GRAPEVINE, TX Kubota Tractor Corporation and The Texas A&M University System announces a strategic venture within its Research and Development program to test equipment performance in various applications within The Texas A&M University System on land and within its testing facilities.

"In keeping with Kubota's global brand statement "˜For Earth, For Life', we have a vested interest in furthering Texas A&M's mission of preparing youth for leadership, responsibility, and service to a global society," said Masato Yoshikawa, President and CEO of Kubota Tractor Corporation. "Through this relationship we are committed to harnessing the research-intensive power of the university system to help improve our agriculture, construction and turf equipment - and, together, our innovations will work to improve people's lives in Texas, across the United States, and all over the world."

The research that Texas A&M students, staff and faculty perform touches on five societal challenges: feeding the world, protecting the environment, improving health, enriching youth, and growing the economy.

Specifically, Kubota will be working with the University to test equipment and  observe performance overall, and to test various field operations within the state-of-the-art research facilities at Texas A&M, including the dynamometer laboratory, temperature control laboratory, and hydraulics flow laboratory. Working together, the endeavor will also provide access to top talent on both sides to make possible new opportunities for student and company growth and overall community impact.

"The Texas A&M University System stands today as one of the largest research university systems in the country," said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. "Teaming up with Kubota in this new venture allows the Texas A&M University System to help leverage the strength of Kubota's brand in the area of innovation and research, while promoting our mission of developing new leaders in exciting and pioneering ways."

Kubota relocated its North American headquarters to Texas earlier this year in direct alignment with the company's strategic business objectives to strengthen Kubota's brand in the U.S. marketplace, and position the company for long-term, sustainable growth in North America. With North Texas as its new home, the company is strategically aligning itself with important organizations such as Texas A&M to further relationships and more deeply plant its roots in the state.