Nelson W. Freeman, Tenneco president, is elected Case board chairman. James L. Ketelsen is named Case president. Tenneco acquires two new divisions, Drott Manufacturing of Wausau, Wisconsin, and Davis Manufacturing of Wichita, Kansas, assigning both to Case. Drott manufactures hydraulic excavators, cranes and straddle carriers. Factory magazine cites the Racine Transmission plant as one of the top factories built in the U.S. this year.
Case achieves equal balance of sales between agricultural and construction equipment products.
Tenneco acquires additional Case common stock to increase holdings to 91 percent. The Old Abe eagle trademark is replaced by a new, more contemporary logo to reflect the company's increased worldwide emphasis on agricultural tractors and construction equipment. This is the largest agricultural tractor ever made by Case. The Uni-Loader compact skid steer loader is acquired from an lowa firm. Shareholders approve consolidation, making Case a wholly owned Tenneco subsidiary.