Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd to Relinquish Rammer Franchise

Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd, the sole UK importer of Rammer products for the past 10 years, has decided to relinquish the franchise following the rebranding of Rammer's range of hydraulic hammers and attachments as Sandvik Mining and Construction products.   The decision reflects the fact that Sandvik and Metso Minerals compete in many other market sectors.

Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd, the sole UK importer of Rammer products, has announced that it is to relinquish the world-leading franchise effective 31 July 2007 following the decision by Rammer's parent company, Sandvik Mining and Construction, to rebrand the Rammer range as Sandvik.   This decision, which was announced at Bauma, places Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd in the difficult position of having to market a brand with which it competes in the construction and mining sectors.  

"In the past 10 years that we have sold and supported Rammer products in the UK, we have always given a 100 percent commitment to the products," explains Alan Matchett, Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd Rammer business line manager.   "However, Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd is primarily a supplier of construction & mining systems and solutions, a market in which Sandvik is a major competitor.   The rebranding of Rammer and its further absorption into Sandvik Mining and Construction has, therefore, made our position untenable."

"Having discussed this situation in great detail with Sandvik, both parties have reluctantly come to the decision that Metso Minerals can no longer distribute Sandvik hydraulic hammers, booms and demolition attachments in the UK and have agreed that our current arrangement will end on 31^st July 2007," Matchett continues.   "Between now and then we will continue to fully supply, support and promote the product; we will be at both SED in May and Hillhead at the end of June. The plan is that both parties work towards a fully seamless changeover to Sandvik Mining and Construction Limited in Coventry, who will take over from us at the end of July."

Matchett also says that the established Rammer UK dealer network will remain in place.   "As Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd, our relationship with the UK Rammer dealers will end at the same time that we relinquish the franchise," he concludes.   "But it is of paramount importance to both us and to Sandvik that current UK Rammer dealers do not lose from this change.   Both parties are, therefore, committed to maintaining continuity of all aspects of current arrangements."

Further Information:
Alan Matchett, Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd.  
Tel:  01788 532100 
Adam Orr, Sandvik Mining and Construction Limited.  Tel: 02476 476300