Case
Case (J.I. Case Company / CASE Construction Equipment & Case IH) — Brief Corporate History
Founding
Case traces its origins to 1842, when Jerome Increase Case founded the Racine Threshing Machine Worksin Racine, Wisconsin, USA, producing innovative grain threshing machines and later steam engines.
Early Development
In 1869, the company built its first portable steam engine. It became the world's largest producer of steam traction engines by the late 19th century and introduced one of the earliest gasoline-powered tractors in 1892. The business was formally incorporated as the J.I. Case Threshing Machine Company and later became the Case Corporation.
Diversification & Merger
Case entered the construction equipment market in the mid-20th century, launching the industry's first factory-integrated tractor loader backhoe (Model 320) in 1957, and began producing skid steer loaders in 1969. In 1984, Tenneco (owner of Case) acquired International Harvester's agricultural division, merging it with Case to form Case IH. In 1999, Case Corporation merged with New Holland N.V. to create CNH Global, now CNH Industrial.
Today
Today, Case IH is a leading global brand of agricultural equipment (tractors, Axial-Flow® combines, etc.), while CASE Construction Equipment manufactures excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, skid steers, and compact track loaders worldwide—continuing a legacy of over 180 years of innovation.
