Caterpillar and Wacker Neuson end mini excavator deal

Caterpillar and Wacker Neuson are to end their agreement for the manufacture of mini excavators. For the past six years, Wacker Neuson has been building mini excavators at its plant in Hörsching, Austria that have been badged as Caterpillar products. However this partnership is now being phased out and Caterpillar intends to switch design and production of the smallest hydraulic excavators in its line-up to Caterpillar facilities from the start of 2018. According to Caterpillar this move will allow the f
August 25, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Caterpillar and Wacker Neuson are to end their manufacturing partnership for mini excavators
178 Caterpillar and 1651 Wacker Neuson are to end their agreement for the manufacture of mini excavators. For the past six years, Wacker Neuson has been building mini excavators at its plant in Hörsching, Austria that have been badged as Caterpillar products. However this partnership is now being phased out and Caterpillar intends to switch design and production of the smallest hydraulic excavators in its line-up to Caterpillar facilities from the start of 2018.

According to Caterpillar this move will allow the firm to focus on developing its global mini excavator business. The company says it will be able to leverage existing facilities and design teams to deliver cost effective and efficient new machines weighing less than 3tonnes.  

Caterpillar’s Building Construction Products Division will design and manufacture the new machines. These will utilise proven technology and features from the larger Caterpillar mini excavators. Five of the current models (301.4C, 301.7D, 301.7D CR, 302.2D and 302.4D) that are currently manufactured by Wacker Neuson, will be phased out in mid-2018. Meanwhile the 302.7D CR will be phased out at the end of 2019. The 300.9D will also phased out at the end of 2019, or later depending on agreements made by the two firms.

The partnership has been highly successful for both firms. However Korey Coon, general manager with responsibility for mini hydraulic excavators and small track-type tractors explained, “The market for these products has grown, and we believe that internally designing, manufacturing and distributing these excavators will provide an even higher value to our customers, dealers and shareholders.”

Wacker Neuson meanwhile says that it will continue its international growth strategy, distributing its extensive product range of excavators weighing from 0.8-14.5tonnes through its global sales channels.

Spare parts availability, technical support and warranty for current models will continue as Caterpillar and Wacker Neuson work together going forward. Other products sold and serviced by Wacker Neuson at Cat dealers and rental stores will not be affected.
Maintenance

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Skid steer loader - more versatile than a jack of all trades
    February 17, 2012
    The skid steer loader has for many years been known as a jack-of-all-trades. Indeed the term loader can be a bit misleading, as a skid steer is far more than simply a digging or lifting machine. Skid steers, and their more recent compact tracked loader stablemates, are the original powered tool carriers. They are designed to work with a host of attachments, not just a bucket or pallet forks. However while this concept of one base machine and a multitude of attachments has been a big success in North America
    Read More
  • Innovative earthmovers coming to market
    October 12, 2017
    A wide range of innovative earthmover solutions is now coming to market - Mike Woof writes Generally with major construction equipment exhibitions timed for the second quarter of each year, this is when manufacturers will roll out their latest earthmoving solutions. However 2017 has turned out to be something of an anomaly, with the major firms continuing to unveil new models. Firms have introduced new wheeled loaders, excavators, and dozers, although arguably, some of the most interesting developments
    Read More
  • Wacker Neuson’s compaction machines in action
    January 15, 2016
    Wacker Neuson has unveiled a range of new compactor tools – Nick Johnson writes. Staged in a gravel pit near Munich in Germany, an event called The Wacker Neuson Universe recently enabled customers to check out the latest machines in the company’s growing product portfolio. On the compaction front, the highlights included electric rammers, two new reversing plates, an improved trench roller, a new range of lightweight tandem rollers and two small self-propelled single drum vibrating rollers.
    Read More
  • Caterpillar has developed new wheeled loader solutions
    September 30, 2013
    Caterpillar’s new wheeled loader represents a new direction in the firm’s aim to develop machines to meet specific needs - Mike Woof reports Caterpillar’s 986H and 988K wheeled loaders are significant introductions for the firm, having been developed to meet the needs of entirely different market segments. The 988K takes the place of the earlier 988H model and this new machine features the latest low emission engine technology, suiting it to use in North America and Europe. Powered by a 403kW diesel the mac
    Read More

Highlighted Content