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Russian Combines Are Coming
It won't be tomorrow, and it may not even be next year, but Russian combines will soon be seen on American cropland. The purchase by Rostselmash of 80 percent of Canada-based Buhler Industries opens the door to combine sales here. The purchase was primarily to expand sales of Versatile tractors and other Buhler product lines in the Russian market. However, the opportunity exists, a spokesman acknowledges, to introduce Rostselmash combines here as well.
"The new owners are still evaluating the market to see if it fits into their five to seven year strategy," says Adam Reed, manager, Advertising and Communications, Buhler. "They are looking at our distribution channel, parts network and the competitive market. The last thing you want to do is introduce a new product and not have the support system in place."
Rostselmash combines are not totally new to Canada. Visitors to the Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina last summer got a good look at the Vector combine, marketed in Canada by Python Mfg.
It's a low cost, lower power unit compared to many on the market, though the company recently introduced two larger models in Russia. These larger combines would be the likely exports to the North American market.
Reed describes the Rostselmash combine line as a value proposition without all the bells and whistles of competitive units. He likens them to Versatile tractors, known for power and ease of service. As an example, he cites Versatile tractors as GPS ready, but without in-house GPS technology.
If Rostselmash should introduce combines itself, Reed says they will be available through Buhler dealers. In the meantime, he says, increased production of Versatile tractors at its Winnipeg plant to serve Rostselmash's 200-dealer network is expected. "That will better serve the North American market as well," he says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Buhler Industries, 1260 Clarence Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 1T2 (ph 204 661-8711; fax 204 654-2503; info@buhler.com; www.buhler.com).


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2008 - Volume #32, Issue #1