Canadian firm acquires Finnish Dealership

The competition was fierce between Canada and Finland during the recent winter Olympics ice hockey competition, but a more friendly machinery business relationship between the two hockey strong countries is blossoming in Finland.

We recently received the news that Canadian construction and mining machinery retailer SMS Equipment has expanded its operations to Finland by acquiring the well-known construction and mining machinery retailer Suomen Rakennuskone Oy a great company that I know very well from my numerous visits to Finland.

This acquisition will bring SMS Equipment's renowned international expertise to the Finnish market to support the operations of Suomen Rakennuskone Oy. The well-known Komatsu and other equipment brands dealer, will retain its operational name and corporate structure.

“This acquisition marks an important step in our long-term strategy, combining two strong companies with shared values ​​and a customer-centric approach,” says Robin Heard, CEO of SMS Equipment.

SMS Equipment is the world's largest independent Komatsu dealer, offering comprehensive solutions that combine world-class machines, advanced technical integration, parts, service and support tailored to customers' individual operational needs.

With this acquisition, SMS Equipment will expand its operations into Europe, marking a significant milestone in its international growth.

Global expertise to complement local knowledge

“We want to be an even better partner for our customers in Finland in the future, offering diverse and comprehensive solutions and services in all of Suomen Rakennuskone’s business areas,” says the company’s new CEO, Jared Collins.

SMS Equipment is headquartered in Acheson, Alberta, Canada. In addition to Canada, SMS operates in Alaska, USA, under the name SMS Equipment Inc., and in Mongolia, under the name Transwest Mongolia LLC. The company now has a total of over 45 locations in Canada, Alaska, Mongolia and Finland.

Jared Collins has been appointed as the new CEO of Suomen Rakennuskone Oy and will join the company's Finnish management team. He will be based at Suomen Rakennuskone's headquarters in Pirkkala.

“Expanding into a new market area gives us the opportunity to combine strengths and share global best practices, and continue to provide the quality service that our customers expect. I believe that we have a lot to give to Suomen Rakennuskone, but at the same time we certainly have something to learn.

I have already noticed things and practices here in Finland that we can potentially implement in our other areas of operation,” says Jared Collins.

Jared Collins brings to Suomen Rakennuskone Oy the operational expertise, strong leadership and customer focus he has acquired during his nine years at SMS Equipment. Prior to his new role as CEO, he served as the Director of Remote Mining Canada. In total, Collins has 27 years of experience operating in challenging mining and construction environments.

Two Komatsu dealers in one

Suomen Rakennuskone Oy is one of Finland's leading earthmoving and mining machinery dealers, offering comprehensive solutions for construction, material handling and mining (including sales, service, spare parts, training and technical support). The company's headquarters are located in Pirkkala and it also has offices in Kempele, Kuopio, Vantaa and Kevitsa.

Suomen Rakennuskone Oy is the exclusive distributor of Komatsu mining and construction machinery in Finland.

“SMS Equipment has decades of experience in developing diverse technical solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments,” says Collins. “In Finland, we combine this international expertise, world-class machinery and advanced digital solutions with Suomen Rakennuskone Oy’s over 30 years of experience in the industry.”

"We want to be an even better partner for our customers here in Finland in the future, offering diverse and comprehensive solutions and services in all areas of Finnish Construction Machines," concludes Collins.

I am already looking forward to meeting Mr Collins when I am back in Finland in April for the Mansen Mörinät event, where a visit to Suomen Rakennuskone Oy is always an essential starting point on my tour.

We thank our friends at Konepörssi for this article and some images which I have adapted for the Digger Man Blog.

Checkout our walkaround video from a visit to the Pirkkala facility some two years ago.