In order to ensure access to spare parts and technical expertise in peace, crisis and war, the Armed Forces enter into an agreement with the company Bertel O. Steen AS.
The agreement was signed by the Managing Director, Petter Jansen in the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (FLO) and CEO of Bertel O. Steen Holding AS, Stian Skrefsrud in Oslo on the 8. March, and have a duration of up to seven years.
Emergency stock
Bertel O. Steen will establish an emergency stock of spare parts to the Armed Forces’ vehicles and other materials that they have within their portfolio. This includes among others, spare parts for light vehicles, tracked vehicles, and some armoured vehicles, as well as engines to a number of the Armed Forces’ vehicles and vessels. The company is committed to have a emergency stock of spare parts that meet the requirements of the Armed Forces.
Mobilized mechanics
The agreement implies that selected mechanics from the entire Bertel O. Steen dealership network, including agricultural mechanics from the subsidiary AK maskiner, are made available to the Armed Forces as needed. The armed forces have had a good working relationship with Bertel O. Steen for many years. I am happy that we now have put in place a readiness agreement that ensures the armed forces access to the company’s logistics resources, not only in peace but also in crisis and war, says Jansen.
The cooperation strengthens the Armed Forces’ operational capability
Bertel O. Steen has significant nationwide capacities within mechanical workshops, storage, logistics and distribution related to activities in the field of vehicles, agriculture and maritime industry. The agreement covers all relevant units across the Bertel O. Steen structure, and the agreement is formally signed by the company Bertel O. Steen Defence and Security, a subsidiary of Bertel O. Steen Industri.
– The talks with FLO have demonstrated that Bertel O. Steen’s existing infrastructure, expertise and resources can help strengthen the Armed Forces’ operational capability. We are pleased that this dialogue has led to the framework agreement we now have signed. We think it’s positive for Bertel O Steen to contribute in such public-private cooperation, says CEO of Bertel O. Steen Holding AS, Stian Skrefsrud.
He also emphasizes the good cooperation Bertel O. Steen has had with the Armed Forces over many years.
– Bertel O. Steen has a holistic and long-term perspective tied to this agreement. This cooperation will at the same time strengthen our role as a national player in the defence area, says Skrefsrud.
Builds preparedness
The agreement is part of the ongoing work in the Armed Forces to improve the logistics readiness, to provide faster response time, longer endurance and higher preparedness.
Through preparedness agreements with Norwegian, civilian logistics companies, the Armed Forces ensure flexible access to resources in peace, crisis and war. The Armed Forces has earlier signed such agreements with companies like Wilhelmsen, Grieg and Bring.
About Bertel O. Steen:
Bertel O. Steen-group consists of two main structures: Bertel O. Steen AS (car-business) and Bertel O. Steen Kapital AS (other business). Total turnover for the group in 2017 was 18.4 billion NOK, and the total number of employees is approximately 2800. Under Bertel O. Steen Kapital AS is Bertel O. Steen Industri and A-K maskiner. Bertel O. Steen Industry consists of among others Bertel O. Steen Defence & Security. A-K maskiner is Norway’s leading private provider of machines and tools to the agricultural industry. Bertel O. Steen AS is one of Norway’s largest service and trading companies. The Group imports the car brands Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Peugeot, Citroen, DS, smart ®, Fuso and Setra to Norway and is a significant player in the car detailing, car finance, car workshop operations and real estate business.
About The Armed Forces’ logistics organisation:
In charge of the logistics operations within the Armed Forces. This involves operational military logistics, planning and management of military logistics operations with military and civil logistics, entering into and managing civil-military emergency preparedness agreements and frame agreements for goods and services to the Armed Forces.