– K-FACTOR Director Kostiantyn Petushkov on the company's development, European markets, and the future of field logistics
The efficiency of field logistics is becoming an increasingly important factor in the economics of modern farming. That is why K-FACTOR, a manufacturer of grain cart trailers, focuses on developing engineering solutions that help farmers reduce losses, optimize operations, and improve harvesting productivity.
K-FACTOR Director Kostiantyn Petushkov shares insights into the company's development, cooperation with Ukrainian farmers, expansion into European markets, and strategic plans for the future.
– Mr. Petushkov, K-FACTOR established its presence on the Ukrainian market quite rapidly. What was this first stage like?
– We launched just a year ago with two grain cart trailer product lines – BOOSTER and POWERBANK – but from the very beginning we had a clear vision. Our goal was not simply to introduce new machinery, but to build a company that would systematically develop solutions for efficient field logistics.
Today, we are already seeing the results: we actively cooperate with farmers, receive valuable feedback, develop new products, and expand into international markets.
– What challenges have the greatest impact on farmers today, and how is agricultural machinery addressing them?
– High production costs, labor shortages, and expensive resources force farmers to calculate every expense. Every minute of combine downtime or unnecessary grain handling results in direct financial losses. To demonstrate where productivity gains can truly be achieved, we have focused on live demonstrations and real-world field operation.
“Every minute of combine downtime means direct financial losses.”
– Why are field demonstrations so important for your company?
– Because they show real performance rather than just attractive marketing. We have conducted numerous demonstrations—dozens of live field events directly on farms across many regions of Ukraine, as well as participating in Field Days.
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These demonstrations allow farmers to see how the equipment performs under the exact conditions in which it will be used every day. Every farm has its own terrain, machinery fleet, and logistics. We carefully listen to farmers during these events, and their practical experience helps us develop equipment that meets real market needs.
“One day of a field demonstration is worth a thousand words. It provides complete information about the machine, verified by real-world experience.”
– Which advantages of K-FACTOR equipment do farmers mention most often after these demonstrations?
– Their feedback always focuses on practical benefits.
For example, farmers in western Ukraine appreciate the machines' stability on slopes thanks to the wide track width. In other regions, they praise the excellent flotation provided by the large low-pressure tires, which allow operation on wet fields without causing excessive soil compaction.
However, the feature that generates the greatest interest during demonstrations is our single-auger unloading system.
For producers of soybeans, sunflower, peas, or corn, grain damage is a major concern. A single auger means minimal mechanical damage to fragile grain. When farmers see in practice that their harvest remains virtually undamaged, they immediately recognize the economic advantage. Better grain quality means a higher selling price. Our single-auger concept clearly demonstrates the golden rule of field logistics: if you don't lose it, you earn it. Reducing losses means increasing profits.
“A single auger means minimal mechanical damage to fragile grain. It proves the golden rule of logistics: if you don't lose it, you earn it.”
– How has farmers' approach to choosing agricultural equipment changed in recent years?
– It has changed dramatically. Previously, farmers evaluated an individual machine. Today, they evaluate the efficiency of the entire harvesting chain. Customers analyze logistics as a whole: combine downtime, the number of transport trips, fuel consumption, grain damage, and the payback period of their investment. In reality, farmers are no longer buying machinery—they are investing in productivity.
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– Has the company already expanded beyond the Ukrainian market?
– Yes. We are actively building partnerships across Europe, and negotiations with potential dealers are underway. European farmers are highly pragmatic—they place reliability, service quality, and clear economic benefits above everything else.
We are confident in our capabilities because Ukrainian engineering solutions are fully competitive on the global market today.
– What strategic goals has K-FACTOR set for the coming year?
– We are currently working on several new developments, planning to significantly increase production capacity, expand our dealer network, and strengthen our presence throughout the European Union.
Next year, we expect the company's sales volume to reach approximately UAH 150 million.
However, figures alone are not our primary goal. The true measure of success is ensuring that every machine delivers real economic value to the farm that uses it.
“The main measure of success is that every machine delivers real economic benefits to the farm.”
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– You mentioned new developments. Does this mean the company will not be limited to its current product range?
– Absolutely. Farmers' needs continue to grow, and our engineering team is constantly developing new solutions. We are currently working on a new project that will become a natural extension of our product portfolio. I won't reveal the details just yet, but it will be an engineering solution that will undoubtedly attract the market's attention and address another important need of modern farmers.
– What motivates your team the most today?
– Results. When we see that our equipment meets farmers' expectations, helps them save fuel, avoid downtime during harvest, and preserve their crops without unnecessary losses—that is our greatest motivation to continue moving forward.
