Matbro design rights bought by John Deere
Matbro design rights bought by John Deere
By Andy Collings
AS EXPECTED, John Deere has purchased the design rights to manufacture Matbro telescopic handlers – both rigid and pivot steer – for, it is reported, a sum of £7m. Deere says it is to set up a manufacturing base at one of its European plants – although the time scale of such production has yet to be decided.
Hand in hand with the announcement comes news that production of Matbro-built telescopics will cease. It follows that, with John Deeres intention to market telescopic loaders only through its own dealer network, there are some changes to be reckoned with at dealer level.
For New Holland dealers, a large number of which held a Matbro franchise, the news, although disappointing, will not be all bad.
With New Holland about to launch its own telescopic loader within the next few months and clearly looking for brand loyalty, John Deeres intervention could be seen as an almost timely event.
Meanwhile, for existing Matbro loader owners fears that parts, service and warranty functions will not be honoured have been allayed by a statement from Powerscreen – of which Matbro is a subsidiary.
In a statement to the dealer trade, the company says it will continue to provide such services to existing users of Matbro equipment from its Tetbury base.
Bigger capacity for the new JCB 540-70 Loadall Farm Special. Lift capacity is now rated at 4t and at 3.75m forward reach, 1.5t.