December 11th 1999

Pottinger acquires shares in Rabe

By Jim Breen

Pottinger is set to market Rabe seed drills in its own colours.

This follows Pottinger's acquisition of 25% of the shares in Rabe-werk Seed Drill Technologies, the seed drill manufacturing division of Rabe.

Traynors in Clonmel are the main distributors for Pottinger in Ireland. IAM market Rabe equipment here. The deal, which gives Pottinger access to Rabe seed drills means similar drills will be available from both distributors in appropriate colours. This follows a long tie-up between Pottinger and Rabe over the years. For example, some Pottinger plough components were sourced from Rabe and vice versa. Frames, which formed part of Pottinger 6m folding power harrows, were also sourced from Rabe. Lemkin has also been involved with this tie-up.

Traynors indicate that they will be focusing on the pneumatic combination drills initially, although the rapid drill (no-plough) systems from Rabe may have potential for the Irish market.