Diesel engine maker Deutz is stepping up efforts to win business from agricultural vehicle OEMs as part of a strategy to even out demand at its factories.

In its 2016 annual report, Deutz managers note that with ag equipment demand following a different economic cycle than the group’s other main segments — construction equipment and materials handling — expanding sales to farm machinery OEMs would help smooth manufacturing demand.

Last year, at €176.5 million ($190…