The Oliver farm equipment line was a US company, however there were unknown opportunities available overseas.

Prior to the White Motor Company buyout, Oliver had an export division but the equipment sold was built in the US by Oliver. When White Motors came along, things changed. It was White’s opinion that it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep pace with the growth of foreign markets without foreign assembly or manufacturing plants. Tariffs were too costly to be importing products from the US. In 1964, White Motor appointed Hans U. Graf as director of international operations to study the European market.

By 1965 the international division had made great progress in broadening overseas distribution and developing a basis for the manufacture of products in Europe. In 1966 White announced that they had acquired a 75% interest in Arbos, S.p.A.. Arbos became a subsidiary of White located in Piacenza, Italy and manufactured combines for rice and grain.

The 1966 Annual Report reads “The overseas activities of all divisions have been consolidated. This concentration of effort is designed to improve penetration of international markets. White Motor International, N.V., based in Amsterdam, Netherthlands, with a branch in Paris, France, is developing markets in Europe and the Middle East. It is also responsible for the operation of our affiliate, Arbos, which manufactures combines at the present time. Arbos has plans to expand its line of products to include other farm equipment. Considerable progress was made in establishing new dealers in a number of countries during 1966.”

This article can be read in Issue #21 so get it out or even order it on the website