PPG stages Dodge Viper

PPG stages Dodge Viper

◄►

For a good ten years, the Puma series with seven models from 150 to 240 hp has enjoyed an excellent reputation as one of the key machines in the Case IH portfolio. On the occasion of its 175th anniversary, Case IH presented a limited edition of the Puma 175 CVX with a striking red pearl-effect finish.

HIGH DEMAND

The “Stryker Red” effect paint, made famous by the sports car legend Dodge Viper, was limited to exactly 175 units in keeping with the company’s 175-year history. Due to enormous demand, 175 units are now being built for EMEA and another 175 units for APAC. The PPG company is responsible for the paint and supplies everything from the primer to the top coat. The parts are painted by GSI, a young company led by CEO Thomas Steinwender not far from the Case IH tractor factory in Sankt Valentin. The automotive industry wants to see everything on site. Together with PPG Austria managing director Werner Lanzerstorfer and field sales representative Hans Mühlberghuber, we speak with Case IH global brand marketing manager Caroline Hager and Veit Danecker, who is responsible for product launches, final completion and delivery quality of the tractors at Case IH. Special paintwork has a tradition in the group. “For the Puma 175 CVX from Case IH, we chose the exclusive ‘Stryker Red’ paint, known from the Dodge Viper,” explains Caroline Hager. The four-layer paintwork is actually breathtaking: complex in terms of technical structure, iridescent effect with light and shadow. The project started in April of this year and 210 tractors have been completed so far. The image of the tractor buyer has changed significantly over time, explains Veit Danecker from Case IH: "Aesthetics and exclusivity are becoming increasingly important for our customers. The high-tech device must also be completely appealing." Case IH has been cooperating with PPG for around eight years. Field sales representative Hans Mühlberghuber acts as supervisor. The trained body builder and master painter knows what he is talking about based on his biography: “The paint quality of special editions must be at least as excellent as that of series production.”

QUALITY THROUGH HANDMADE

At Case IH in St. Valentin, around 45 tractors are produced every day, and the export rate is an impressive 95 percent. Case IH generally produces unique items itself. For larger quantities, they look for system partners, explains Veit Danecker. In this case, that is the company GSI in St. Valentin. Here the painting takes place in two and a half shifts with a lot of passion and commitment. Managing director Thomas Steinwender opened the business two years ago and has since built up a young and dynamic team. 50 employees – primarily young men and women from many nations and cultures, as the boss himself proudly notes – attach great importance to quality here. And you can see and feel that there is an enormous amount of joy in working here. The special paint “Stryker Red” will be presented at the world’s largest agricultural technology trade fair “Agritechnica” (from November 12th to 18th, 2017 in Hanover). In any case, there will be a big stir.