Valtra reinforces sales in Sweden and Norway
11.04.2001Partek's subsidiary Valtra and its long-standing partner Lantmännen will set up a joint company, Valtra Traktor Ab, for sales of Valtra tractors in Sweden. The current Valtra Traktor Ab based in Eskilstuna, Sweden is the core of the new company.
The restructuring will include the transfer of some thirty tractor salesmen from Lantmännen to Valtra Traktor AB, who will specialise exclusively in Valtra’s products. Lantmännen’s network will continue to run the tractors’ maintenance and spare-part services.
The ownership in Valtra Traktor Ab will change so that Svenska Lantmännen, Kalmar Lantmän and Norbottens Lantmän will hold 60 percent of the company, while Valtra Oy Ab will have a 40 percent stake. The company’s net sales are estimated at nearly EUR 80 million. Ray West will continue as the Managing Director, and operations with the plant in Suolahti, Finland will remain unchanged. The operations of the new sales company are planned to begin on 1 July 2001. The transaction is subject to the approval of the Swedish competition authorities.
In Norway Valtra has from the beginning of April changed to direct sales of tractors, which is the system used also in Finland. The sales force is now directly on Valtra Norge A/S’s payroll. Private entrepreneurs specialising in Valtra’s tractors are in charge of maintenance, and spare parts operations are run by Valtra Traktor based in Eskilstuna.
‘The purpose of the restructuring in Sweden and Norway is to bring our sales and maintenance services closer to customers. Our salespeople are specialised in tractors and can help customers fully utilise Valtra’s unique customer-order system’, says Mr Jouko Tukiainen, President of Valtra.
Valtra is the fifth largest tractor producer in the world. Valtra’s net sales in 2000 amounted to EUR 671.1 million and the staff to 2,358 people. Valtra has tractor plants in Finland and Brazil.
Partek Corporation
For further information please contact:
Jouko Tukiainen, President, Valtra Inc., tel. +358 (0)400 640 927
Hannu Niskanen, Vice President, Communications, Valtra, tel. +358 (0)400 641 723
Paul Lönnfors, IR Manager, Partek, tel. +358 (0)204 55 4842
Partek supplies mobile logistical solutions for customers in the transportation sector, industry and primary production. Partek"s net sales in 2000 totalled EUR 2.5 billion, over 80 percent of which is generated outside Finland. Partek employs 13,000 people.
www.partekcorp.com
www.valtra.fi
