Paris, 08 September 2008:
Algeco is extending its territorial reach in Europe by entering the Russian market. Despite political tension in the region, the prospects for Algeco’s modular space rental solutions are excellent, says Bruno Roqueplo, CEO Europe of Algeco Scotsman: “This new expansion entry confirms the group’s growth strategy, which is resolutely directed towards markets with strong potential, such as Russia.” The management of Algeco Russia will be entrusted to Steen Sorensen who has 18 years experience with industrial and international corporations in Europe, including Palsgaard Russia and Ford Financial Europe. Algeco Russia is offering, for the first time, rental services to all modular construction and storage container clients and in particular, the services, administration, industrial and construction sectors. Algeco Russia will guarantee clients increased flexibility and reactivity given its close proximity to them, a formula which has contributed to its success in Europe.
Based in Moscow, Algeco Russia’s team of 10 people will be expanded rapidly. Steen Sorensen, Director of Algeco Russia says: “establishing ourselves in two main sites: Moscow and Saint Petersburg, we plan to continue our business expansion in Russia and reinforce our territorial footprint by targeting cities, such as Yekaterinburg, Kaluga, Kazan, Samara. See our web site for further details: www.algeco-container.ru »
Present in Eastern Europe since 1997, in Northern Europe since 2007, and now in Russia, Algeco is well positioned to benefit from growth of these markets and to pursue its international development strategy.
About Steen Sorensen
Before joining Algeco, Sorensen was CEO of the Russian subsidiary of Palsgaard, a Danish business to business manufacturer of food ingredients (from April 2006). He was in charge of development, planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of all business activities, Sorensen ensured the efficient operation of this unit, which returned a profit for the first time in four years in 2006. Between March and September 2005, Steen Sorensen headed up the CRM and Consumer Financing department of Perekriostok, the leading supermarket chain in Russia. Sorensen began his career in 1990 as a finance analyst at financial services company, Ford Financial Europe, an indirect subsidiary of Ford Motor Company (1990- 1992). He then held successively the functions of Manager, Dealer Services and Collections (1993-1996), Business Development Manager New Markets & Associations in Brentwood, UK and in Moscow, Russia (1996-1999), General Manager of Ford Credit Russia (1999- 2000), Program Manager, Management Information Systems (MIS) (2000-2003) and more recently Regional Quality Manager (2003-2005). Sorensen graduated from the Copenhagen Business School with a Master's degree in Business Administration and Finance.
About Algeco in Europe
Algeco offers space rental solutions throughout 16 European countries, including Belgium, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and The United Kingdom. In Europe, the company serves 31,100 customers in the areas of construction & infrastructure, industry, services and administration. Its fleet of approximately 230,000 modular space and storage units is leased through a network of more than 100 locations. Algeco’s subsidiary in the United Kingdom is Elliott, the UK’s largest supplier of rental accommodation facilities.
About Algeco Scotsman
Algeco is part of Algeco Scotsman, a leading global business services provider, expert in modular space and storage solutions. The Group manages a fleet of more than 335,000 units with operations in 19 countries throughout Europe and North America.
For additional information, visit the company’s web site at www.algeco.com, call +33 1 42 86 23 00, or email Olivier.delabrosse@algeco.com.
