AGCO highlights the role of women in industrial engineering

Celebrated on June 23rd, International Women in Engineering Day reinforces the importance of female presence in technical and strategic areas of industry. In a historically male-dominated environment, women have been gaining ground, leading teams, coordinating strategic projects, and contributing directly to the evolution of industrial processes. 

At AGCO, this transformation can be seen in the career paths of Marina Maletzke and Mariana Peteffi (pictured), engineers who work in the company's factories in Rio Grande do Sul and help drive innovation, efficiency, and development in the industry.

At the Ibirubá (RS) plant, Marina Maletzke is part of the manufacturing engineering area and participates in initiatives related to automation and industrial modernization. Throughout her career, she has assumed strategic responsibilities within the operation and played an important role in projects to expand the factory's production capacity. 

Among the highlights of his career is his participation in the production of the Momentum planter, one of the unit's most complex projects. "More than 60% of the welded assemblies were made robotically to guarantee quality and performance. It was a challenging process because we were expanding the factory at the same time," he recalls. 

For Marina, the presence of women in engineering contributes to more collaborative, innovative, and diverse environments. "At various times I was the only woman on the team. Today, I try to use these experiences to encourage change and create space so that more women feel a sense of belonging in these fields," she says.

In Canoas (RS), Mariana Peteffi leads the area responsible for the efficiency and quality of the tractor export process. At 27 years old, she coordinates a team of about 25 employees and emphasizes that her career path has been built on continuous learning and overcoming challenges.

After starting her career at AGCO as an intern in the continuous improvement area, Mariana worked in different sectors of the company until assuming an industrial leadership role. “In the beginning, I had to deal with questions related to my age and the fact that I was a woman in a leadership position. Over time, I transformed that into motivation to deliver results and strengthen my professional confidence,” she says.

According to Mariana, occupying technical and leadership positions also means paving the way for other women. “I realized that my role could go beyond leadership, but also be a role model so that the female presence in manufacturing becomes increasingly natural, showing that we are all capable, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.”

The career paths of these female engineers reflect a broader AGCO movement focused on strengthening diversity and inclusion in industrial and strategic areas. Currently, women represent 44% of employees with up to one year of service at AGCO South America, a result of initiatives aimed at professional development, leadership training, and increased representation within teams.

“Diversity brings different perspectives to the challenges of the industry and directly contributes to innovation. We seek to build an environment where each professional has room to grow, develop their potential, and contribute to the future of the industry,” says Angélica Kanashiro, Vice President of Human Resources for AGCO in South America and Global Business Partner for Massey Ferguson.