Europe’s largest service center for agricultural machinery inaugurated

• A total of EUR 11 million invested
• Named as “Service Center of the Year“ by John Deere
• Improved proximity to existing customers and access to numerous potential new customers

Walldorf, 16 July 2013 – Ekoniva-Technika, Russia’s leading distributor of international agricultural machinery and a subsidiary of the German Ekotechnika GmbH, has opened Europe’s largest service center for agricultural machinery in the Russian town of Detchino (Kaluga region). Comprising more than 7,000 square meters of space, the new center allows for an extensive presentation and professional marketing of agricultural machinery supported by comprehensive after sales and field services. The location will also serve as the new head office of the Ekoniva-Technika Group.

The opening of the service center for agricultural machinery was celebrated on 4 July in the presence of some 500 visibly impressed guests from all over Europe, including representatives of suppliers, banks, partner companies as well as numerous farmers from the region and from all over the Russian Federation. Also in attendance were Anatoly Artamonov, Governor of the Kaluga region and Arne Bergmann, General Manager of John Deere Russia, who had brought along an award naming the new location as John Deere & Co.’s global “Service Center of the Year“. John Deere is the world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural machines and Ekotechnika’s single most important supplier. The opening ceremony was followed by a varied programme including a machinery parade, guided tours, entertainment acts and auctions.

The size and the facilities of the new location are equally impressive. An approx. 900 square meter workshop area allows simultaneous work on up to 14 major agricultural machines. Holding approx. 160,000 parts, the new spare parts center will serve both as a regional and as the central warehouse in the future. The attached training center takes professional training in the Detchino region to new levels. Four workshops permit the simultaneous training of up to 100 people. They are primarily used to train customers in the efficient operation and proper maintenance of modern agricultural equipment. In addition, the company’s own staff will attend professional further education programmes here. In total, Ekotechnika invested some 450 million roubles, or about 11 million euros, in this flagship project. About 260 employees of the Group will work at the new center.

Wolfgang Bläsi, Managing Director of Ekotechnika GmbH: “In Detchino, we have created perfect conditions for selling our full range of equipment, technologies and products. The new center supports our philosophy of getting closer to our partners and customers and to particularly increase our presence and range of services in areas with a higher need for modern agricultural technology.”

About Detchino, Kaluga

Detchino is located 150 km southwest of Moscow in the Kaluga region, an important agricultural area in Russia. Moreover, numerous international companies are based in Kaluga. Plants of leading western manufacturers of agricultural equipment such as Lemken, Grimme, Big Dutchman and Wolf System are located in the direct vicinity of the new Ekotechnika Center. The new center thus gives many existing local customers faster and wider access to the range of services offered by Ekoniva-Technika. In addition, the region gives the Group access to numerous potential new customers.

Visuals of the event are available in the picture section of this website.