Romania’s 100th Valtra

10/24/2006

“We acquired a Valtra T190 for ploughing, drilling and all our other field work. Included in the same package with the tractor was an Agrolux six-furrow reversible plough. Previously we only had four old 65-horsepower local UTB tractors and one 120-horsepower western tractor,” says Arpad Szekely.

Arpad estimates that his new Valtra will be used 1200 hours a year. The farm is a member of a marketing network representing other regional farms. As the price of grain is low, the farm’s 4000 pigs play an important role in the business. The animals are bought from another member farm when they are small and raised until they can be slaughtered at around 110 kilos.

The Szekely farm business employee five people. Angelica and Arpad’s son is also interested in running the farm, so the farm will mostly like remain in the family. The long-term goal is to increase its size. “I believe 500 to 1000 hectares would be good. Fields here are easily available, as many smaller and older farms are being sold off,” Arpad explains.

One hundred Valtra tractors in three years

Romania’s Valtra importer Valtec started up as recently as December 2003. The T190 delivered to the Szekely farm represents the 100th Valtra tractor that the importer has sold. In less than three years Valtec has made Valtra the third most popular tractor brand in Romania. Valtec’s director Narcis Somesfalean has previous work experience with Valtra sales company in France.

“The EU programme has helped Romanian farmers purchase new tractors this year. Next year will no doubt be tougher without this aid. In the long-term the future looks good, as Romania is one of the biggest agricultural countries among the new EU members,” says Somesfalean.

The secret behind Valtec’s success is good customer service. The importer is currently constructing a brand new customer service centre. Valtec also grants its customers Gold and Silver loyal customer cards, which offer discounts on items such as fuel and insurance. The scheme also helps to ensure the use of high-quality fuel in the new tractors.

To celebrate the 100th Valtra tractor in Romania, Somesfalean and the Szekelys visited the Suolahti tractor plant and the Sisu Diesel engine plant. Angelica and Arpad liked what they saw: “Both factories were amazing. They are on a totally different level than Romania’s only tractor plant, which we have also visited.”

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