AFGRI Equipment Australia, which has operations in Ghana as well as other Southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia andBotswana has successfully completed the acquisition of fellow John Deere dealership Greenline . 

It gives AFGRI 11 dealerships throughout the Wheatbelt, strengthening its position as the biggest John Deere dealership in the southern hemisphere with a further 28 dealerships throughout Africa.

According to AFGRI operations director,Gollie Coatzee, the company's intent is to increase its footprint in West Africa, opening up speculation for further acquisitions.

Mr Coatzee said short term plans are to consolidate for the next three to four months, focusing on a harvest-ready approach for all branches.

"We'll be talking with farmers in our new districts and assessing their needs," Mr Coatzee said.

"We already have plans to expand staff structures, recruiting new people, particularly in service and the precision side, so that we'll be ready for harvest.

"If other opportunities arise (to acquire more branches), we'll look at them but at this stage we prefer to stick to West Africa."

Mr Coatzee said the Greenline acquisition, which was finalised last Tuesday for an undisclosed sum, will provide greater economies of scale for the company.

"As technology improves and products become more advanced, additional experts in different fields are required," Mr Coatzee said.

"Therefore, economy of scale has become essential and this acquisition will provide AFGRI with the opportunity to align this strategy to its well-established vision of being the preferred supplier of premium agricultural equipment, services and solutions.

"This acquisition will broaden AFGRI's range of products and allow the company to serve larger markets with agricultural and turf equipment."He stated.

AFGRI  has been operating in Ghana for the past 19 years and it is one of the largest South African based companies with expertise in agriculture mechanisation and a huge investment in poultry and animal feed as well as collateral management.

source: Farida Mohammed/ghanaguardian.com