Massey Ferguson reports that the MF 5610 tractor which spearheaded the gruelling Antarctica2 expedition to the South Pole in December received a hero’s welcome on its return home to the French City of Beauvais.


Members of the the Antarctica2 expedition team and the now-famous MF 5610 tractor which took them to the South Pole and back are welcomed home to Beauvais, France by the Massey Ferguson Beauvais workforce who built the tractor.

Crowds turned out to honour the tractor at special homecoming ceremonies held at the AGCO manufacturing plant where it was designed and built and at the Town Hall where Madame Caroline Cayeux, Mayor of Beauvais welcomed it back on behalf of the City.

“Employees here at Massey Ferguson along with a global audience of millions followed the team’s battle across the ice as news of their exploits unfolded like an adventure story each day. It was exciting and inspiring to see one of the tractors designed and built in this factory making both history and headlines around the world.”


Manon Ossevoort hands back the keys of the Antarctica2 expedition tractor to Richard Markwell Vice President & Managing Director – Massey Ferguson, EAME

Thanking Massey Ferguson for believing in her dream and supporting the expedition with the supply of the MF 5610, Manon said: “It’s feels good to deliver the tractor safely back to its home. We drove it hard for 28 days across 5000 km and, overall, clocked up 760 hours engine running time – that’s more than many farms would do in two years of normal work. Throughout, it was strong, steady and sure – a tribute to the MF staff who design and build the machines here at Beauvais. Thank you for letting me borrow your brilliant tractor!”

After ceremonies at the both main factory and the Beauvais 2 cab assembly line, the tractor made its way under police escort to the Beauvais Town Hall plaza to be greeted by Caroline Cayeux, Mayor of Beauvais.


Left to right: Richard Markwell Vice President & Managing Director –Massey Ferguson, EAME, Nicolas Bachelet - Expedition Mechanic, Simon Foster - Expedition Creative Director, Manon Ossevoort "Tractor Girl" and Expedition Ambassador, Madame Caroline Cayeux, Mayor of Beauvais

“I know I speak for all our citizens in Beauvais when I say that we are brimming with pride to see a tractor produced here reach the South Pole. What an accomplishment!” the Mayor remarked. “Massey Ferguson is an industrial icon in our City and the Antarctica2 achievement is a true testimony to the skills and knowhow of the employees at AGCO Massey Ferguson in Beauvais. Bravo and congratulations from us all.”