John Buhler, the visionary farm equipment entrepreneur who founded Buhler Industries—makers of Versatile tractors and Farm King equipment—passed away on Dec. 21.
Buhler, 91, had experienced a stroke in the last few weeks, according to reporting by CBC.
He originally acquired Standard Gas Engine Works in Morden, Manitoba in 1969, and renamed it Farm King Limited.
Under his leadership, the company expanded significantly, growing to operate seven manufacturing plants across Canada and the U.S., including the acquisition of the Versatile division of New Holland in 2000.
The company employed over 800 people, producing tractors and agricultural equipment under the Versatile, Farm King, and Allied brands. The company’s main tractor plant in Winnipeg—Canada’s only tractor manufacturing facility—has built more than 100,000 high horsepower tractors over the past five decades.
The largest Russian agriculture equipment manufacturer, Rostselmash, purchased 80 per cent of Buhler Industries from Buhler for $145 million in 2007, and acquired his remaining shares for $12.3 million in 2021.
Buhler and his wife, Bonnie, were well-known philanthropists, making significant donations to hospitals, schools, music organizations, and sports facilities throughout Manitoba. Several of these facilities bear the Buhler name.
The University of Manitoba, which awarded Buhler an honourary degree in 2011, released a statement acknowledging his passing. The university described him as “a visionary Winnipeg businessman and generous philanthropist whose legacy will resonate for generations.”
Buhler Industries’ Russian ownership came under scrutiny with Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014 and Ukraine in 2021. Rostselmash sold the company to Turkish manufacturer Basak Traktor for $60.5 million in December 2023.
