(BUSINESS WIRE) -- AGCO today announced new regional leadership responsibilities in the Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME), Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) and Eastern Europe & Asia (EEA) regions. The announced changes will be effective on January 1, 2012.

"AGCO continues to focus on global growth as we invest and expand across geographies," said Martin Richenhagen, Chairman, President and CEO of AGCO. "These upcoming changes in regional leadership are part of AGCO's global growth strategy and facilitate the development of AGCO's business opportunities across our diverse regions."

Gary Collar, currently Senior Vice President and General Manager, EAME/ANZ, will assume responsibility for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region as Senior Vice President and General Manager, APAC. Hubertus Muehlhaeuser, currently Senior Vice President, Strategy & Integration and General Manager, EEA, will be responsible for the EAME region, including Eastern Europe, as Senior Vice President and General Manager, EAME.

Mr. Muehlhaeuser will continue to retain responsibility for AGCO's Information Technology division. AGCO's Strategy & Integration group, established by Mr. Muehlhaeuser in 2005, will transition to the leadership of Andy Beck, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Beck will also take responsibility for the AGCO Sisu Power engine business, which was formerly part of Mr. Muehlhaeuser's responsibilities.

In his new role, Mr. Collar and his team will further strengthen AGCO's regional presence in Asia and continue to manage the growth and development of the China and India business while retaining his current responsibilities for Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Collar joined AGCO in 2002 as Vice President, Challenger Worldwide Market Development and has been Senior Vice President and General Manager since 2004 when he took responsibility for EAME and the East Asia Pacific Region. Through his leadership the EAME regional team has driven growth and margin improvement, built dealer relationships, developed the business in Central Europe and expanded AGCO's harvesting business with the acquisition of Laverda and Fella. In January 2012, Mr. Collar will relocate to AGCO's newly established regional headquarters in Beijing, China.

Mr. Muehlhaeuser joined AGCO in 2005 as Senior Vice President, Strategy & Integration, establishing AGCO's strategic business planning and implementation process which has helped drive the organic growth of the organization. Mr. Muehlhaeuser later assumed additional responsibilities for IT and the AGCO Sisu Power engine business. Since 2009, he has also led AGCO's business in Eastern Europe and Asia through the development of this rapidly evolving region.