At the Italian EIMA show last November New Holland top man Carlo Lambro spoke of plans to enter the European tillage equipment market, the business of which he values at around €8-9 billion a year. At the French SIMA show this week Mr Lambro confirmed they are actively looking at different opportunities from a strategic partnership to an full acquisition. The first signs of the company’s ambitions were visible at the same French show in 2013, and a New Holland-branded direct drill following a strategic partnership with Brazilian company Semeato. The rumours continue as to who New Holland is looking to work with or buy, but all Mr Lambro is prepared to add at this stage is the equipment does not necessarily need to carry the New Holland livery. “The plan is to offer a complete range of intelligent and ISObus compatible implements,” he says. “We expect to make an announcement sometime this year.” It cannot be entirely ruled out, but Case IH says it has no plans to add cultivators to its portfolio. Speaking at a SIMA show press conference, brand president Andreas Klauser says they are not planning to sell cultivators in Europe. “We are tractor and combine specialists and don’t mess around in areas we do not understand,” he says.