Driving impression: In October 1998, Claas completed the inevitable when it finally dropped the Sanderson yellow from its telehandler colour chart. Now clothed in Claas green and white, today’s Teleporter line-up comprises six main models with lift heights of 5.3m to 7m. Andrew Faulkner drives the flagship 975
Claas has come out off the telehandler closet, at last. The German company has been steadily increasing its influence on the Sanderson Teleporter ever since it bought a 50% stake in the product back in July 1996. But over the past three years, that input has almost been furtive, with both the Sanderson name and bright yellow livery retained, even though Claas is now 100% owner of both the machine and its production.
Still, there was good reason for this
softly, softly approach: Sanderson was a proven name in the UK and already had an established dealer network.
Today, however, the proverbial gloves are off. Recent changes in the UK’s distribution chain – JCB has removed its Loadall/Fastrac franchise from Claas dealers, and many former Sanderson/New Holland dealers now sell New Holland’s Manitou-built machine – have prompted Claas into expanding its own network and setting up co-operative arrangements, such as the one with Finnish tractor maker Valtra (builder of the Valmet brand).
For more up-to-date farming news click here and subscribe now to profi and save
