Renault Agriculture Ltd has today advised its UK dealers and staff that its operations in the UK will, from 1st October 2004, be merged with Claas UK Ltd.
This decision results in the following:-
Premises
• The Shipston upon Stour premises will cease to be the Renault HQ but will become a retail branch of Western Harvesters (the Claas owned dealer with branches at Bibury, Pewsey, Frome and Dorchester).
Dealers
• Cancellation notices have been issued to all Renault UK dealers advising that tractors under the Renault brand and livery will cease to be marketed in the UK following their 12 month contractual notice period.
Claas Tractors
• From 1st September 2004, Claas will market tractors from their Le Mans factory under the Claas brand and livery.
• Claas tractors will be marketed by all existing Claas dealers, on a non-exclusive basis, alongside the other tractor brands which they currently represent.
• In addition, discussions have begun with 22 current Renault dealers (15 Agriculture, 7 non-Agriculture) for them to convert from Renault tractors to Claas tractors, and in some cases to also become dealers for the Claas trailed hay and forage equipment.
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Ongoing Support
• Dealers serving out their notice period with Renault will continue to receive full Parts, Warranty and Service support from the Shipston premises.
• Dealers moving to Claas, and current Claas dealers in respect of tractors will, from 1st September 2004, be fully supported by the Claas organisation at Saxham (Suffolk) and Newbridge (Scotland).
Staff
• All but four of the existing Renault staff have been offered ongoing employment with Claas. All Sales, Service, Technical and Training personnel remain in place to support existing Renault dealers and customers, alongside the new Claas tractor range.
