AVR acquired Underhaug potato planter activities from TKS group

AVR bvba, manufacturer of agricultural machinery for potato production, recently announced that negotiations between AVR and TKS led to an agreement whereby AVR acquired the potato planter activities from Underhaug / TKS as of April 10, 2012.

AVR is a Belgian manufacturer specialized in the field of machinery for potato production.

The Norwegian company TKS acquired in the past the potato machinery activities from Dunor/Kverneland.   The deal between TKS and AVR includes all activities and intellectual property rights related to the planters. The harvester activity is not included in this agreement.  Both parties have decided not to communicate about the terms and conditions.

Tonnes H. Kverneland, Underhaugs general  manager declares: "As previously published in the press, TKS has recently decided to make the potato business up for sale. The strong position of the Norwegian Krone against the other currencies, made the production of potato machinery no longer a profitable activity within this export-driven market.  Underhaug is very pleased to have found with AVR a suitable partner for the acquisition of this planter business. The customers of Underhaug know they can rely on a strong, high quality supplier, having the knowledge in-house for a further development  of this successful product line. "

Stefan Top, General Manager of AVR bvba: "The acquisition of this division fits perfectly within AVRs strategy to become a full-line supplier for the potato field machinery.  AVR responds to the market trend towards cultivation / plant combinations, supporting with this acquisition our existing department of spring machines.  We are convinced that, using the know-how within Underhaug and AVR, we will acquire with this product line a solid position among the suppliers of potato planters. AVR  will discuss with Miedema to continue its long-term cooperation in a constructive way. "

After the successful  year 2011 AVR hopes, with this acquisition, to persevere its steady growth in the coming years. It will continu to focus  on product quality and  production capacity. Mid-2011 AVR bvba took over the buildings from AVR Tools NV. This hall with an area of ??5000 m² was converted to a production hall for the spring equipment and haulm toppers.  Within this hall AVR will also start-up the production of the planters.

AVR, will produce  all existing models of planters of Underhaug, with the exception of the 4 row 3-point linked machine.  The introduction of the AVR planters is scheduled for spring 2013. AVR will make full use of the existing sales channels of AVR and Underhaug.

Underhaug will for the next 2 years provide spare parts and service support for the existing market.