Case IH - History

History

Case IH history began when, in 1842, Jerome Increase Case founded Racine Threshing Machine Works on the strength of his innovative thresher. In 1869 Case expanded into the steam engine business and, by 1886, Case was the world’s largest manufacturer of steam engines. The company's founder died in 1891 at the age of 72.

In 1911, The J.I. Case Company had three cars in the first Indianapolis 500.

In 1967, Tenneco purchased J.I. Case, continuing to market the products under the Case name.

In 1973, they purchased British tractor manufacturer David Brown, and used this acquisition to enter the UK tractor market, ultimately incorporating the DB developed 94 series into its own range of high HP tractors.

Merging with International Harvester to become Case IH

In 1984, Tenneco Case took control of International Harvester's agricultural division. They changed their brand name to Case International at first, and then abbreviated that to Case IH. International Harvester had been in economic turmoil since 1980, but was still one of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world. Merging the two lines brought together the best of both traditions, offering a full line of agricultural equipment, and probably saved both companies from becoming a victim of the 1980s farming recession.

In 1986, Case IH purchased Steiger Tractor and began producing their 4-wheel drive tractors under the Case IH name.

In 1997, Case IH took over Fortschritt. Fortschritt was an East German brand of tractors, combine harvesters and other agricultural machines made by VEB Fortschritt (part of the IFA) in Neustadt, Saxony.

Merging with New Holland to create CNH Global

In 1999, Case IH merged with New Holland Ag to form a new parent company, CNH Global. The majority owner of CNH Global is Fiat Industrial.

In 2005, a STX500 Steiger Quadtrac tractor shattered the World Plowing Record, turning 792 acres (3.21 km2) of farmland in just 24 hours.

In 2006, the Case IH logo was displayed on a pair of Ferraris as part of the Ferrari Panamerican 20,000—a journey that took new Ferraris through 16 countries and across 20,000 miles (32,000 km) during a 15-stage, 84-day tour. The International Harvester "IH" logo in Case IH represents the head-on view of a farmer driving a tractor. The “I” symbolizes the driver of a tractor and is known as the red driver “I”.

2007 was the Steiger tractor’s 50th anniversary.

At present, CNH Global continues to manufacture the tractors branded Case IH. All Case IH equipment can use (B5) biodiesel from approved suppliers and nearly half of the models sold globally are approved, following proper protocols, for 100 percent biodiesel (B100).