DealerNews: Dutch distributor buys Manitoba Claas dealerships

A major Dutch farm equipment distributor is buying into the Manitoba equipment business, with deals for genAg and Hepson Equipment.

Royal Reesink has announced that it has strengthened its Canadian branch with the addition of two companies, genAG Inc. and Hepson Equipment Inc., both based in Manitoba, Canada. The first step in Canada came at the end of 2018 with Tingley’s Harvest Center, North America’s largest CLAAS dealer with offices in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“At Royal Reesink, we are constantly looking to grow in partnership with our key suppliers, such as CLAAS,” explains Erwin Ros, Managing Director of Reesink Canada Holdings Inc. “Canada is a stable agricultural market, where there is plenty of ongoing investment. Farmers there are very open to progressive European technology. So it’s been a logical next step to further invest in Canada”.

With the Kehler family retaining a significant ownership share, customers will continue to deal with the same genAG management family. “In Royal Reesink, we have found a business partner who understands the dynamics of agriculture and has a good track record in our sector”, explains the Kehler family, genAG management. The company carries brands such as Claas, Spudnik, Kubota, Horsch and Valley. genAG is regarded as a specialist in the field of potato technology in Manitoba.

Hepson is a well-established company that has been active for 13 years with the sale of JAGUAR forage harvesters from CLAAS, supplemented by other European brands, Kubota and local technology. Sid Patterson and Paul Hepworth, Executive Board of Hepson: “We’re approaching retirement age and wanted to guarantee the continued existence of the company, but also further develop the company. Royal Reesink can play an important role in this”.