Kässbohrer strengthens Scandinavian market leadership

Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG, with its PistenBully, is the market leader for ski slope and trail preparation vehicles worldwide. To expand its product range, the Company has taken over a Finnish competitor. For more than 40 years now, the company has been developing vehicles for preparing cross-country ski runs and ski slopes which are marketed under the name Formatic.

In Scandinavia, Formatic enjoys a market share of around 25%. In contrast, this figure is just under 5% altogether in Europe. For this reason, the Formatic vehicles are still built at the company’s site in Finland, further strengthening the market leadership in Scandinavia. The Scandinavian market is one of the most important, accounting for around 13% of the European market. From June the 2nd 2008, the Formatic vehicles will be marketed and serviced by Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug’s established sales and service organisation. This will be a decided advantage for the customers who will also benefit from the global sales and service organisation of Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG when buying a Formatic.

Both contracting parties have agreed to stay silent about the purchase price. The company was previously managed by the founder’s two sons. One of the two sons – Tore Carlson – is responsible for Formatic´s development and will continue to manage the company under the new owner. This also ensures continuity in corporate management for Formatic customers.