The full details have yet to surface, but Kubota has entered into an agreement to purchase Great Plains Manufacturing in a deal valued at around US$430 million. Due to be completed in July, the acquisition includes all five Great Plains divisions, all eight facilities in Kansas and a manufacturing plant in Sleaford. We understand it is business as usual for company’s 1,400 staff for the foreseeable future with no branding or product changes. Great Plains is one of the largest family-owned farm equipment makers in the US. Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the business makes a wide range of planters, drills, cultivators, fertiliser spreaders and sprayers.