Scania’s multimillion-dollar commitment to NZ
Scania New Zealand says it is committed to provincial parts of the country after revealing plans to expand its dealer network with eight more workshops.
The company has bought seven Trucks & Trailers service centres in what it describes as “one of the largest investments in the global brand for 2020” and an extra workshop will be established in Rotorua.
The multimillion-dollar expansion is the largest strategic play by Scania NZ since the Swedish truck manufacturer started operating here nearly two years ago.
Under the deal, which will be effective from November, its workforce will nearly treble to 190 staff and its number of dealerships nationwide will increase to 30.
Mathias Carlbaum, Scania executive vice-president – head of commercial operations, says New Zealand appealed for an investment of such scale.
“This is one of Scania’s most significant investments in our global structure this year,” he explains. “During these challenging times, we are taking an important step in our business commitment in New Zealand where we see capacity for growth within its local market, to support our New Zealand customers.”
New Zealand has a small but competitive truck market, with more than 20 companies competing to sell about 2,000 heavy trucks a year.
Mattias Lundholm, managing director of Scania NZ, says the company had its best sales month in June and increased its market share by 100 per cent in the past 12 months.
He adds the deal will allow for significant future investment by Scania NZ into the provincial communities where the new locations are based.
“Acquiring these centres significantly expands Scania’s footprint across the country,” he adds. “Just as important this move also underlines our commitment to our customers and provincial New Zealand.
“Globally, Scania has the biggest retail presence of any truck manufacturer – now New Zealand is proud to be following in those footsteps.”
Trucks & Trailers is a family-owned company with more than 30 years’ experience in the New Zealand transport industry.
Owner Mark Wright says it is more than a business to his family and they are delighted to be acquired by 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,” explains Wright. “It is clear our business philosophies, culture and aspirations are very well aligned, and Scania New Zealand provides the scale and infrastructure to continue this on our behalf over the next 30 years and beyond.”
