10.02.2005

Finning leads New CAT dealership

Caterpillar Inc has formed a new division Caterpillar Global Pipeline that will have a global focus on the pipeline construction industry. As part of this strategy is has asked four CAT dealers including Finning to form a new Caterpillar dealership to exploit opportunities in large-diameter limited-duration pipeline construction projects.

The new dealer, Pipe Line Machinery International, will be responsible for maintaining customer relationships, merchandising purpose-built Caterpillar pipeline products, and providing solution packaging to customers in this industry.
Finning (Canada) and three American dealers will form PipeLine Machinery International which along with the Caterpillar Global Pipeline division, will be based in Huston.

PLM, of which the four partners will own 25 percent each, will be responsible for supplying purpose-built CAT pipeline products to mainline pipeline construction customers who specialize in
large diameter pipeline projects.

PLM will form a consolidated rental fleet of
pipe-layers, as well as traditional products, initially comprised of the current inventory from the four dealers.

Finning (Canada) General Manager, Pipelines, Mel Ternan, will serve as president of the new entity.

Commenting on the new global dealership, Ternan
said, "As one of the partners in PLM, Finning (Canada) has the opportunity to become involved in all of the major pipeline construction projects worldwide. This is an innovative concept, a dealer without geographic borders, which provides PLM with the inventory and expertise to effectively serve this
industry."