CNH's Modena hub speeds farm equipment design with €21m automation push

CNH, the global agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer, inaugurated the advanced facilities on June 13 at its San Matteo research and development centre in Modena, according to Global Agriculture. The investment combines a virtual simulation environment—allowing engineers to test equipment designs digitally before physical prototyping—with an automated AutoStore logistics warehouse to streamline parts delivery across the company's global operations.

The move reflects a broader shift in how machinery makers in Motor Valley and across Emilia-Romagna's engineering sector are adopting digital tools to compress design cycles and reduce waste. Virtual simulation allows teams to iterate faster and catch flaws before costly physical builds; automated warehousing cuts the time parts spend in transit to assembly lines. For a region whose reputation rests on precision engineering and just-in-time manufacturing, the dual investment signals CNH's confidence that Modena remains competitive as a global R&D hub despite labour and energy costs across Europe.