New bidders for Tractorul

After difficulties emerged in the takeover of Tractorul Brasov by the Italian company Landini, new interested parties have entered negotiations for the acquisition of one of the few independent tractor producers in South-East Europe. The State Assets Resolution Authority (AVAS) recently met with representatives of a Romanian consortium of the top 15 farmers in Romania to discuss the sale of the controlling interests in Tractorul Brasov. “It is clear that Landini is procrastinating at the moment, and for this reason our experts are in talks with representatives of the Romanian consortium and other tractor makers like Mahindra (India), Same Deutz (Italy) and Sanko (Turkey). We will make a decision as regards the new Tractorul shareholder in two or three weeks’ time at the most,” said Mircea Ursache, AVAS chairman. The Romanian interested parties are thought to include Ioan Niculae (InterAgro chairman), Adrian Porumboiu (Comcereal Vaslui chairman), Ion Poenaru (Agrofarm Fetesti), Jihad Ibahim and Culita Tarata (Insula Mare a Brailei), Mihai Anghel (Cerealcom Craiova chairman) and Marian Bucur (owner of 10,000 ha farm in Facaeni). ZF