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

KESKO PRESS RELEASE 05.08.2015 AT 13.00

Konekesko Ltd., CLAAS, one of the world's leading agricultural machinery manufacturers, have agreed on strengthening their co-operation in Finland and the Baltic states. CLAAS and Konekesko have signed new long-term distribution contracts for all the four countries. As of January 2016, CLAAS distributor Konekesko, 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 8 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 8 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. Konekesko is known for its professional marketing and will ensure top-class service for CLAAS tractors in Finland as well."

Further information:
Jukka Keltto, Line Director, Konekesko Ltd, tel. +358 50 526 4788
Timo Virtanen, President, KonekeskoLtd, tel. +358 50 306 4191
Jens Skifter, Regional Director, CLAAS Global Sales GmbH, tel. +49 1 71 8 67 53 68

Konekesko (www.konekesko.com) is a machinery trade company, focusing on the import, sale and after-sales service of agricultural, construction, materials handling and recreational machinery and trucks and buses. Konekesko operates in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Konekesko's net sales in 2014 were EUR 256million and it employed 440 employees at the end of 2014.

CLAAS (www.claas.com) is a family business founded in 1913 and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery. The company, with corporate headquarters in Harsewinkel, Germany, is the European market leader in combine harvesters. CLAAS is the world leader in another large product group, self-propelled forage harvesters. CLAAS is also a top performer in agricultural technology worldwide, with its tractors, agricultural balers and green harvesting machinery. The CLAAS product portfolio also includes state-of-the-art farming information technology. CLAAS employs around 11,500 workers worldwide and reported a turnover of EUR 3.800 million in the financial year of 2014.