Buhler plans Fargo facility.

Buhler Industries is planning to build a tractor assembly plant in Fargo, N.D., according to a story in the Winnipeg Free Press in late January. The newspaper reported that Buhler's advertising for potential workers in the Fargo region has raised fears about the future of the strike-bound Winnipeg facility which Buhler acquired last year from CNH Global, along with the purchase of the Versatile and Genesis lines of tractors.

The new plant in Fargo would likely be located on a 2,477-acre parcel of land that the company has owned for several years. Craig Engel, president and COO of the company, said the earliest construction would begin would be this summer, with the new plant opening in spring 2002.

The company and the Canadian Auto Worker union have not made any progress toward resolving the dispute. The main issues of the strike are benefits, seniority rights and contracting out existing work. John Buhler, CEO and chairman of Buhler Industries, has made it known that he planned to continue the CNH practice of out-sourcing a growing amount of work. He has also said he has no hope for a settlement.

Current production of the Genesis tractor is reportedly done by non-union workers at the Winnipeg plant. Buhler announced that it plans to start production of the Versatile later this summer.