Written by John Swire
Väderstad AB, one of the world’s leading companies in tillage, seeding and planting has acquired 100 percent of North Daktota-based Agco-Amity JV LLC (AAJV). AAJV – also known under the name Wil-Rich – will be fully integrated into the Väderstad global group of companies under the company name Vaderstad Inc.
Since 2011 AAJV has manufactured, designed, and supported the Wil-Rich, Wishek and Concord brands of products with 270 dealers globally, most of them in the United States. Integrating AAJV into the Väderstad Group allows Väderstad to gain access to distribution outlets in the USA, a manufacturing facility in the USA as well as benefit from the heritage and strong reputation of the Wil-Rich, Wishek and Concord brands.
“This acquisition is in line with our long-term ambition to grow on the North American market. AAJV has a strong position on the US market combined with a product portfolio that gives us a more complete product offering in North America,” says Väderstad president and CEO Mats Båverud.
AAJV has 110 employees and a manufacturing facility of 30 000 m2, a parts distribution warehouse, and a research and development facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota.
“We see this as an excellent opportunity to increase our footprint in the US. Our vision remains the same; to be the world’s leading partner for an outstanding emergence. With the acquisition of AAJV we’re even more excited about the future,” says Väderstad VP business development and co-owner Henrik Gilstring.
AAJV currently has a strong product line serving a broad range of tillage and seeding needs such as field cultivators, disc harrows, shank drills, disc drills and air carts.
“This is a great day for the company, the Wahpeton community and our employees,” says AAJV’s CEO Keith Whitaker. “The combination of our highly skilled team and Väderstad’s solid and extensive experience will enable the company to provide a broad set of agronomic solutions for our farmer customers, while achieving our growth objectives with our dealer partners.”
Jason Strobbe is appointed new managing director for Vaderstad Inc. Strobbe also holds a position as VP sales and marketing North America.
In 2013 Väderstad took full control over Canadian-based company Seed Hawk, after having been part-owners since 2006. The company based out of Langbank, Saskatchewan, is now Väderstad Industries Inc. and produces the very popular Seed Hawk precision air drill for the North American market.
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