In a major new move, Massey Ferguson, a worldwide brand of AGCO (NYSE:AGCO), is significantly strengthening its position in Finland and boosting its Sales, Customer Service and Support network with the appointment of a new distribution partner.

Turun Konekeskus Oy is to take over Sales and Support for the full-line of Massey Ferguson farm machinery products in Finland including tractors, harvesting machinery, hay and forage tools and materials handling equipment. This full-line of products represents the broadest range of Massey Ferguson farm machinery ever available in Finland. The country's farmers will soon be able to buy MF harvesting equipment for the first time in many years, while MF hay and forage tools are completely-new additions to the Massey Ferguson line-up.

With headquarters in Turku, Turun Konekeskus is a highly-experienced full-service machinery distributor. The company has 14 regional sales offices and 26 Dealers located throughout Finland.

Richard Markwell, Massey Ferguson Vice-President and Managing Director, Europe/Africa/Middle East states: “We warmly welcome Turun Konekeskus to the Massey Ferguson family. The company's appointment as our new partner signals a radically new approach to distribution of all MF products in Finland which will have strong appeal to our many customers here. Turun Konekeskus is a totally independent organisation with huge expertise and the ideal partner to spearhead the intensification of our operations in this vitally important market.”

“Massey Ferguson has a long-standing relationship with the Finnish farming community and this is the start of an exciting new era which will cement this close association still further,” he continues. “Our new distribution arrangements dedicated to Massey Ferguson, coupled with our wider product range will give renewed energy and stimulus to the brand in the country. We are set for significant expansion within this competitive marketplace.”

“The Massey Ferguson brand is growing strongly across Europe and we are making major investments in our distribution network,” says Mr Markwell. “This new appointment is part of a dynamic long-term strategy to further reinforce our customer service and ensure an increased availability of exclusive Massey Ferguson expertise.  At the same time, our expanded product range in Finland will give farmers and contractors a far greater choice from the full-line of MF machinery. We are absolutely committed to providing the very best mechanisation solutions and after-sales services to our customers.”

Commenting Pasi Vesamo, Chairman of Turun Konekeskus Oy said: “We are extremely proud to be embarking on this collaboration with Massey Ferguson. The MF brand offers excellent products and, with its strong heritage, is highly respected in the Finnish market. The new agreement gives our company a great opportunity to increase and strengthen our sales and service offer, and achieve ever higher levels of customer satisfaction. As a result of the new partnership, we are already implementing plans to further develop our service network of 26 outlets.”

Turun Konekeskus was established in 1998 and underwent a major expansion in 2004 when it acquired Konefarmi Oy, a specialist in farm and forestry machinery.

In the coming months, key activities in support of Massey Ferguson will include a series of regional sales and marketing events including machinery demonstrations, shows and exhibitions.

The wide-ranging MF equipment line-up now on offer encompasses tractors from 19-400hp; combine harvesters from 176-496hp; large-square, small-square and round balers; hay and forage tools (mowers, rakes and tedders) and telescopic handlers. Two brand-new tractors ranges launched in November 2015 include the MF 4700 cab models which create the new benchmark for multipurpose tractors under 100hp, and the MF 5700 SL Series which introduces a new genre in the 100-130hp tractor segment. The exceptional new features of the MF 5700 SL are already being recognised at high level, with the MF 5713 SL scooping the Tractor of the Year 2016 (Best Utility) Award at the Agritechnica Show in Germany.

“We intend Massey Ferguson to be THE choice of farm machinery for professional farmers and it is our mission to deliver modern, high-performance agricultural equipment solutions which are dependable, easy to use and with the best back-up in the business,” comments Richard Markwell. “We are very excited about our new partnership with Turun Konekeskus which is set to give a major boost to our presence in Finland.”