for us to repatriate or otherwise transfer funds, and we may be subject to a greater level of tax-related regulation and reviews by multiple governmental units. In addition, our foreign and U.S. operations routinely sell products to, and license

technology to other operations of ours. The pricing of these intra-company transactions is subject to regulation and review as well. While we make every effort to comply with all applicable tax laws, audits and other reviews by governmental units could result in our being required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties.

 

We recently have experienced substantial and sustained volatility with respect to currency exchange rate and interest rate changes which can adversely affect our reported results of operations and the competitiveness of our products.

 

We conduct operations in a variety of currencies.  Our production costs, profit margins and competitive position are affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where we manufacture or purchase goods relative to the strength of the currencies in countries where our products are sold. In addition, we are subject to currency exchange rate risk to the extent that our costs are denominated in currencies other than those in which we earn revenues and to risks associated with translating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries from local currencies into United States dollars. Similarly, changes in interest rates affect our results of operations by increasing or decreasing borrowing costs and finance income. Our most significant transactional foreign currency exposures are the Euro, the Brazilian real and the Canadian dollar in relation to the United States dollar, and the Euro in relation to the British pound. Where naturally offsetting currency positions do not occur, we attempt to manage these risks by economically hedging some, but not all, of our exposures through the use of foreign currency forward exchange or option contracts. As with all hedging instruments, there are risks associated with the use of foreign currency forward exchange or option contracts, interest rate swap agreements and other risk management contracts. While the use of such hedging instruments provides us with protection for a finite period of time from certain fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates, we potentially forego the benefits that might result from favorable fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates. In addition, any default by the counterparties to these transactions could adversely affect us. Despite our use of economic hedging transactions, currency exchange rate or interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow or financial condition.

 

We are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations, and our compliance with, or our failure to comply with, existing or future laws and regulations could delay production of our products or otherwise adversely affect our business.

 

We are subject to increasingly stringent environmental laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate. These regulations govern, among other things, emissions into the air, discharges into water, the use, handling and disposal of hazardous substances, waste disposal and the remediation of soil and groundwater contamination. Our costs of complying with these or any other current or future environmental regulations may be significant. For example, the European Union and the United States have adopted more stringent environmental regulations regarding emissions into the air, and it is possible that the U.S. Congress will pass emissions-related legislation in connection with concerns regarding greenhouse gases. We may be adversely impacted by costs, liabilities or claims with respect to our operations under existing laws or those that may be adopted in the future. If we fail to comply with existing or future laws and regulations, we may be subject to governmental or judicial fines or sanctions, or we may not be able to sell our products and, therefore, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

In addition, the products that we manufacture or sell, particularly engines, are subject to increasingly stringent environmental regulations. As a result, we will likely incur increased engineering expenses and capital expenditures to modify our products to comply with these regulations. Further, we may experience production delays if we or our suppliers are unable to design and manufacture components for our products that comply with environmental standards established by regulators. For instance, we are required to meet more stringent emissions requirements both now and in the future, and we expect to meet these requirements through the introduction of new technology to our engines and exhaust after-treatment systems, as necessary. Failure to meet such requirements could materially affect our business and results of operations.

Our labor force is heavily unionized, and our contractual and legal obligations under collective bargaining agreements and labor laws subject us to the risks of work interruption or stoppage and could cause our costs to be higher.

 

Most of our employees, most notably at our manufacturing facilities, are subject to collective bargaining agreements and union contracts with terms that expire on varying dates. Several of our collective bargaining agreements and union contracts are of limited duration and, therefore, must be re-negotiated frequently. As a result, we incur various administrative expenses associated with union representation of our employees. Furthermore, we are at greater risk of work interruptions or stoppages than non-unionized companies, and any work interruption or stoppage could significantly impact the volume of products we have available for sale. In addition, collective bargaining agreements, union contracts and labor laws may impair our ability to reduce our labor costs by streamlining existing manufacturing facilities and in restructuring our business because of limitations on personnel and salary changes and similar restrictions.

 

We have significant pension obligations with respect to our employees and our available cash flow may be adversely affected in the event that payments became due under any pension plans that are unfunded or underfunded. Declines in the market value of the securities used to fund these obligations result in increased pension expense in future periods.

 

A portion of our active and retired employees participate in defined benefit pension plans under which we are obligated to provide prescribed levels of benefits regardless of the value of the underlying assets, if any, of the applicable pension plan. To the extent that our obligations under a plan are unfunded or underfunded, we will have to use cash flow from operations and other sources to pay our obligations either as they become due or over some shorter funding period. In addition, since the assets that we already have provided to fund these obligations are invested in debt instruments and other securities, the value of these assets varies due to market factors. Recently, these fluctuations have been significant and adverse, and there can be no assurances that they will not be significant in the future. As of December 31, 2010, we had approximately $233.6 million in unfunded or underfunded obligations related to our pension and other postretirement health care benefits.

 

Our business routinely is subject to claims and legal actions, some of which could be material.

 

We routinely are a party to claims and legal actions incidental to our business. These include claims for personal injuries by users of farm equipment, disputes with distributors, vendors and others with respect to commercial matters, and disputes with taxing and other governmental authorities regarding the conduct of our business. While these matters generally are not material, it is entirely possible that a matter will arise that is material to our business.

 

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, and, as a result, we are subject to certain restrictive covenants and payment obligations that may adversely affect our ability to operate and expand our business.

 

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2010, we had total long-term indebtedness, including current portions of long-term indebtedness and amounts funded under our European accounts receivable securitization facilities, of approximately $744.0 million, total stockholders’ equity of approximately $2,659.2 million and a ratio of total indebtedness to equity of approximately 0.28 to 1.0. We also had short-term obligations of $179.4 million, capital lease obligations of $4.1 million, unconditional purchase or other long-term obligations of $381.2 million. In addition, we had guaranteed indebtedness owed to third parties and our retail finance joint ventures of approximately $128.4 million, primarily related to dealer and end-user financing of equipment.

 

Holders of our 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2033 and our 11/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2036 may convert the notes if, during any fiscal quarter, the closing sales price of our common stock exceeds 120% of the conversion price of $22.36 per share for our 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes and $40.73 per share for our 11/4% convertible senior subordinated notes for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal

quarter. Our 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes are currently convertible and are classified as a current liability. Future classification of both series of our notes between current and long-term debt and classification of the equity component of our 11/4% convertible senior subordinated notes as “temporary equity” is dependent on the closing sales price of our common stock during future quarters. In the event the notes are converted in the future, we believe we could repay the notes with available cash on hand, funds from our $300.0 million multi-currency revolving credit facility or a combination of these sources.

 

Our substantial indebtedness could have important adverse consequences. For example, it could:

 

 

Our business increasingly is subject to regulations relating to privacy and data protection, and if we violate any of those regulations we could be subject to significant liability.

 

Increasingly the United States, the European Union and other governmental entities are imposing regulations designed to protect the collection, maintenance and transfer of personal information. Other regulations govern the collection and transfer of financial data and data security generally. These regulations generally impose penalties in the event of violations. In addition, we also could be subject to cyber attacks that, if successful, could compromise out information technology systems and our ability to conduct business.

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Our principal properties as of January 31, 2011, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

We consider each of our facilities to be in good condition and adequate for its present use. We believe that we have sufficient capacity to meet our current and anticipated manufacturing requirements.

 

 

On June 27, 2008, the Republic of Iraq filed a civil action in a federal court in New York, Case No. 08 CIV 59617, naming as defendants our French subsidiary and two of our other foreign subsidiaries that participated in the United Nations Oil for Food Program (the “Program”). Ninety-one other entities or companies also were named as defendants in the civil action due to their participation in the Program. The complaint purports to assert claims against each of the defendants seeking damages in an unspecified amount. Although our subsidiaries intend to vigorously defend against this action, it is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of this action or its impact, if any, on us, although if the outcome was adverse, we could be required to pay damages. In addition, the French government also is investigating our French subsidiary in connection with its participation in the Program.

 

In August 2008, as part of a routine audit, the Brazilian taxing authorities disallowed deductions relating to the amortization of certain goodwill recognized in connection with a reorganization of our Brazilian operations and the related transfer of certain assets to our Brazilian subsidiaries. The amount of the tax disallowance through December 31, 2010, not including interest and penalties, was approximately 90.6 million Brazilian reais (or approximately $54.6 million). The amount ultimately in dispute will be greater because of interest, penalties and future deductions. We have been advised by our legal and tax advisors that our position with respect to the deductions is allowable under the tax laws of Brazil. We are contesting the disallowance and believe that it is not likely that the assessment, interest or penalties will be required to be paid. However, the ultimate outcome will not be determined until the Brazilian tax appeal process is complete, which could take several years.

 

We are a party to various other legal claims and actions incidental to our business. We believe that none of these claims or actions, either individually or in the aggregate, is material to our business or financial condition.

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART II

 

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and trades under the symbol AGCO. As of the close of business on February 11, 2011, the closing stock price was $54.00, and there were 443 stockholders of record (this number does not include stockholders who hold their stock through brokers, banks and other nominees). The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for our common stock for each quarter within the last two years, as reported on the NYSE.

 

 

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We currently do not pay dividends. We cannot provide any assurance that we will pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Although we are in compliance with all provisions of our debt agreements, both our credit facility and the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes contain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends in certain circumstances.

 

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

 

The following tables present our selected consolidated financial data. The data set forth below should be read together with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our historical Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the reports thereon are included in Item 8 in this Form 10-K. The historical financial data may not be indicative of our future performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts throughout the world. We sell a full range of agricultural equipment, including tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment and implements and a line of diesel engines. Our products are widely recognized in the agricultural equipment industry and are marketed under a number of well-known brand names, including: Challenger^®, Fendt^®, Massey Ferguson^® and Valtra^®. We distribute most of our products through a combination of approximately 2,650 dealers, distributors, associates and licensees. In addition, we provide retail financing in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and Austria through our retail finance joint ventures with Rabobank.

 

Results of Operations

 

We sell our equipment and replacement parts to our independent dealers, distributors and other customers. A large majority of our sales are to independent dealers and distributors that sell our products to the end user. To the extent practicable, we attempt to sell products to our dealers and distributors on a level basis throughout the year to reduce the effect of seasonal demands on our manufacturing operations and to minimize our investment in inventory. However, retail sales by dealers to farmers are highly seasonal and are linked to the planting and harvesting seasons. In certain markets, particularly in North America, there is often a time lag, which varies based on the timing and level of retail demand, between our sale of the equipment to the dealer and the dealer’s sale to a retail customer.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities” (“ASU 2009-17”) on January 1, 2010. As a result of the adoption, we determined that we should no longer consolidate our GIMA joint venture in our results of operations or financial position. Therefore, we have retroactively restated prior period information set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 to reflect the deconsolidation of GIMA. In addition, as discussed in Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we modified our system of reporting, resulting from changes to our internal management and organizational structure, effective January 1, 2010, which changed our reportable segments from North America; South America; Europe/Africa/Middle East; and Asia/Pacific to North America; South America; Europe/Africa/Middle East; and Rest of World. The Rest of World reportable segment includes the regions of Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and the Europe/Africa/Middle East segment no longer includes certain markets in Eastern Europe. Information set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 have been adjusted to reflect the change in reporting segments within “2010 Compared to 2009.” Information and related disclosures for the year ended December 31, 2008 were not adjusted to reflect the change in reportable segments because it was impracticable to do so, and, therefore, the information supplied below within “2009 Compared to 2008” does not reflect the change in reportable segments.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage relationship to net sales of certain items included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

 

2010 Compared to 2009

 

Net income for 2010 was $220.5 million, or $2.29 per diluted share, compared to net income for 2009 of $135.7 million, or $1.44 per diluted share.

 

Net sales for 2010 were approximately $380.2 million, or 5.8%, higher than 2009 primarily due to sales increases in our South American and North American geographical segments, partially offset by a slight decrease in our Europe/Middle East/Africa geographical segment as well as the unfavorable impact of currency translation. Strong market conditions in South America during 2010 helped to contribute to our overall sales growth in 2010. Income from operations was $324.2 million in 2010 compared to $218.7 million in 2009. The increase in income from operations and operating margins during 2010 primarily was due to higher net sales, material cost control initiatives increased production volumes and an improved product mix, partially offset by higher engineering expenses.

 

In our Europe/Africa/Middle East region, income from operations decreased approximately $17.3 million in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to the reduction in net sales, lower production levels and increased engineering expenses. Income from operations in our South American region increased approximately $97.1 million in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to significant sales growth, improved factory productivity as a result of higher production levels, and a shift in product sales mix to higher margin, higher horsepower products. In our North America region, income from operations increased approximately $27.6 million in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to improved margins from new products, a favorable product mix, and factory efficiencies, partially offset by increased engineering expenditures. Income from operations in the Rest of World region decreased approximately $4.2 million in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to weaker net sales, an unfavorable product mix and increased expenses related to growth initiatives.

Retail Sales

 

Worldwide industry equipment demand for farm equipment was mixed in 2010. In South America, strong industry conditions were the result of positive farm economics and continued availability of favorable government financing programs. North American industry demand was stable throughout 2010, with robust market demand for large equipment. Industry conditions in Western Europe were weak during the first half of 2010, especially in the dairy and livestock sectors, but improved in most major European markets towards the end of 2010.

 

In the United States and Canada, industry unit retail sales of tractors increased approximately 5% in 2010 compared to 2009, resulting from strong growth in industry unit retail sales of high horsepower tractors and modest growth in industry retail sales of compact tractors, partially offset by a small decline in unit retail sales of utility tractors. Industry unit retail sales of combines increased approximately 9% in 2010 compared to the prior year. Strong and improving economics for the professional producer sector contributed to the strength in retail sales of high horsepower tractors and combines. Continued weakness in the dairy and livestock sectors contributed to lower industry unit retail sales of mid-range utility tractors and hay equipment. In North America, our unit retail sales of tractors decreased in 2010 and our unit retailed sales of combines increased in 2010 compared to 2009 levels. In Western Europe, industry unit retail sales of tractors decreased approximately 10% in 2010 compared to 2009 due to lower retail volumes in most major Western European markets. Demand was weakest in France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. The slow pace of macro-economic recovery, weak farmer sentiment and soft demand in the dairy and livestock sectors contributed to the decline in 2010. Our unit retail sales of tractors for 2010 in Western Europe were also lower when compared to 2009. In South America, industry unit retail sales of tractors in 2010 increased approximately 31% compared to 2009. Industry retail sales of combines during 2010 were approximately 29% higher than 2009. Industry unit retail sales of tractors in the major market of Brazil increased approximately 24% during 2010 compared to 2009. Strong farm fundamentals and favorable government-sponsored financing programs in Brazil contributed to the strong industry demand, which began to accelerate in the second half of 2009. Improved weather and increased crop production in Argentina contributed to significant increases in industry unit retail sales of tractors and combines during 2010 compared to 2009. Our South American unit retail sales of tractors and combines were also higher in 2010 as compared to 2009. Our net sales in our Rest of Word segment for 2010 were approximately 4.7% lower than 2009, primarily due to lower sales in Australia and New Zealand, partially offset by higher sales in Asia. Weak market conditions in Australia and New Zealand and the tightened credit environment in the markets of Eastern Europe and Russia contributed to the decline.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net sales for 2010 were $6,896.6 million compared to $6,516.4 million for 2009. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted net sales by approximately $18.8 million, or 0.3%, primarily due to the weakening of the Euro, largely offset by the strengthening of the Brazilian real during 2010 as compared to 2009. The following table sets forth, for the year ended December 31, 2010, the impact to net sales of currency translation by geographical segment (in millions, except percentages):

 

The following is a reconciliation of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 at actual exchange rates compared to 2009 adjusted exchange rates (in millions):

 

 

 

 

Regionally, net sales in North America increased modestly during 2010 compared to 2009. Increased net sales of sprayers, combines and parts were offset by declines in net sales of hay and forage equipment and utility tractors. In the Europe/Africa/Middle East region, net sales decreased slightly in 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to weaker market conditions in Western Europe. We experienced the largest net sales declines in France, Germany and Africa, partially offset by sales growth in Poland and Finland. In South America, net sales increased during 2010 compared to 2009 primarily as a result of strong market conditions in the region, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. In the rest of the world, net sales decreased in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to net sales declines in Australia and New Zealand. We estimate that worldwide average price increases in 2010 and 2009 were approximately 2% and 3%, respectively. Consolidated net sales of tractors and combines, which consisted of approximately 74% of our net sales in 2010, increased approximately 7% in 2010 compared to 2009. Unit sales of tractors and combines increased approximately 8% during 2010 compared to 2009. The difference between the unit sales increase and the increase in net sales primarily was the result of foreign currency translation, pricing and sales mix changes.

 

The following table sets forth, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the percentage relationship to net sales of certain items included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions, except percentages):

 

 

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased during 2010 as compared to 2009. Higher production volumes and material cost control initiatives helped to produce higher gross margins. Unit production of tractors and combines during 2010 was approximately 8% higher than 2009. We recorded approximately $0.7 million and $0.1 million of stock compensation expense within cost of goods sold, during 2010 and 2009, respectively, as is more fully explained in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of net sales increased slightly during 2010 compared to 2009. We recorded approximately $12.9 million and $8.2 million of stock compensation expense, within SG&A, during 2010 and 2009, respectively, as is more fully explained in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Engineering expenses increased during 2010 as compared to

2009 primarily due to higher spending for the development of new products and costs to meet new engine emission standards.

 

We recorded restructuring and other infrequent expenses of approximately $4.4 million and $13.2 million during 2010 and 2009, respectively. The restructuring and other infrequent expenses recorded in 2010 primarily related to severance and other related costs associated with rationalization of our operations in Denmark, Spain, Finland and France. The restructuring and other infrequent expenses recorded in 2009 primarily related to severance and other related costs associated with rationalization of our operations in France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, the United States and Denmark.

 

Interest expense, net was $33.3 million for 2010 compared to $42.1 million for 2009. The decrease primarily was due to higher interest income due to higher amounts of invested cash.

 

Other expense, net was $16.0 million in 2010 compared to $22.2 million in 2009. Losses on sales of receivables primarily under our accounts receivable sales agreements were approximately $13.7 million in 2010. Losses on sales of receivables, primarily under our former U.S. and Canadian securitization facilities and our European securitization facilities, were approximately $15.6 million in 2009. The decrease primarily was due to a reduction in interest rates in 2010 compared to 2009. Other expense, net also decreased in 2010 due to favorable foreign exchange impacts in 2010 compared to 2009.

 

We recorded an income tax provision of $104.4 million in 2010 compared to $57.7 million in 2009. Our tax provision is impacted by the differing tax rates of the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate, permanent differences for items treated differently for financial accounting and income tax purposes, and losses in jurisdictions where no income tax benefit is recorded. Our 2009 income tax rate reconciliation provided in Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements includes a $39.5 million favorable “change in valuation allowance” which was fully offset by a write-off of certain foreign tax assets reflected in “tax effects of permanent differences”. Due to the fact that these tax assets had not been expected to be utilized in future years, we previously had maintained a valuation allowance against the tax assets. Accordingly, this write-off resulted in no impact to our income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized. We assessed the likelihood that our deferred tax assets would be recovered from estimated future taxable income and available income tax planning strategies. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had gross deferred tax assets of $466.4 million and $484.7 million, respectively, including $210.7 million and $215.0 million, respectively, related to net operating loss carryforwards. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had recorded total valuation allowances as an offset to the gross deferred tax assets of $262.5 million and $261.7 million, respectively, primarily related to net operating loss carryforwards in Brazil, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United States. Realization of the remaining deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2010 will depend on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods, net of reversing deferred tax liabilities. We believe it is more likely than not that the remaining net deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had approximately $48.2 million and $21.8 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would impact our effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had approximately $14.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of current accrued taxes related to uncertain income tax positions connected with ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions that we expect to settle or pay in the next 12 months. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $5.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively. See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our uncertain income tax positions.

 

Equity in net earnings of affiliates was $49.7 million in 2010 compared to $38.7 million in 2009. The increase primarily was due to increased earnings in our retail finance joint ventures. Refer to “Retail Finance Joint Ventures” for further information regarding our retail finance joint ventures and their results of operations.

2009 Compared to 2008

 

Net income for 2009 was $135.7 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, compared to net income for 2008 of $385.9 million, or $3.95 per diluted share.

 

Net sales for 2009 were approximately $1,756.7 million, or 21.2%, lower than 2008 primarily due to sales declines in most of our geographical segments as well as the unfavorable impact of currency translation. The volatility in commodity prices and the expectation of lower farm income contributed to a weaker demand in most of our major markets. Income from operations was $218.7 million in 2009 compared to $563.7 million in 2008. The decrease in income from operations and operating margins during 2009 was primarily due to lower net sales, reduced production volumes and a weaker product mix, partially offset by cost containment initiatives.

 

In our Europe/Africa/Middle East region, income from operations decreased approximately $294.1 million in 2009 compared to 2008, primarily due to decreased net sales, lower production levels, unfavorable currency translation impacts and increased engineering expenses. Income from operations in our South American region decreased approximately $69.6 million in 2009 compared to 2008, primarily due to lower net sales, lower production levels, unfavorable currency translation impacts and a shift in sales mix in Brazil from higher horsepower tractors to lower horsepower tractors. In our North American region, income from operations increased approximately $13.3 million in 2009 compared to 2008, primarily due to improved margins from new products, productivity initiatives and lower SG&A expenses, partially offset by higher levels of engineering costs and the impact of lower production. Income from operations in our Asia/Pacific region decreased approximately $7.1 million in 2009 compared to 2008, primarily due to lower gross margins and unfavorable currency translation impacts.

 

Retail Sales

 

Worldwide industry equipment demand for farm equipment decreased in 2009 in most major markets. The current global economic downturn, volatility in farm commodity prices and prospects for lower farm income in 2009 contributed to the decreased demand for equipment.

 

In the United States and Canada, industry unit retail sales of tractors decreased approximately 21% in 2009 compared to 2008, resulting from decreases in industry unit retail sales of compact, utility and high horsepower tractors. Industry unit retail sales of combines increased approximately 15% in 2009 when compared to the prior year. In North America, our unit retail sales of tractors as well as combines decreased in 2009 compared to 2008 levels. In Europe, industry unit retail sales of tractors decreased approximately 18% in 2009 compared to 2008 due to lower retail volumes in most major European markets. Industry unit retail sales in Western Europe declined approximately 13% in 2009 compared to 2008. Despite strong harvests across most of Western Europe, lower commodity prices and the outlook of reduced farmer profitability generated softer demand. Industry unit retail sales in Eastern Europe and Russia declined significantly compared to 2008 levels due to ongoing credit constraints. Our unit retail sales of tractors for 2009 in Europe were also lower when compared to 2008. In South America, industry unit retail sales of tractors in 2009 decreased approximately 17% compared to 2008. Weak industry conditions in Argentina and other markets outside of Brazil contributed to most of the decline in industry demand in the region. Industry unit retail sales of tractors in the major market of Brazil increased approximately 5% during 2009. A Brazilian government-funded financing program for small tractors, as well as a new government-sponsored, low-interest financing program for all equipment, supported sales in the Brazilian market, primarily in the low horsepower sector. Industry unit retail sales of combines during 2009 were approximately 36% lower than the prior year, with a decrease in Brazil of approximately 14% compared to 2008. Our unit retail sales of tractors and combines in South America were also lower in 2009 compared to 2008. In the rest of the world, our net sales for 2009 were approximately 4.7% higher than the prior year, primarily due to higher sales in Australia and New Zealand resulting from improved harvests.

Results of Operations

 

Net sales for 2009 were $6,516.4 million compared to $8,273.1 million for 2008. The decrease was primarily attributable to net sales decreases in most of our geographical regions as well as unfavorable foreign currency translation impacts. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted net sales by approximately $395.0 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Euro and the Brazilian real during the first nine months of 2009 compared to 2008. The following table sets forth, for the year ended December 31, 2009, the impact to net sales of currency translation by geographical segment (in millions, except percentages):

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2009 at actual exchange rates compared to 2008 adjusted exchange rates (in millions):

 

 

 

 

Regionally, net sales in North America decreased during 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to weaker market demand and efforts to reduce dealer inventory levels. In the Europe/Africa/Middle East region, net sales decreased in 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to sales declines in Germany, France and Scandinavia, as well as Eastern and Central Europe and Russia. In South America, net sales decreased during 2009 compared to 2008 primarily as a result of weaker market conditions in the region, particularly in Argentina, and a shift in sales mix to lower horsepower tractors in the region. In the Asia/Pacific region, net sales increased in 2009 compared to 2008 due to sales growth in Australia and New Zealand. We estimate that worldwide average price increases in 2009 and 2008 were approximately 3% and 4%, respectively. Consolidated net sales of tractors and combines, which consisted of approximately 72% of our net sales in 2009, decreased approximately 22% in 2009 compared to 2008. Unit sales of tractors and combines decreased approximately 20% during 2009 compared to 2008. The difference between the unit sales decrease and the decrease in net sales primarily was the result of foreign currency translation, pricing and sales mix changes.

The following table sets forth, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the percentage relationship to net sales of certain items included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions, except percentages):

 

 

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased during 2009 as compared to 2008 primarily due to lower production volumes and a weaker sales mix, partially offset by the impact of reduced workforce levels and cost control initiatives. Sales mix impacted margins primarily in South America due to a shift in demand toward low horsepower tractors away from high horsepower tractors and combines. Unit production of tractors and combines during 2009 was approximately 24% lower than 2008. We recorded approximately $0.1 million and $1.5 million of stock compensation expense within cost of goods sold, during 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased during 2009 compared to 2008, primarily due to the decline in net sales. We recorded approximately $8.2 million and $32.0 million of stock compensation expense, within SG&A, during 2009 and 2008, respectively. Engineering expenses decreased slightly but increased as a percentage of sales during 2009 as compared to 2008. We maintained the level of engineering expenses relative to the prior year to fund projects related to new product development and Tier 4 emission requirements.

 

We recorded restructuring and other infrequent expenses of approximately $13.2 million and $0.2 million during 2009 and 2008, respectively. The restructuring and other infrequent expenses recorded in 2009 primarily related to severance and other related costs associated with rationalization of our operations in France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, the United States and Denmark. The restructuring and other infrequent expenses recorded in 2008 primarily related to severance and employee relocation costs associated with rationalization of our Valtra sales office located in France.

 

Interest expense, net was $42.1 million for 2009 compared to $32.1 million for 2008. The increase primarily was due to lower interest income as a result of lower interest rates and lower amounts of invested cash.

 

Other expense, net was $22.2 million in 2009 compared to $20.1 million in 2008. Losses on sales of receivables primarily under our securitization facilities were $15.6 million in 2009 compared to $27.3 million in 2008. The decrease primarily was due to a reduction in interest rates in 2009 compared to 2008. In addition, there were foreign exchange losses in 2009 compared to foreign exchange gains in 2008.

 

We recorded an income tax provision of $57.7 million in 2009 compared to $164.4 million in 2008. Our tax provision is impacted by the differing tax rates of the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate, permanent differences for items treated differently for financial accounting and income tax purposes, and losses in jurisdictions where no income tax benefit is recorded.

 

A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized. We assessed the likelihood that our deferred tax assets would be recovered from estimated future taxable income and available income tax planning strategies. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had gross deferred tax assets of $484.7 million and $471.2 million, respectively, including $215.0 million and $210.8 million, respectively, related to net operating loss carryforwards. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had recorded total valuation allowances as an offset to the

gross deferred tax assets of $261.7 million and $294.4 million, respectively, primarily related to net operating loss carryforwards in Brazil, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United States.

 

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had approximately $21.8 million and $20.1 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would have impacted our effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had approximately $3.5 million and $7.6 million, respectively, of current accrued taxes related to uncertain income tax positions connected with ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions that we expected to settle or pay in the next 12 months. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $1.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

 

Equity in net earnings of affiliates was $38.7 million in 2009 compared to $38.8 million in 2008. An increase in earnings associated with our retail finance joint ventures was offset by a decrease in earnings associated with our Laverda operating joint venture during 2009 compared to 2008. Refer to “Retail Finance Joint Ventures” for further information regarding our retail finance joint ventures and their results of operations.

 

Quarterly Results

 

The following table presents unaudited interim operating results. We believe that the following information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our results of operations for the periods presented. The operating results for any period are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

 

 

 

Retail Finance Joint Ventures

 

Our AGCO Finance retail finance joint ventures provide retail financing and wholesale financing to our dealers in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Austria and Argentina. The joint ventures are owned 49% by AGCO and 51% by a wholly owned subsidiary of Rabobank, a AAA rated financial institution based in The Netherlands. The majority of the assets of the retail finance joint ventures represent finance receivables. The majority of the liabilities represent notes payable and accrued interest. Under the various joint venture agreements, Rabobank or its affiliates provide financing to the joint ventures, primarily through lines of credit. We do not guarantee the debt obligations of the joint ventures other than a portion of the retail portfolio in Brazil that is held outside the joint venture by Rabobank Brazil, which was approximately $2.8 million as of December 31, 2010, and will gradually be eliminated over time. As of December 31, 2010, our capital investment in the retail finance joint ventures, which is included in “Investment in affiliates” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, was approximately $305.7 million compared to $258.7 million as of December 31, 2009. The total finance portfolio in our retail finance joint ventures was approximately $7.0 billion and $6.3 billion as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The total finance portfolio as of December 31, 2010 included approximately $6.2 billion of retail receivables and $0.8 billion of wholesale receivables from AGCO dealers. The total finance portfolio as of December 31, 2009 included approximately $5.6 billion of retail receivables and $0.7 billion of wholesale receivables from AGCO dealers. The wholesale receivables were either sold directly to AGCO Finance without recourse from our operating companies, or AGCO Finance provided the financing directly to the dealers. During 2010, we made a $25.4 million investment in our retail finance joint venture in Brazil due to an increase in capital required under local Brazilian solvency requirements, as a result of the increased retail finance portfolio during 2010, as discussed below. During 2010, our share in the earnings of the retail finance joint ventures, included in “Equity in net earnings of affiliates” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, was $43.4 million compared to $36.4 million in 2009. The increase during 2010 was primarily due to higher finance revenues generated as a result of higher average retail finance portfolios, particularly in Europe and Brazil.

 

The retail finance portfolio in our retail finance joint venture in Brazil was $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2010 compared to $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2009. The increase in the retail finance portfolio primarily was due to favorable farm economics in the region, as previously discussed. As a result of weak market conditions in Brazil in 2005 and 2006, a substantial portion of this portfolio had been included in a payment deferral program directed by the Brazilian government relating to retail contracts entered into during 2004, where scheduled payments were rescheduled several times between 2005 and 2008. The impact of the deferral program resulted in higher delinquencies and lower collateral coverage for the portfolio. While the joint venture currently considers its reserves for loan losses adequate, it continually monitors its reserves considering borrower payment history, the value of the underlying equipment financed and further payment deferral programs implemented by the Brazilian government. To date, our retail finance joint ventures in markets outside of Brazil have not experienced any significant changes in the credit quality of their finance portfolios. However, there can be no assurance that the portfolio credit quality will not deteriorate, and, given the size of the portfolio relative to the joint ventures’ level of equity, a significant adverse change in the joint ventures’ performance would have a material impact on the joint ventures and on our operating results.

 

Outlook

 

Our operations are subject to the cyclical nature of the agricultural industry. Sales of our equipment have been and are expected to continue to be affected by changes in net cash farm income, farm land values, weather conditions, the demand for agricultural commodities, farm industry related legislation, availability of financing and general economic conditions.

 

Worldwide industry demand is expected to be flat or to increase modestly in 2011 compared to 2010 levels. Higher crop prices for grain and dairy farmers in Western Europe and improving farmer sentiment are expected to generate modest growth in the Western European market. In North America, industry sales are expected to be flat in 2011 compared to the high level experienced in 2010. The strong financial position of row crop farmers and the expectation of farm income above historical averages are expected to support demand from the professional farming sector. Favorable farm fundamentals are expected to continue in Brazil

in 2011. However, less attractive government financing programs are expected to result in a softening of demand as compared to the record demand of 2010.

 

Our net sales in 2011 are expected to be higher compared to 2010 primarily due to expected positive impacts of pricing, currency translation impacts based on current exchange rates, recent acquisitions and marketing initiatives. We are targeting gross margin improvements to be partially offset by higher expenses for new product and new market development. Net income is projected to be modestly higher than 2010.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our financing requirements are subject to variations due to seasonal changes in inventory and receivable levels. Internally generated funds are supplemented when necessary from external sources, primarily our revolving credit facility and accounts receivable securitization facilities.

 

We believe that these facilities, together with available cash and internally generated funds, will be sufficient to support our working capital, capital expenditures and debt service requirements for the foreseeable future:

 

 

In addition, although we are in complete compliance with the financial covenants contained in these facilities and currently expect to continue to maintain such compliance, should we ever encounter difficulties, our historical relationship with our lenders has been strong and we anticipate their continued long-term support of our business.

 

Current Facilities

 

Our $161.0 million of 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due December 31, 2033, issued in June 2005, provide for (i) the settlement upon conversion in cash up to the principal amount of the converted notes with any excess conversion value settled in shares of our common stock, and (ii) the conversion rate to be increased under certain circumstances if the notes had been converted in connection with certain change of control transactions occurring prior to December 10, 2010. The notes are unsecured obligations and are convertible into cash and shares of our common stock upon satisfaction of certain conditions. Interest is payable on the notes at 13/4% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on June 30 and December 31 of each year. The notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at an effective price of $22.36 per share, subject to adjustment. This reflects an initial conversion rate for the notes of 44.7193 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes. As of December 31, 2010, we may redeem any of the notes at a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, as well as settle any excess conversion value with shares of our common stock. Holders of the notes may also require us to

repurchase the notes at a repurchase price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest as of December 31 2010. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of these notes, as well as settle any excess conversion value with shares of our common stock.

 

Our $201.3 million of 11/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due December 15, 2036, issued in December 2006, provide for (i) the settlement upon conversion in cash up to the principal amount of the notes with any excess conversion value settled in shares of our common stock, and (ii) the conversion rate to be increased under certain circumstances if the notes are converted in connection with certain change of control transactions occurring prior to December 15, 2013. Interest is payable on the notes at 11/4% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at an effective price of $40.73 per share, subject to adjustment. This reflects an initial conversion rate for the notes of 24.5525 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes. Beginning December 15, 2013, we may redeem any of the notes at a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, as well as settle any excess conversion value with shares of our common stock. Holders of the notes may require us to repurchase the notes at a repurchase price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, on December 15, 2013, 2016, 2021, 2026 and 2031, as well as settle any excess conversion value with shares of our common stock. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of these notes.

 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the closing sales price of our common stock had exceeded 120% of the conversion price of the 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and, therefore, we classified the notes as a current liability. In accordance with ASU 2009-04, “Accounting for Redeemable Equity Instruments,” we also classified the equity component of the 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes as “temporary equity” as of December 31, 2009. The amount classified as “temporary equity” was measured as the excess of (a) the amount of cash that would be required to be paid upon conversion over (b) the carrying amount of the liability-classified component. As of December 31, 2010, the principal amount of cash required to be repaid upon conversion of the 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes was equivalent to the carrying amount of the liability-classified component. Future classification of both series of notes between current and long-term debt and classification of the equity component of the 11/4% convertible senior subordinated notes as “temporary equity” is dependent on the closing sales price of our common stock during future quarters.

 

During 2010, we repurchased approximately $37.5 million of principal amount of our 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes plus accrued interest for approximately $58.1 million. The repurchase included approximately $21.1 million associated with the excess conversion value of the notes and resulted in a loss on extinguishment of approximately $0.2 million reflected in “interest expense, net.” We reflected both the repurchase of the principal and the excess conversion value of the notes totaling $58.1 million within “Repurchase or conversion of convertible senior subordinated notes” within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2010. In addition, during 2010, holders of our 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes converted $2.7 million of principal amount of the notes. We issued 60,986 shares associated with the $2.7 million excess conversion value of the notes. The loss on extinguishment associated with the conversions of the notes was less than $0.1 million and was reflected in “Interest expense, net.” We reflected the repayment of the principal of the notes totaling $2.7 million within “Repurchase or conversion of convertible senior subordinated notes” within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

In January and February 2011, holders of our 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes converted an additional $60.6 million of principal amount of the notes. We issued 1,568,995 million shares associated with the $83.8 million excess conversion value of the notes.

 

The 13/4% convertible senior subordinated notes and the 11/4% convertible senior subordinated notes will impact the diluted weighted average shares outstanding in future periods depending on our stock price for the excess conversion value using the treasury stock method. Refer to Notes 1 and 7 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Our $300.0 million unsecured multi-currency revolving credit facility matures on May 16, 2013. Interest accrues on amounts outstanding under the facility, at our option, at either (1) LIBOR plus a margin ranging

between 1.00% and 1.75% based upon our total debt ratio or (2) the higher of the administrative agent’s base lending rate or one-half of one percent over the federal funds rate plus a margin ranging between 0.0% and 0.50% based upon our total debt ratio. The facility contains covenants restricting, among other things, the incurrence of indebtedness and the making of certain payments, including dividends, and is subject to acceleration in the event of a default, as defined in the facility. We also must fulfill financial covenants in respect of a total debt to EBITDA ratio and an interest coverage ratio, as defined in the facility. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had no outstanding borrowings under the facility. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had availability to borrow approximately $290.2 million and $290.7 million, respectively, under the facility.

 

Our €200.0 million 67/8% senior subordinated notes due 2014 are unsecured obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to any existing or future senior indebtedness. Interest is payable on the notes semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year. As of and subsequent to April 15, 2009, we may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, initially at 103.438% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, declining to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, at any time on or after April 15, 2012. The notes include covenants restricting the incurrence of indebtedness and the making of certain restricted payments, including dividends.

 

Under our European securitization facilities, we sell accounts receivable in Europe on a revolving basis to commercial paper conduits through a qualifying special-purpose entity in the United Kingdom. The European facilities expire in October 2011, but are subject to annual renewal. As of December 31, 2010, we had accounts receivable securitization facilities in Europe totaling approximately €110.0 million (or approximately $147.2 million). We amended our European securitization facilities during 2010 to decrease the total size of the facilities by €30.0 million. As of December 31, 2010, the outstanding funded balance of our European securitization facilities was approximately €85.1 million (or approximately $113.9 million). We adopted the provisions of ASU 2009 — 16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets” (“ASU 2009 — 16”), and ASU 2009 — 17 on January 1, 2010. As a result of this adoption, our European securitization facilities were required to be recognized within our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Therefore, we recognized approximately $113.9 million of accounts receivable sold through our European securitization facilities as of December 31, 2010 with a corresponding liability equivalent to the funded balance of the facilities. Our risk of loss under the securitization facilities is limited to a portion of the unfunded balance of receivables sold, which is approximately 10% of the funded amount. We maintain reserves for doubtful accounts associated with this risk. If the facilities were terminated, we would not be required to repurchase previously sold receivables, but would be prevented from selling additional receivables to the commercial paper conduits.

 

The European securitization facilities allow us to sell accounts receivables through financing conduits, which obtain funding from commercial paper markets. Future funding under the securitization facility depends upon the adequacy of receivables, a sufficient demand for the underlying commercial paper and the maintenance of certain covenants concerning the quality of the receivables and our financial condition. In the event commercial paper demand is not adequate, our securitization facility provides for liquidity backing from various financial institutions, including Rabobank. These liquidity commitments would provide us with interim funding to allow us to find alternative sources of working capital financing, if necessary.

 

Our accounts receivable sales agreements permit the sale, on an ongoing basis, of substantially all of our wholesale interest-bearing and non-interest bearing receivables in North America to AGCO Finance LLC and AGCO Finance Canada, Ltd., our U.S. and Canadian retail finance joint ventures. We have a 49% ownership in these joint ventures. These accounts receivable sales agreements replaced our former U.S. and Canadian accounts receivable securitization facilities, which were terminated in December 2009. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the funded balance from receivables sold under the U.S. and Canadian accounts receivable sales agreements with AGCO Finance LLC and AGCO Finance Canada, Ltd. was approximately $375.9 million and $444.6 million, respectively. The accounts receivable sales agreements provide for funding up to $600.0 million of U.S. accounts receivable and up to C$250.0 million (or approximately $250.6 million as of December 31, 2010) of Canadian accounts receivable. The sale of the receivables is without recourse to us. We do not service the receivables after the sale occurs, and we do not maintain any direct retained interest in the receivables. These agreements are accounted for as off-balance sheet transactions and have the effect of reducing accounts receivable and short-term liabilities by the same amount.

Our AGCO Finance retail finance joint ventures in Europe, Brazil and Australia also provide wholesale financing to our dealers. The receivables associated with these arrangements are also without recourse to us. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, these retail finance joint ventures had approximately $221.8 million and $176.9 million, respectively, of outstanding accounts receivable associated with these arrangements. These arrangements are accounted for as off-balance sheet transactions. In addition, we sell certain trade receivables under factoring arrangements to other financial institutions around the world. These arrangements are also accounted for as off-balance sheet transactions.

 

Cash Flows

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities was $438.7 million during 2010, compared to $347.9 million during 2009. The increase in cash flow provided by operating activities during 2010 primarily was due to an increase in net income. Cash flows provided by operating activities in 2009 included a significant reduction in accounts payable due to a reduction in raw material purchases as a result of sharp production cuts in our North American and European factories throughout 2009. In addition, lower inventory and accounts receivable levels in 2009 were a result of dealer de-stocking initiatives in North American and Europe during 2009.

 

Our working capital requirements are seasonal, with investments in working capital typically building in the first half of the year and then reducing in the second half of the year. We had $1,208.1 million in working capital at December 31, 2010, as compared with $1,079.6 million at December 31, 2009. Accounts receivable and inventories, combined, at December 31, 2010 were $260.1 million higher than at December 31, 2009. The increase in accounts receivable and inventories as of December 31, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009 was as a result of our adoption of ASU 2009-16 and ASU 2009-17 discussed above, which increased our accounts receivable by approximately $113.9 million, as well as due to increased production levels and the impact to our inventory levels.

 

Our debt to capitalization ratio, which is total indebtedness and temporary equity divided by the sum of total indebtedness, temporary equity and stockholders’ equity, was 21.3% at December 31, 2010 compared to 21.5% at December 31, 2009.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The future payments required under our significant contractual obligations, excluding foreign currency option and forward contracts, as of December 31, 2010 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Guarantees

 

We maintain a remarketing agreement with AGCO Finance LLC and AGCO Finance Canada, Ltd., our retail finance joint ventures in North America, whereby we are obligated to repurchase repossessed inventory at market values. We have an agreement with AGCO Finance LLC which limits our purchase obligations under this arrangement to $6.0 million in the aggregate per calendar year. We believe that any losses that might be incurred on the resale of this equipment will not materially impact our financial position or results of operations, due to the fact that the repurchase obligation would be equivalent to the fair value of the underlying equipment.

 

At December 31, 2010, we guaranteed indebtedness owed to third parties of approximately $128.4 million, primarily related to dealer and end-user financing of equipment. Such guarantees generally obligate us to repay outstanding finance obligations owed to financial institutions if dealers or end users default on such loans through 2015. We believe the credit risk associated with these guarantees is not material to our financial position. Losses under such guarantees have historically been insignificant. In addition, we would be able to recover any amounts paid under such guarantees from the sale of the underlying financed farm equipment, as the fair value of such equipment would be sufficient to offset a substantial portion of the amounts paid.

 

Other

 

At December 31, 2010, we had outstanding designated and non-designated foreign exchange contracts with a gross notional amount of approximately $1,113.4 million. The outstanding contracts as of December 31, 2010 range in maturity through December 2011. Gains and losses on such contracts are historically substantially offset by losses and gains on the exposures being hedged. See “Foreign Currency Risk Management” for additional information.

 

As discussed in “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” we sell substantially all of our wholesale accounts receivable in North America to our U.S. and Canadian retail finance joint ventures, and we sell certain accounts receivable under factoring arrangements to financial institutions around the world. We have reviewed the sale of such receivables pursuant to the guidelines of ASU 2009-16 and have determined that these facilities should be accounted for as off-balance sheet transactions.

 

Contingencies

 

As a result of Brazilian tax legislation impacting value added taxes (“VAT”), we have recorded a reserve of approximately $22.3 million and $11.6 million against our outstanding balance of Brazilian VAT taxes receivable as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, due to the uncertainty as to our ability to collect the amounts outstanding.

 

In June 2008, the Republic of Iraq filed a civil action against three of our foreign subsidiaries that participated in the United Nations Oil for Food Program. The French government also is investigating our French subsidiary in connection with its participation in the Program. In August 2008, as part of a routine audit, the Brazilian taxing authorities disallowed deductions relating to the amortization of certain goodwill recognized in connection with a reorganization of our Brazilian operations and the related transfer of certain assets to our Brazilian subsidiaries. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these matters.

Related Parties

 

Rabobank is a 51% owner in our retail finance joint ventures, which are located in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and Austria. Rabobank is also the principal agent and participant in our revolving credit facility and our European securitization facility. The majority of the assets of our retail finance joint ventures represent finance receivables. The majority of the liabilities represent notes payable and accrued interest. Under the various joint venture agreements, Rabobank or its affiliates provide financing to the joint venture companies, primarily through lines of credit. We do not guarantee the debt obligations of the retail finance joint ventures other than a portion of the retail portfolio in Brazil that is held outside the joint venture by Rabobank Brazil. Prior to 2005, our joint venture in Brazil had an agency relationship with Rabobank whereby Rabobank provided the funding. In February 2005, we made a $21.3 million investment in our retail finance joint venture with Rabobank Brazil. With the additional investment, the joint venture’s organizational structure is now more comparable to our other retail finance joint ventures, and we expect that our solvency guarantee to Rabobank for the portfolio that was originally funded by Rabobank Brazil gradually will be eliminated. As of December 31, 2010, the solvency requirement for the portfolio held by Rabobank was approximately $2.8 million. During 2010, we made a $25.4 million investment in our retail finance joint venture in Brazil due to an increase in capital required under local Brazilian solvency requirements, as a result of the increased retail finance portfolio in the joint venture during 2010.

 

Our retail finance joint ventures provide retail financing and wholesale financing to our dealers. The terms of the financing arrangements offered to our dealers are similar to arrangements they provide to unaffiliated third parties. In addition, we transfer, on an ongoing basis, substantially all of our wholesale interest-bearing and non-interest bearing accounts receivable in North America to AGCO Finance LLC and AGCO Finance Canada, Ltd., our retail finance joint ventures in North America. See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these agreements. We maintain a remarketing agreement with our U.S. retail finance joint venture, AGCO Finance LLC, as discussed above under “Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.” In addition, as part of sales incentives provided to end users, we may from time to time subsidize interest rates of retail financing provided by our retail finance joint ventures. The cost of those programs is recognized at the time of sale to our dealers.

 

Foreign Currency Risk Management

 

We have significant manufacturing operations in the United States, France, Germany, Finland and Brazil, and we purchase a portion of our tractors, combines and components from third-party foreign suppliers, primarily in various European countries and in Japan. We also sell products in over 140 countries throughout the world. The majority of our net sales outside the United States are denominated in the currency of the customer location, with the exception of sales in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and parts of South America where net sales are primarily denominated in British pounds, Euros or United States dollars. See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for net sales by customer location. Our most significant transactional foreign currency exposures are the Euro, the Brazilian real and the Canadian dollar in relation to the United States dollar, and the Euro in relation to the British pound. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies create exposures, which can adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We attempt to manage our transactional foreign currency exposure by hedging foreign currency cash flow forecasts and commitments arising from the anticipated settlement of receivables and payables and from future purchases and sales. Where naturally offsetting currency positions do not occur, we hedge certain, but not all, of our exposures through the use of foreign currency contracts. Our translation exposure resulting from translating the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries into United States dollars is not hedged. Our most significant translation exposures are the Euro, the British pound and the Brazilian real in relation to the United States dollar. When practical, this translation impact is reduced by financing local operations with local borrowings. Our hedging policy prohibits use of foreign currency contracts for speculative trading purposes.

 

All derivatives are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, we designate the derivative as either (1) a fair value hedge of a recognized liability,

(2) a cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction, (3) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, or (4) a non-designated derivative instrument. We currently engage in derivatives that are cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions as well as non-designated derivative instruments. Changes in the fair value of non-designated derivative contracts are reported in current earnings. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, we designated certain foreign currency contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted sales and purchases. The effective portion of the fair value gains or losses on these cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into cost of goods sold during the period the sales and purchases are recognized. These amounts offset the effect of the changes in foreign currency rates on the related sale and purchase transactions. The amount of the (loss) gain recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) that was reclassified to cost of goods sold during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $(3.1) million, $(14.5) million and $14.1 million, respectively, on an after-tax basis. The amount of the (loss) gain recorded to other comprehensive income (loss) related to the outstanding cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $1.2 million, $(1.3) million and $(36.7) million, respectively, on an after-tax basis. The outstanding contracts as of December 31, 2010 range in maturity through December 2011.

 

Assuming a 10% change relative to the currency of the hedge contract, the fair value of the foreign currency instruments could be negatively impacted by approximately $27.1 million as of December 31, 2010. Due to the fact that these instruments are primarily entered into for hedging purposes, the gains or losses on the contracts would be largely offset by losses and gains on the underlying firm commitment or forecasted transaction.

 

Interest Rates

 

We manage interest rate risk through the use of fixed rate debt and may in the future utilize interest rate swap contracts. We have fixed rate debt from our senior subordinated notes and our convertible senior subordinated notes. Our floating rate exposure is related to our revolving credit facility and our securitization facilities, which are tied to changes in United States and European LIBOR rates. Assuming a 10% increase in interest rates, interest expense, net and the cost of our securitization facilities for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have increased by approximately $0.5 million.

 

We had no interest rate swap contracts outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2009-17. ASU 2009-17 eliminated the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and requires a qualitative analysis to determine whether an enterprise’s variable interest gives it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. This standard also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. On January 1, 2010, we adopted the provisions of ASU 2009-17 and performed a qualitative analysis of all our joint ventures, including our GIMA joint venture, to determine whether we had a controlling financial interest in such ventures. As a result of this analysis, we determined that our GIMA joint venture should no longer be consolidated into our results of operations or financial position because we do not have a controlling financial interest in GIMA based on the shared powers of both joint venture partners to direct the activities that most significantly impact GIMA’s financial performance. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding GIMA deconsolidation.

 

In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-16. ASU 2009-16 eliminated the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, changed the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and added requirements for additional disclosures in order to enhance information reported to users of financial statements by providing greater transparency about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and an entity’s continuing involvement in and exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. ASU 2009-16 was effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009. On January 1, 2010, we

adopted the provisions of ASU 2009-16, and, in accordance with the standard, we recognized approximately $113.9 million of accounts receivable sold through our European securitization facilities within our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010, with a corresponding liability equivalent to the funded balance of the facility. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

 

Recent Acquisition

 

On December 15, 2010, we acquired Sparex for £51.6 million, net of approximately £2.7 million cash acquired (or approximately $81.5 million, net). Sparex, headquartered in Exeter, United Kingdom, is a global distributor of accessories and tractor replacement parts serving the agricultural aftermarket, with operations in 17 countries. The acquisition of Sparex provided us with the opportunity to extend our reach in the agricultural aftermarket and provide our customers with a wider range of replacement parts and accessories, as well as related services. The acquisition was financed with available cash on hand. The results of operations for the Sparex acquisition have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements as of and from the date of acquisition. We allocated the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on a preliminary estimate of their fair values as of the acquisition date. The acquired net assets consist primarily of accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment, inventories, trademarks and other intangible assets. We recorded approximately $26.8 million of goodwill and approximately $27.0 million of preliminary estimated trademark and customer relationship intangible assets associated with the acquisition of Sparex.

 

Recent Restructuring Actions

 

We recorded approximately $4.4 million and $13.2 million of restructuring and other infrequent expenses during 2010 and 2009, respectively. These charges included severance and other related costs associated with the rationalization of our operations in France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Spain, Germany, the United States and Denmark. Refer to Note 3 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed description of these rationalizations.

 

European and North American Manufacturing and Administrative Headcount Reductions

 

During 2009 and 2010, we announced and initiated several actions to rationalize employee headcount at various manufacturing facilities located in France, Finland, Germany and the United States, as well as at various administrative offices located in the United Kingdom, Spain and the United States. The headcount reductions were initiated in order to reduce costs and SG&A expenses in response to softening global market demand and reduced production volumes. We recorded approximately $12.8 million of severance and other related costs associated with such actions during 2009. During 2010, we recorded additional severance and other related costs of approximately $2.2 million associated with such actions. These rationalizations resulted in the termination of approximately 653 employees. Total cash restructuring costs associated with the actions are expected to be approximately $15.0 million to $16.0 million and the rationalizations should be completed in early 2011.

 

Randers, Denmark closure

 

In November 2009, we announced the closure of our assembly operations located in Randers, Denmark. We ceased operations in July 2010 and completed the transfer of the assembly operations to our harvesting equipment manufacturing joint venture, Laverda, located in Breganze, Italy, in August 2010. We recorded approximately $0.4 million of severance and other related costs in 2009 associated with the facility closure. During 2010, we recorded additional restructuring and other infrequent expenses of approximately $2.2 million associated with the closure, primarily related to employee retention payments, which were accrued over the term of the retention period. The closure resulted in the termination of approximately 79 employees. We anticipate savings associated with this closure to be approximately $3.0 million commencing in 2011.

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

We prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In the preparation of these financial statements, we make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the financial statements are detailed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe that our application of the policies discussed below involves significant levels of judgment, estimates and complexity.

 

Due to the level of judgment, complexity and period of time over which many of these items are resolved, actual results could differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the financial statements. Adjustments to these estimates would impact our financial position and future results of operations.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

We determine our allowance for doubtful accounts by actively monitoring the financial condition of our customers to determine the potential for any nonpayment of trade receivables. In determining our allowance for doubtful accounts, we also consider other economic factors, such as aging trends. We believe that our process of specific review of customers combined with overall analytical review provides an effective evaluation of ultimate collectability of trade receivables. Our loss or write-off experience was approximately 0.1% of net sales in 2010.

 

Discount and Sales Incentive Allowances

 

We provide various incentive programs with respect to our products. These incentive programs include reductions in invoice prices, reductions in retail financing rates, dealer commissions, dealer incentive allowances and volume discounts. In most cases, incentive programs are established and communicated to our dealers on a quarterly basis. The incentives are paid either at the time of invoice (through a reduction of invoice price), at the time of the settlement of the receivable, at the time of retail financing, at the time of warranty registration, or at a subsequent time based on dealer purchases. The incentive programs are product line specific and generally do not vary by dealer. The cost of sales incentives associated with dealer commissions and dealer incentive allowances is estimated based upon the terms of the programs and historical experience, is based on a percentage of the sales price, and is recorded at the later of (a) the date at which the related revenue is recognized, or (b) the date at which the sales incentive is offered. The related provisions and accruals are made on a product or product-line basis and are monitored for adequacy and revised at least quarterly in the event of subsequent modifications to the programs. Volume discounts are estimated and recognized based on historical experience, and related reserves are monitored and adjusted based on actual dealer purchases and the dealers’ progress towards achieving specified cumulative target levels. We record the cost of interest subsidy payments, which is a reduction in the retail financing rates, at the later of (a) the date at which the related revenue is recognized, or (b) the date at which the sales incentive is offered. Estimates of these incentives are based on the terms of the programs and historical experience. All incentive programs are recorded and presented as a reduction of revenue due to the fact that we do not receive an identifiable benefit in exchange for the consideration provided. Reserves for incentive programs that will be paid either through the reduction of future invoices or through credit memos are recorded as “accounts receivable allowances” within our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Reserves for incentive programs that will be paid in cash, as is the case with most of our volume discount programs, as well as sales incentives associated with accounts receivable sold to our U.S. and Canadian retail finance joint ventures, are recorded within “Accrued expenses” within our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

At December 31, 2010, we had recorded an allowance for discounts and sales incentives of approximately $98.7 million primarily related to reserves in our North America geographical segment that will be paid either through a reduction of future invoices or through credit memos to our dealers. If we were to allow an additional 1% of sales incentives and discounts at the time of retail sale, for those sales subject to such discount programs, our reserve would increase by approximately $5.9 million as of December 31, 2010.

Conversely, if we were to decrease our sales incentives and discounts by 1% at the time of retail sale, our reserve would decrease by approximately $5.9 million as of December 31, 2010.

 

Inventory Reserves

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method. Market is current replacement cost (by purchase or by reproduction dependent on the type of inventory). In cases where market exceeds net realizable value (i.e., estimated selling price less reasonably predictable costs of completion and disposal), inventories are stated at net realizable value. Market is not considered to be less than net realizable value reduced by an allowance for an approximately normal profit margin. Determination of cost includes estimates for surplus and obsolete inventory based on estimates of future sales and production. Changes in demand and product design can impact these estimates. We periodically evaluate and update our assumptions when assessing the adequacy of inventory adjustments.

 

Deferred Income Taxes and Uncertain Income Tax Positions

 

We recorded an income tax provision of $104.4 million in 2010 compared to $57.7 million in 2009. Our tax provision is impacted by the differing tax rates of the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate, permanent differences for items treated differently for financial accounting and income tax purposes, and losses in jurisdictions where no income tax benefit is recorded. Our 2009 income tax rate reconciliation provided in Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements includes a $39.5 million favorable adjustment which was fully offset by a write-off of certain foreign tax assets reflected in “tax effects of permanent differences.” Due to the fact that these tax assets had not been expected to be utilized in future years, the Company had previously maintained a valuation allowance against the tax assets. Accordingly, this write-off resulted in no impact to our income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized. We assessed the likelihood that our deferred tax assets would be recovered from estimated future taxable income and available income tax planning strategies. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had gross deferred tax assets of $466.4 million and $484.7 million, respectively, including $210.7 million and $215.0 million, respectively, related to net operating loss carryforwards. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had recorded total valuation allowances as an offset to the gross deferred tax assets of $262.5 million and $261.7 million, respectively, primarily related to net operating loss carryforwards in Brazil, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United States. Realization of the remaining deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2010 will depend on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods, net of reversing deferred tax liabilities. We believe it is more likely than not that the remaining net deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had approximately $48.2 million and $21.8 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would impact our effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had approximately $14.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of current accrued taxes related to uncertain income tax positions connected with ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions that we expect to settle or pay in the next 12 months. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $5.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively. See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our uncertain income tax positions.

 

Warranty and Additional Service Actions

 

We make provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranties at the time products are sold. We base these estimates on historical experience of the nature, frequency and average cost of warranty claims. In addition, the number and magnitude of additional service actions expected to be approved, and policies related to additional service actions, are taken into consideration. Due to the uncertainty and potential volatility of these estimated factors, changes in our assumptions could materially affect net income.

Our estimate of warranty obligations is reevaluated on a quarterly basis. Experience has shown that initial data for any product series line can be volatile; therefore, our process relies upon long-term historical averages until sufficient data is available. As actual experience becomes available, it is used to modify the historical averages to ensure that the forecast is within the range of likely outcomes. Resulting balances are then compared with present spending rates to ensure that the accruals are adequate to meet expected future obligations.

 

See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding costs and assumptions for warranties.

 

Insurance Reserves

 

Under our insurance programs, coverage is obtained for significant liability limits as well as those risks required by law or contract. It is our policy to self-insure a portion of certain expected losses related primarily to workers’ compensation and comprehensive general, product liability and vehicle liability. We provide insurance reserves for our estimates of losses due to claims for those items for which we are self-insured. We base these estimates on the expected ultimate settlement amount of claims, which often have long periods of resolution. We closely monitor the claims to maintain adequate reserves.

 

Pensions

 

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees principally in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Norway, France, Switzerland, Australia and Argentina. Our primary plans cover certain employees in the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

In the United States, we sponsor a funded, qualified pension plan for our salaried employees, as well as a separate funded qualified pension plan for our hourly employees. Both plans are frozen, and we fund at least the minimum contributions required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to both plans. In addition, we sponsor an unfunded, nonqualified pension plan for our executives.

 

In the United Kingdom, we sponsor a funded pension plan that provides an annuity benefit based on participants’ final average earnings and service. Participation in this plan is limited to certain older, longer service employees and existing retirees. No future employees will participate in this plan. See Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding costs and assumptions for employee retirement benefits.

 

Nature of Estimates Required.  The measurement of our pension obligations, costs and liabilities is dependent on a variety of assumptions provided by management and used by our actuaries. These assumptions include estimates of the present value of projected future pension payments to all plan participants, taking into consideration the likelihood of potential future events such as salary increases and demographic experience. These assumptions may have an effect on the amount and timing of future contributions.

 

Assumptions and Approach Used.  The assumptions used in developing the required estimates include the following key factors:

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, we changed our discount rate setting methodology in the countries where our largest benefit obligations exist to take advantage of a more globally consistent methodology. In the United States, the United Kingdom and the Euro Zone, we constructed a hypothetical bond portfolio of high quality corporate bonds and then applied the cash flows of our benefit plans to those bond yields to derive a discount rate. The bond portfolio and plan-specific cash flows vary by country, but the methodology in which the yield curve is constructed is consistent. In the United States, the bond portfolio is sufficiently large enough to result in taking a “settlement approach” to derive the discount rate, where high

quality corporate bonds are assumed to be purchased and the resulting coupon payments and maturities are used to satisfy our largest U.S. pension plan’s projected benefit payments. In the United Kingdom and the Euro Zone, the discount rate is derived using a “yield curve approach,” where an individual spot rate, or zero coupon bond yield, for each future annual period is developed to discount each future benefit payment and, thereby, determines the present value of all future payments.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, we based the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation for our U.S. pension plans, postretirement health care benefit plans and our Executive Nonqualified Pension Plan (“ENPP”) by matching the projected cash flows of our largest pension plan to the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve. For the U.K. plan, we derived the discount rate based on a yield curve developed from the constituents of the Merrill Lynch AA- rated corporate bond index. The discount rate for the U.K. plan for the year ended December 31, 2009 was a single weighted-average rate based on the approximate future cash flows of the plan. For countries within the Euro Zone, we derived an AA-rated corporate bond yield curve by selecting bonds included in the iBoxx corporate indices and creating a discount rate curve based on a series of model cash flows. Discount rates for each plan were then determined based on each plan’s liability duration. The indices used in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries were chosen to match the expected plan obligations and related expected cash flows.

 

As of December 31, 2010, the measurement date with respect to our defined benefit plans is December 31. Our inflation assumption is based on an evaluation of external market indicators. The salary growth assumptions reflect our long-term actual experience, the near-term outlook and assumed inflation. The expected return on plan asset assumptions reflects asset allocations, investment strategy, historical experience and the views of investment managers. Retirement and termination rates primarily are based on actual plan experience and actuarial standards of practice. The mortality rates for the U.S. and U.K. plans were updated in 2010 and 2009, respectively, to reflect expected improvements in the life expectancy of the plan participants. The effects of actual results differing from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect our recognized expense in such periods.

 

Our U.S. and U.K. pension plans comprise approximately 88% of our consolidated projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2010. If the discount rate used to determine the 2010 projected benefit obligation for our U.S. pension plans was decreased by 25 basis points, our projected benefit obligation would have increased by approximately $1.7 million at December 31, 2010, and our 2011 pension expense would increase by approximately $0.1 million. If the discount rate used to determine the 2010 projected benefit obligation for our U.S. pension plans was increased by 25 basis points, our projected benefit obligation would have decreased by approximately $1.6 million, and our 2011 pension expense would decrease by approximately $0.1 million. If the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation for our U.K. pension plan was decreased by 25 basis points, our projected benefit obligation would have increased by approximately $21.6 million at December 31, 2010, and our 2011 pension expense would increase by approximately $0.8 million. If the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation for our U.K. pension plan was increased by 25 basis points, our projected benefit obligation would have decreased by approximately $20.7 million at December 31, 2010, and our 2011 pension expense would decrease by approximately $0.8 million.

 

Unrecognized actuarial losses related to our qualified pension plans were $234.9 million as of December 31, 2010 compared to $281.3 million as of December 31, 2009. The decrease in unrecognized losses between years primarily reflects an increase in actual asset returns experienced during 2010. The unrecognized actuarial losses will be impacted in future periods by actual asset returns, discount rate changes, currency exchange rate fluctuations, actual demographic experience and certain other factors. For some of our qualified defined benefit pension plans, these losses will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits. For our U.S. salaried, U.S. hourly and U.K. pension plans, the population covered is predominantly inactive participants, and losses related to those plans will be amortized over the average remaining lives of those participants while covered by the respective plan. As of December 31, 2010, the average amortization period was 19 years for our U.S. qualified pension plans and 22 years for our non — U.S. pension plans. The estimated net actuarial loss for qualified defined benefit pension plans that will be amortized from our accumulated other comprehensive loss during

the year ended December 31, 2011 is approximately $6.7 million compared to approximately $8.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Investment strategy and concentration of risk

 

The weighted average asset allocation of our U.S. pension benefit plans at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

 

The weighted average asset allocation of our non-U.S. pension benefit plans at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

 

All tax-qualified pension fund investments in the United States are held in the AGCO Corporation Master Pension Trust. Our global pension fund strategy is to diversify investments across broad categories of equity and fixed income securities with appropriate use of alternative investment categories to minimize risk and volatility. The primary investment objective of our pension plans is to secure participant retirement benefits. As such, the key objective in the pension plans’ financial management is to promote stability and, to the extent appropriate, growth in funded status.

 

The investment strategy for the plans’ portfolio of assets balances the requirement to generate returns with the need to control risk. The asset mix is recognized as the primary mechanism to influence the reward and risk structure of the pension fund investments in an effort to accomplish the plans’ funding objectives. The overall investment strategy for the U.S.-based pension plans is to achieve a mix of approximately 20% of assets for the near-term benefit payments and 80% for longer-term growth. The overall U.S. pension funds invest in a broad diversification of asset types. Our U.S. target allocation of retirement fund investments is 31% large- and small- cap domestic equity securities, 15% international equity securities, 24% broad fixed income securities and 30% in alternative investments. We have noted that over long investment horizons, this mix of investments would achieve an average return in excess of 8.5%. In arriving at the choice of an expected return assumption of 8% for our U.S.-based plans, we have tempered this historical indicator with lower expectation for returns and equity investment in the future as well as the administrative costs of the plans. The overall investment strategy for the non-U.S. based pension plans is to achieve a mix of approximately 28% of assets for the near-term benefit payments and 72% for longer-term growth. The overall non-U.S. pension funds invest in a broad diversification of asset types. Our non-U.S. target allocation of retirement fund investments is 40% equity securities, 30% broad fixed income investments and 30% in alternative investments. The majority of our non-U.S. pension fund investments are related to our pension plan in the United Kingdom. We have noted that over very long periods, this mix of investments would achieve an average return in excess of 7.5%. In arriving at the choice of an expected return assumption of 7% for our U.K.-based plans, we have tempered this historical indicator with lower expectation for returns and equity investment in the future as well as the administrative costs of the plans.

 

Equity securities primarily include investments in large-cap and small-cap companies located across the globe. Fixed income securities include corporate bonds of companies from diversified industries, mortgage-

backed securities, agency mortgages, asset-backed securities and government securities. Alternative and other assets include investments in hedge fund of funds that follow diversified investment strategies. To date, we have not invested pension funds in our own stock, and we have no intention of doing so in the future.

 

Within each asset class, careful consideration is given to balancing the portfolio among industry sectors, geographies, interest rate sensitivity, dependence on economic growth, currency and other factors affecting investment returns. The assets are managed by professional investment firms. They are bound by precise mandates and are measured against specific benchmarks. Among assets managers, consideration is given, among others, to balancing security concentration, issuer concentration, investment style and reliance on particular active investment strategies.

 

As of December 31, 2010, our unfunded or underfunded obligations related to our qualified pension plans were approximately $184.3 million, primarily due to our pension plan in the United Kingdom. In 2010, we contributed approximately $31.2 million towards those obligations, and we expect to fund approximately $30.4 million in 2011. Future funding is dependent upon compliance with local laws and regulations and changes to those laws and regulations in the future, as well as the generation of operating cash flows in the future. We currently have an agreement in place with the trustees of the U.K. defined benefit plan that obligates us to fund approximately £13.0 million per year (or approximately $20.3 million) towards that obligation for the next 14 years. The funding arrangement is based upon the current underfunded status and could change in the future as discount rates, local laws and regulations, and other factors change. For instance, we believe that given current and expected asset investment returns, the obligation to fund the U.K. benefit plan at this level would likely only be necessary for the next nine years.

 

Other Postretirement Benefits (Retiree Health Care and Life Insurance)

 

We provide certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for certain employees, principally in the United States and Brazil. Participation in these plans has been generally limited to older employees and existing retirees. See Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding costs and assumptions for other postretirement benefits.

 

Nature of Estimates Required.  The measurement of our obligations, costs and liabilities associated with other postretirement benefits, such as retiree health care and life insurance, requires that we make use of estimates of the present value of the projected future payments to all participants, taking into consideration the likelihood of potential future events such as health care cost increases and demographic experience, which may have an effect on the amount and timing of future payments.

 

Assumptions and Approach Used.  The assumptions used in developing the required estimates include the following key factors:

 

 

Our health care cost trend assumptions are developed based on historical cost data, the near-term outlook, efficiencies and other cost-mitigating actions, including further employee cost sharing, administrative improvements and other efficiencies, and an assessment of likely long-term trends. For the year ended December 31, 2010, as previously discussed, we changed our discount rate setting methodology in the countries where our largest benefit obligations exist to take advantage of a more globally consistent methodology. In the United States, the discount rate model constructs a universe of high quality corporate bonds and then applies the cash flows of our benefit plans to those bond yields to derive a discount rate. The bond universe in the United States is sufficiently large enough to result in taking a “settlement approach” to derive the discount rate, where high quality corporate bonds are assumed to be purchased and the resulting coupon payments and maturities are used to satisfy our largest U.S. pension plan’s projected benefit payments. After the bond portfolio is selected, a single discount rate is determined such that the market value of the bonds purchased equals the discounted value of the plan’s benefit payments. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we based the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation for our U.S. postretirement benefit plans by matching the projected

cash flows of our largest pension plan to the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve. For our Brazilian plan, we based the discount rate on government bond indices within that country. The indices used were chosen to match our expected plan obligations and related expected cash flows. Our inflation assumptions are based on an evaluation of external market indicators. Retirement and termination rates are based primarily on actual plan experience and actuarial standards of practice. The mortality rates for the U.S. plans were updated during 2010 to reflect expected movements in the life expectancy of the plan participants. The effects of actual results differing from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect our recognized expense in such future periods.

 

Our U.S. postretirement health care and life insurance plans represent approximately 97% of our consolidated projected benefit obligation. If the discount rate used to determine the 2010 projected benefit obligation for our U.S. postretirement benefit plans was decreased by 25 basis points, our projected benefit obligation would have increased by approximately $0.7 million at December 31, 2010, and our 2011 postretirement benefit expense would increase by a nominal amount. If the discount rate used to determine the 2010 projected benefit obligation for our U.S. postretirement benefit plans was increased by 25 basis points, our projected benefit obligation would have decreased by approximately $0.7 million, and our 2011 pension expense would decrease by a nominal amount.

 

Unrecognized actuarial losses related to our U.S. postretirement benefit plans were $6.7 million as of December 31, 2010 compared to $6.0 million as of December 31, 2009. The increase in losses primarily reflects the inclusion of certain aspects of U.S. healthcare reform legislation, as well as the slight decrease in the discount rate during 2010. The unrecognized actuarial losses will be impacted in future periods by discount rate changes, actual demographic experience, actual health care inflation and certain other factors. These losses will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits, or the average remaining lives of inactive participants, covered under the postretirement benefit plans. As of December 31, 2010, the average amortization period was 12 years for our U.S. postretirement benefit plans. The estimated net actuarial loss for postretirement health care benefits that will be amortized from our accumulated other comprehensive loss during the year ended December 31, 2011 is approximately $0.3 million, compared to approximately $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

As of December 31, 2010, we had approximately $28.8 million in unfunded obligations related to our U.S. and Brazilian postretirement health and life insurance benefit plans. In 2010, we made benefit payments of approximately $1.9 million towards these obligations, and we expect to make benefit payments of approximately $1.7 million towards these obligations in 2011.

 

For measuring the expected U.S. postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2010, we assumed an 8.5% health care cost trend rate for 2011, decreasing to 5.0% by 2018. For measuring the expected U.S. postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2009, we assumed an 8.5% health care cost trend rate for 2010, decreasing to 4.9% by 2060. For measuring the Brazilian postretirement benefit plan obligation at December 31, 2010 and 2009, we assumed a 10.0% health care cost trend rate for 2011 and 2010, respectively, decreasing to 5.5% by 2020 and 2019, respectively. Changing the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point each year and holding all other assumptions constant would have the following effect to service and interest cost for 2011 and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2010 (in millions):

 

 

Litigation

 

We are party to various claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. We closely monitor these claims and lawsuits and frequently consult with our legal counsel to determine whether they may, when resolved, have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations and accrue and/or disclose loss contingencies as appropriate.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Assets

 

We test goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Our initial assessment and our annual assessments involve determining an estimate of the fair value of our reporting units in order to evaluate whether an impairment of the current carrying amount of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets exists. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired, and, thus, the second step of the impairment is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Fair values are derived based on an evaluation of past and expected future performance of our reporting units. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, for example, a component. A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and our executive management team regularly reviews the operating results of that component. In addition, we combine and aggregate two or more components of an operating segment as a single reporting unit if the components have similar economic characteristics. Our reportable segments are not our reporting units.

 

The second step of the goodwill impairment test, used to measure the amount of impairment loss, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination; that is, we allocate the fair value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.

 

We utilized a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow approach and a market multiple approach, when making our annual and interim assessments. As stated above, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis and more often if indications of impairment exist. The results of our analyses conducted as of October 1, 2010, 2009 and 2008 indicated that no reduction in the carrying amount of goodwill was required. The fair value of our reporting units was substantially in excess of their carrying amounts for 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

We make various assumptions including assumptions regarding future cash flows, market multiples, growth rates and discount rates. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on the current and long-term business plans of the reporting unit. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the reporting unit. These assumptions require significant judgments on our part, and the conclusions that we reach could vary significantly based upon these judgments.

 

As of December 31, 2010, we had approximately $632.7 million of goodwill. While our annual impairment testing in 2010 supported the carrying amount of this goodwill, we may be required to reevaluate the carrying amount in future periods, thus utilizing different assumptions that reflect the then current market conditions and expectations, and, therefore, we could conclude that an impairment has occurred.

 

 

The Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk information required by this Item set forth under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Foreign Currency Risk Management” and “— Interest Rates” on pages 35 and 36 under Item 7 of this Form 10-K are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

The following Consolidated Financial Statements of AGCO and its subsidiaries for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010 are included in this Item:

 

 

The information under the heading “Quarterly Results” of Item 7 on page 28 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

AGCO Corporation:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AGCO Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule as listed in Item 15(a)(2). These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AGCO Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its methods of accounting for transfers of financial assets and consolidation of variable interest entities in 2010 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Updates 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets” and 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities”.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), AGCO Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 25, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

Atlanta, Georgia

February 25, 2011

AGCO CORPORATION

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

AGCO CORPORATION

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

AGCO CORPORATION

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In millions, except share amounts)