Wacker Neuson SE / Strategic Company Decision/Alliance24.06.2010 09:50Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted byDGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.---------------------------------------------------------------------------Wacker Neuson SE and Caterpillar Inc. sign strategic alliance for minihydraulic excavators up to 3 tons.Wacker Neuson to develop and produce exclusively Caterpillar branded minihydraulic excavators.(Munich, June 24, 2010) The relevant executive bodies of Wacker Neuson SE,Munich, Germany (ISIN DE000WACK012) and Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, USA(NYSE:CAT) have signed an agreement regarding the design, manufacture,distribution and support of Caterpillar mini excavators up to 3 tons. Theaim of the cooperation is that the two parties form a long-term strategicalliance.Manufacture of Caterpillar mini excavators by Wacker Neuson from mid 2011onwardsThe agreement with a term of 20 years includes the development andmanufacture of mini excavators with an operating weight of up to three tonsdesigned to Caterpillar's specifications at Wacker Neuson's productionplant in Linz, Austria. Wacker Neuson will leverage its manufacturing andproduct development capability to produce Caterpillar mini excavators inthe under 3-ton category. Caterpillar currently offers three models in thissize range. The new model range will consist of up to seven machines,starting with an operating weight of 0,8t. The mini excavators will beproduced to Caterpillar's technical and brand specifications and will bedistributed and supported via Caterpillar's global dealer network, with theexception of Japan. All Caterpillar models will be clearly differentiatedfrom comparable Wacker Neuson models in the same product range. Theadditional volume in the first year of full production in 2012 will morethan double the existing production volume of comparable mini excavators onWacker Neuson's production lines.'We know many customers are looking for more options in this size range,and this alliance will give those customers expanded choices to help themgrow their business,' said Mary Bell, Caterpillar vice president withresponsibility for the Building Construction Products Division. 'There isalso an ideal cultural fit between Caterpillar and Wacker Neuson, as bothcompanies have a strong focus on developing and supporting world classproducts. Over the years, Wacker Neuson has developed a strong reputationamong our Caterpillar dealers, who have become familiar with WackerNeuson's Light Equipment products, which are available at Cat Rentalstores,' Bell added.The two companies recognize the benefits and synergies of utilizing WackerNeuson's development and production capacity and distributing machines viathe respective sales networks - a move that will improve both companies'competitive position. The Caterpillar dealer network is a highly respectedand a powerful sales channel for construction equipment worldwide.Similarly respected are Wacker Neuson's sales channels, which are focusedon Light and Compact Equipment, including independent dealers, independentand national rental companies and direct sales in selected countries.By concentrating production of selected products at Wacker Neuson's miniexcavator production in Linz, Austria, the two companies will leveragejoint economies of scale in the manufacturing and development process,while supplying their respective, complementary sales channels withdifferentiated, competitive machines. 'We are delighted at the prospect ofwhat promises to be a long term strategic partnership for both companies aswe move forward and probably will accelerate our investment in a new andhighly efficient mini excavator production plant in Hörsching near Linz'explains Dr.-Ing. Georg Sick, CEO of Wacker Neuson SE. The partnership willenable both parties to spread the cost of developing and modifyinglower-emission products across higher volumes.About Wacker NeusonWacker Neuson SE is a global manufacturer of light and compact equipment.With over 30 affiliates and more than 180 sales and service stations acrossthe globe, the company offers an exceptionally broad product portfolio.Manufacturing activities are distributed across three German, one Austrian,two American and one Philippine production sites. Almost all productsmanufactured by the company are branded Wacker Neuson. The only exceptionsto this in Europe are Kramer Allrad products and Weidemann-brandedagricultural machinery. With over 300 product categories and complementaryrental, spare parts and repair services, Wacker Neuson is the partner ofchoice among professional users in construction, gardening, landscaping andagriculture, as well as among municipal bodies and companies in theindustrial and recycling sectors.About Caterpillar:For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possibleand driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2009sales and revenues of $32.396 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leadingmanufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gasengines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading servicesprovider through Caterpillar Financial Services, CaterpillarRemanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress RailServices. More information is available at www.cat.com.Your contact partner at Wacker Neuson:Wacker Neuson SE Katrin Neuffer Preussenstr. 41 80809 Munich Tel. +49 - (0)89 - 354 02 - 173 katrin.neuffer@wackerneuson.com www.wackerneuson.com24.06.2010 Ad hoc announcement, Financial News and Media Release distributed by DGAP.Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: EnglishCompany: Wacker Neuson SE Preußenstr. 41 80809 München DeutschlandPhone: +49 - (0)89 - 354 02 - 0Fax: +49 - (0)89 - 354 02 - 390E-mail: info@wackerneuson.comInternet: www.wackerneuson.comISIN: DE000WACK012WKN: WACK01Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München, Hamburg, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
