15.10.2020

Manitou dealer switches to Kramer

Manitou’s dealer for East Anglia in the UK, Ben Burgess, is to drop the product line in favour of the Wacker Neuson Kramer brand.

The two companies have confirmed that they will not renew their dealership agreement when it expires at the end of December. Ben Burgess has sold and supported Manitou’s construction and agricultural telehandlers since 2007, however it is also a major John Deere distributor and Kramer’s tie up with the green farm equipment manufacturer seems to have been a pivotal factor in the decision - see: John Deere and Wacker Neuson form strategic alliance.

Manitou is expected to announce the appointment of Thurlow Nunn Standen as a replacement for Burgess. The company is largely an agricultural/horticultural equipment dealer and currently offers Merlo telehandlers and operates from five locations in the region. Manitou UK managing director Mark Ormond was employed by the company in a sales role during the mid 1990s and presumably knows the business well.

Burgess managing director Ben Turner said: “We will continue to sell and support Manitou machines up until the end of 2020. Manitou will appoint a new dealer to cover the trading area from January 2021. We will continue to work as normal for the remainder of 2020, and work together with Manitou from 1st January to ensure a smooth transition to the new dealer.”

Manitou’s Ormond added: “We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Ben Burgess but understand their decision to work with Kramer in future due to its connection with John Deere. We have reached an agreement with a new dealer to cover the area vacated by Ben Burgess from January that will be announced later this week.”

The two parties also stressed that they are parting on amicable terms stating: “Our joint priority is to continue supporting our loyal customers, now and into the future.”