Company News.

* RDO Equipment Co. has instituted an Office of the Chairman, which consists of Ronald D. Offutt, founder and CEO, Paul T. Horn, president and COO, and Allan F. Knoll, corporate secretary. Gary R. Allan, who has been promoted to executive vice president for agriculture will be responsible for all of the company's ag dealership and rental operations. The company says the realignment will enhance customer service and improve managerial accountability and effectiveness.

* Hamilton Equipment, Inc., Ephrata, PA and Raphine, VA, has exclusive wholesale distribution rights for the Pro Series products, Pro-Chopper and Pro-Crimper erosion control equipment, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Pro Series Products is a division of the King Machine Co., Inc., of Scottsburg, IN.

* Barrett Marketing Group, Middletown, NY, has been appointed exclusive distributor for Bolens lawn and garden equipment for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Barrett Marketing is also the exclusive distributor for Troy-Bilt and Bolens brands in Canada.

* Qualitech Steel Corporation, Pittsboro, IN, opened its new $236 million world headquarters and high technology steel plant that uses a new iron carbide production process. The company annually produces 500,000 tons of high quality engineered steel.

* Timken Company, Canton, OH, has expanded its Bearings Plus service parts to include nearly 40 different kits for more than 350 makes and models of tractors and implements. Timken says the kits contain parts for the most common bearing replacement needs.

* Satloc, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ, has restructured sales and distribution through regional dealers involved in precision agriculture. The dealers demonstrate, educate, and repair service Satloc's full product line with both customers and less actively involved dealers. Satloc provides swath guidance technology to air and ground custom applicator markets and markets its products through dealers and OEMs in North America, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Eastern Europe and South Africa.

* LongAgribusiness, L.L.C. is the new company name of the association formed by Long Manufacturing; Alvarez and Marsal, Inc., company managers; Escorts Limited, suppliers of FarmTrac tractors; and Universal Tractor Brasov, S.A., suppliers of LongTrac tractors. The company has also formed a long-term association with LG Cable and Machinery, suppliers of the LongTrac line, premium quality compact and utility tractors. LongAgribusiness says the company plans to deliver "unprecedented levels of quality, value and common sense solutions" to American customers.

* Equipment Technologies, L.L.C., Indianapolis, IN, has relocated to a new, larger manufacturing facility in order to meet the production demand for its Apache 560 and 760 models of agricultural spray tractors. The 103,000-square-foot plant, located in Mooresville, IN, was designed to meet future growth of other product lines, service parts and warehousing.

Acquisitions

* Top Air Manufacturing, Inc., Cedar Falls, IA, plans to purchase the Parker Industries subsidiary from Owosso Corporation. Completion of an agreement is expected during the first quarter of 1999.

* Yazoo/Kees Power Equipment, Jackson, MS, has signed an intent to acquire the HCC Dig-It tractor and towable backhoe products, the Huskie utility vehicle product line and the Power King garden and estate tractor product line. Until manufacturing of the three product lines is moved to Jackson by mid-1999, the products will continue to be manufactured at HCC in Mendota, IL.

* New Holland N.V. is acquiring 75.1 percent of the outstanding shares in Orenstein & Koppel Aktiengesellschaft (O&K), the German manufacturer of hydraulic excavators and construction equipment. The company will introduce a full line of O&K hydraulic excavators into North America during 1999, and O&K will supply New Holland Construction with hydrostatic wheel loaders. In Latin America, New Holland will market O&K hydraulic excavators under the Fiatallis brand name. In Europe, O&K will maintain its own distribution network and market its product name under the O&K brand.

Management Changes

* Allen R. Rider is the new vice president, North American Commercial Operations for New Holland. He succeeds R. Mac Reeves, who retired at the end on 1998 after 32 years with New Holland and its predecessor companies. Rider also maintains his position as president, New Holland North America.

* John M. Shumejda has been appointed AGCO's new President and Chief Executive Officer and to the company's Board of Directors. He was formerly President and COO and was a member of the magagement team since the company's founding. Robert J. Ratliff, AGCO's founder, will continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board.

* Arlie Tucker, chairman and CEO of Komatsu Mining Systems, Inc., Vernon Hills, IL, is the 1998 president of the Equipment Manufacturers Institute (EMI). Other officers include: vice chairman -- Rich Christman, senior vice president, strategy and corporate development for Case Corporation, Racine, WI; second vice chairman -- Robert Vermeer, chairman and CEO of Vermeer Mfg. Company, Pella, IA; vice chairman of construction -- John Fitzgerald, business manager, construction material handling equipment for Ingersoll-Rand Company; and vice chairman of agriculture -- Gary MacDonald, executive vice president of MacDon Industries Ltd.

* Harold Boyanovsky has been appointed senior vice president and general manager of the North American Region for Case Corporation. He will be responsible for both the agricultural and construction equipment business units. He most recently served as senior vice president and general manager of North American Construction Equipment and Parts Operations. John L. Garrison has been named vice president and general manager of agricultural equipment. His responsibility will be the agricultural business unit of the company.

Certifications & Honors

* Auburn Clutch Co., Inc., Garrett, IN -- Growth 100 Award from the state of Indiana for entrepreneurial business activities. Auburn makes clutches for tractor, vehicle, and industrial power transmissions.

* Dutch Industries Ltd., Pilot Butte, SK, Canada -- ABEX Award finalist in the Export category and winner of the Physical Environment category, from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. Dutch Industries makes direct seeding equipment and other zero- and minimum-till equipment.

* East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc., Lyon Station, PA -- Certified Supplier for Caterpillar. East Penn is also recognized as a Valued Business Partner by Schneider National common carrier for commitment to manufacturing improvement and business relationships. East Penn manufacturers batteries and battery accessories.

* HCC, Inc., Mendota and Gridley, IL -- ISO 9001 for design, production and service. HCC makes pick-up reels, sieves, chaffers, headers and field trackers for grain harvesters, backhoes, tractors, and utility vehicles.

* Perkins Engines, Novi, MI -- ISO 14001. (Also, simultaneous certification for all four of the company's UK sites). Perkins is a worldwide supplier of diesel and natural gas engines.

* Phoenix International, Fargo, ND -- Triumph Award from the Fargo Cass County Economic Development Corporation for business vision and continuing growth. Phoenix manufactures electronic control, display and sensor products for OEMs, with special expertise in harsh physical and electrical environments.