Scania buys Trucks & Trailers
SCANIA HAS MADE A HUGE MOVE IN DEVELOPING its presence in New Zealand, with the purchase of the heavy commercial arm of longtime Daimler Trucks dealer Trucks & Trailers.
In a “multi-million-dollar” deal, Scania NZ – with the backing of its global HQ – is to take over the business of seven Trucks & Trailers service centres around the country.
The purchase is “one of Scania’s most significant investments in our global structure this year,” says Scania executive vice president – head of commercial operations Mathias Carlbaum.
On top of the seven Trucks & Trailers sites, Scania will establish an additional workshop in Rotorua.
Carlbaum says NZ especially appealed for an investment of this scale, adding: “During these challenging times, we are taking an important step in our business commitment in NZ, where we see capacity for growth within its local market, to support our NZ customers.”
Scania NZ commenced business on January 1 last year and has been building its presence since then – but managing director Mattias Lundholm says the Trucks & Trailers acqusition is “a massive vote of confidence for the growth and direction of the brand.
“We have increased our market share by 100% in the last year, and now acquiring these centres significantly expands Scania’s footprint across the country. Just as important this move also underlines our commitment to our customers and provincial NZ.
“Globally, Scania has the biggest retail presence of any truck manufacturer – now NZ is proud to be following in those footsteps.”
Lundholm says: “This expansion will lift Scania’s stable of nationwide dealerships to 30, and almost treble its current number of employees to a team of more than 190.”
The deal will become effective from November – with rebranding of the service centres completed before then. In the interim, Lundholm says, Scania customers will continue to be supported by Scania’s independent dealers across its existing network.
He says this deal also represents, and allows for, what will be a significant investment going forward by Scania NZ into the provincial communities where the acquired service centres are located.
“Beyond that, this is also a business decision that sends a powerful message to other global brands about the attractiveness of NZ Inc, with its comparatively strong fundamentals – especially given what is currently happening around the world.”
The deal has been characterised by Trucks & Trailers as it “joining forces” with Scania – owner Mark Wright saying that the company, which has been in existence for more than 30 years, represents much more than a business to his family.
The family, he adds, is “delighted to have been acquired by a premier brand like Scania.
“One of our key motivations for considering this opportunity was to build on what Trucks & Trailers have already proudly achieved in the last 33 years. It is clear our business philosophies, culture and aspirations are very well aligned, and Scania NZ provides the scale and infrastructure to continue this on our behalf over the next 30 years and beyond.”
Lundholm says it was also important for Scania to align with a business that shares its values towards its people, customers and community – and Trucks & Trailers is an ideal fit: “Customers are very happy with Trucks & Trailers and the work they do. The industry sees them as a benchmark.”
T&D