Lockwood becomes first US-based distributor for Belgian equipment company

Lockwood Manufacturing is now Belgian equipment company AVR Machinery’s first official U.S.-based distributor.

Lockwood will distribute AVR equipment in North Dakota and Minnesota, with planned inventory directly available through Lockwood’s North Valley Equipment dealership in Grafton, N.D., according to a news release.

“We are excited to be able to offer this collaboration with AVR to our growers in the region,” said Darren Demers, manager and regional salesman for North Valley Equipment. “AVR’s innovation and industry knowledge of potato equipment is a strong addition we’re proud to offer our Lockwood growers.”

Handling and pulling machinery from AVR, a Belgian family business with more than 175 years of industry experience, will be available through the dealership, with plans to expand the product line, according to the release.

“We are thrilled to partner with Lockwood,” said Andrew Starbuck, AVR country manager. “Their regional knowledge, strong relationships with growers and reputation for quality make them the ideal partner for introducing AVR equipment in the upper Midwest.”

Lockwood, which manufactures potato planters, windrowers, harvesters and handling equipment, formed a dealer partnership in Alberta, Canada, with PGS Equipment earlier this month.