“We are looking back at a success story spanning 175 years,” emphasizes Dr. Karl Tragl, CEO of the Wacker Neuson Group. “What began as a simple blacksmith’s shop has evolved into an international group of companies with around 6,300 employees, powerful brands and locations all over the world – a compelling trajectory full of groundbreaking inventions and smart entrepreneurial decisions. However, one thing that has not changed in 175 years is the Group’s steadfast focus on its customers and their requirements. And so we will continue to offer innovative solutions that make everyday working life easier for our customers as we move forward.”
Innovative solutions since 1848
The roots of the Wacker Neuson Group can be traced back to various companies with strong traditions, starting back in 1848. Right from day one, its products and solutions were closely aligned with construction and agricultural activities and shaped by a deep understanding of the challenges in these areas. In 1930, for instance, Hermann Wacker’s innovative electric rammer redefined construction activity at the time. And Wacker’s internal vibrators for concrete compaction dominated the market from 1934. Meanwhile, another key pillar of today’s Wacker Neuson Group – the family-run Kramer company – was founded in 1925 and pioneered diesel engines in the agricultural sector in 1933. Back then, the resulting speed of 15 km/h was unheard of for tractors. Weidemann was also busy laying the groundwork for the Group’s future success story. Based in the German state of Hesse, the equipment manufacturer revolutionized material transport for the agricultural sector in 1972 with its articulated and compact agricultural loader. The machine’s narrow design meant it could even be used in confined spaces such as stables, marking a completely new way of working. Another key player, Neuson, was also setting mini-excavator standards in the 1980s with its Vertical Digging System (VDS), among other things. The Dual View dumpers and the industry’s first electric Zero Tail mini-excavator are the most recent developments from today’s innovation hub in Hörsching, Austria. Similarly, Group member Enar, which has been manufacturing concrete vibrators since 1978, looks back on decades of expertise.
Innovation part of Group DNA – and always has been
Today, the Wacker Neuson, Kramer and Weidemann brands all belong to the Wacker Neuson Group. Other brands and participating interests include Enar, Battery One and Sequello. As a specialist in light and compact equipment with around 6,300 employees, the Wacker Neuson Group offers its customers around the world a broad portfolio of products flanked by a wide range of support and value-add services. It is the partner of choice across a broad spectrum of industries, serving in particular customers in the construction, gardening and landscaping, agricultural, municipal, recycling rail transport and manufacturing sectors. Inspired by its culture of innovation, the Wacker Neuson Group continues to work on products and solutions with the ability to simplify workflows for its customers and secure its own success for many more anniversaries to come. This is best exemplified with innovation hotspots focusing on digitalization, electrification and autonomous working.
Milestones in the Wacker Neuson Group’s history can be viewed here: www.wackerneusongroup.com/175-anniversary
