CLAAS and Konekesko strengthen their co-operation in Finland and the Baltic States

CLAAS, one of the world's leading agricultural machinery manufacturers, and Konekesko Ltd., one of the leading machinery trade companies in Finland and the Baltic States have agreed on strengthening their co-operation in Finland and the Baltic states.

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CLAAS and Konekesko have signed new long-term distribution contracts for all the four countries. As of January 2016, CLAAS distributor Konekesko, a subsidiary of the Finnish Kesko Corporation, will begin working exclusively with CLAAS in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in respect of agricultural tractors, combine harvesters, self-propelled forage harvesters, agricultural telehandlers and green line machinery. In addition, CLAAS tractors will be also introduced to the Finnish market as early as October 2015, at the Tampere Trade Show.

Mr. Timo Virtanen, President of Konekesko summarised the result of the agreement: "We will in the future have deeper co-operation with CLAAS in agricultural machinery. As the variety of products on the market grows, focusing on one core brand is a key step which will allow us to operate even more successfully. We have already been enjoying a successful partnership with the family-run company CLAAS for over two decades and we see excellent growth prospects for the future especially in growing Baltic markets."

Mr. Jens Skifter, CLAAS Regional Director, added: "We are continuing to successfully implement our strategy of exclusivity in Europe and we are delighted to be able to continue exclusively with an extremely strong long term CLAAS partner in this region in the form of Konekesko. We see good opportunities to further increase our market share, particularly in the area of tractors. With their market launch in Finland, CLAAS tractors will now be represented in every country of Europe."

Director of the Agricultural Machinery Division of Konekesko, Mr. Jukka Keltto, who will be responsible for implementing the exclusive brand strategy, says: "We are delighted to be able to further strengthen our partnership. CLAAS is already the European leader in harvesting machinery. Over the past 12 years, their tractors have also developed into a true premium brand. Konekesko has already a big number of satisfied CLAAS tractor customers in Baltics. In addition, launching CLAAS tractors in Finland is a great growth opportunity. It does not have any immediate effect to other Konekesko brands in Finland".

CLAAS tractors will make their first appearance in Finland at the agricultural machinery exhibition in Tampere on 8th. October 2015. Mr. Marek Görlich, CLAAS Regional Manager, is looking forward to it:   "Finnish customers have been asking about our tractors more and more for some years now. Soon, the entire CLAAS product range will finally be available there. With the focus on one major brand Konekesko is the best option for professional sales and aftersales business to meet the requirements of our customer.”