Kobelco heads for Iceland

Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe (KCME) is expanding its European dealer network with the appointment of a new authorised dealer partner in Iceland.

Verkfaeri is KCME’s first Icelandic dealer and will be responsible for looking after all Kobelco customers across the country.

Established in 2009, Verkfaeri specialises in groundworks and building construction. As well as offering a wide range of Kobelco construction machinery for sale, the dealership also provides a full-service solution for manufacturers, contractors, agricultural and fishing companies. This includes machine rental, small crane/lift sales, aftersales servicing and specialist support for ophthalmology and surveying.

Although based in the Kópavogur area of Reykjavik, Verkfaeri’s support teams are said to be well equipped to help customers across the whole of Iceland. Some of its customers currently include Ístak, which is operating an SK10 in the centre of Reykjavik, and Gröfuþjónusta Þomars, which is using an ED160BR-5 in a remote area of Rangárvallasýsla.

Verkfaeri managing director Ólafur Baldursson said, “I was first interested in Kobelco Construction Machinery in 2013, but at that time, the construction industry in Iceland was still very small.

“Four years later, I am pleased that we now have the opportunity to add Kobelco to our product range – the quality and workmanship of the Japanese brand is second to none, and all my customers are very happy with the machinery.”

Philippe Le Bourhis, general manager for the EU, Maghreb (western North Africa), Russia and CIS sales and field marketing department, added, “Iceland has recovered very well from the crisis of 2009, and the construction section, in particular, is seeing positive and extensive growth.”

In additional to this new appointment, KCME has recruited dealers in Italy, Slovenia, Israel, Guadeloupe and Martinique and Finland since January 2017.