DULUTH, GEORGIA, US — AGCO announced on Dec. 14 the election of Bob De Lange to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

“We are delighted to have Bob join our board of directors,” said Martin Richenhagen, chairman, president and chief executive officer of AGCO Corp. “He brings extensive digitalization and distribution experience, while having leadership roles in the US and internationally. His experience will provide an important perspective and contribution to our board.”

De Lange, 51, is the group president, services, distribution and digital, at Caterpillar Corp., the world's largest construction equipment manufacturer. De Lange joined Caterpillar in 1993 and has held various leadership capacities. In his current role, he is responsible for management of the Caterpillar brand and distribution network. His dealer management role includes both relationship management as well as development of dealer capability and productivity.

Previously, De Lange was Caterpillar’s group president of construction industries, responsible for managing an approximately $20 billion business producing highly engineered, capital intensive products, such as backhoes, excavators, loaders and tractors.

His global experience includes world-wide product management responsibilities with work assignments in Europe and Asia.

De Lange received a bachelor’s of science degree, as well as a master’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium in 1992. He also received a master’s of business administration from the EDHEC University in France in 1993.