14.06.2011

Ruthmann takes over Time Deutschland Versalift

German platform manufacturer Ruthmann has taken over Hanover-based Time Deutschland Versalift GmbH with immediate effect. The deal covers new and used equipment sales as well as the spare parts and customer service functions of Time Deutschland Versalift in Germany and Austria.

The company which has been present in Germany for more than 30 years will remain as an independent entity with its current management and staff. Ruthmann says that the product support strengths of the two companies are different and that they will work together to provide an improved service for both product lines.
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( L -R) Uwe Strotmann - MD Time Deutschland, Per Torp -Time Export, Ruthmann CEO Rolf Kulawik and Jess Andreasen of Time International

The move follows the appointment of Time Denmark as Ruthmann distributor for the Danish market in April. Click here to See Time distributes Ruthmann in Denmark

Vertikal Comment

This is an unexpected and unusual move on the part of Time, the two manufacurers have some considerable overlap at the bottom end of the work height range. They compete in the German municipality market although each has its own strengths.

The deal certainly makes sense for Ruthmann but puts Time/Versalift sales at risk, unless as one must assume, the contract details call for greater co-operation between Time and Ruthmann, with the latter focusing its efforts on its mid to large truck mounted range while using the Versalift product to cover the smaller and more specialised part of the market.

If so this could work well for both parties and who knows – if it goes really well and spread to other markets where Time has its own operations, perhaps one will eventually take over the other??