Trade mission helps secure contracts

Short-term advantage from economic nationalism may be tempting but Russia should resist and focus on the benefits of globalisation and foreign investment, the CBI's director-general Richard Lambert said on his first official visit to Russia. The speech formed part of an official two-day visit to promote trade and investment, headed by DTI Secretary of State Alistair Darling. Lambert is leading the senior-level business delegation accompanying Darling, which is taking part in wide-ranging discussions with Russian Ministers and industry leaders. And on the visit, JCB announced two multi-million pound orders with major Russian companies. The company’s European Russia dealer Lonmadi JSC – based in Moscow – has secured a deal worth more than £2 million with Moscow electricity supplier MUEK (Moskovskaya upravlyayushaya energosetevaya kompaniya) for 3CX and 4CX backhoe loaders, wheeled excavators and a Robot skid steer loader. MUEK already owns more than 30 JCB machines, all supplied and serviced by Lonmadi JSC from their base in Moscow. A contract for the order was officially signed in Moscow in the presence of Alistair Darling; Alexander Kozakov, managing director of MUEK; Tim Burnhope, deputy managing director of JCB sales and Sergey Maslenikov, managing director of Lonmadi JSC. Tim Burnhope said: “We are delighted that MUEK has placed a new order for JCB machines. It is a great compliment to the quality and robustness of our products that the company has selected us as their supplier to support their vital role in keeping Moscow supplied with electricity. It is also testament to Lonmadi JSC’s excellent service back-up and professionalism that MUEK has returned to JCB for further machines in 2007.” The additional order also announced during the visit has been placed with Lonmadi JSC by St. Petersburg-based company Akros. The contract – worth at least £10 million is to supply a range of machines, including excavators, backhoe loaders, telescopic handlers and wheeled loading shovels. Akros is a growing and ambitious company established in 2000. The company works in civil, road and industrial construction. Akros is focused on the emerging rental business in North West Russia. Akros bought 30 JCB machines in 2006. Akros places great emphasis on the quality of JCB equipment and Lonmadi JSC’s back-up service. Akros’s rental fleet is based on JCB backhoe loaders, excavators and also telescopic handlers, which are still new on the Russian market. Meanwhile JCB and Lonmadi JSC are very pleased to announce that they have supplied a new JCB generator to the Kitezk Children’s Community, a charitable organisation established to help orphans and children in crisis.