28.04.2006

First JLG produced Cat telehandler at Intermat

Finalised at the end of October last year, the alliance means JLG will design and produce a Cat branded telehandler product line exclusively for Caterpillar dealers.

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First Cat telehandler manufactured by JLG

The speed in which the two companies have reached this milestone surely indicates a healthy relationship. “We are very excited to work with JLG, we have a strong partnership and there is a lot of optimism for the future,” said Klaus Ukens, Caterpillar’s global telehandler alliance manager.

“Cat is the global leader in earthmoving equipment and the telehandler range is very important,” he said. “We entered into the alliance because JLG is a strong performer, number one in the USA.”

Machines produced by JLG for Cat will, for the foreseeable future, be to exactly the same specification and using exactly the same components – the only difference being the identification plate which has the JLG logo.

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The first of many.....currently the only difference is the identification plate

“The growth in the telehandler market in North America over the last year has been tremendous,” said Mr Ukens. “Sales estimates of 12,000 units for 2005 were way off the mark. Our figures indicate the market was about 18,000 units – a growth of 50 per cent!”

Caterpillar’s original telehandler approach was one machine for the global market however it now accepts that market requirements are different.

Lower specification machines for the North American and Latin American markets will be built a its facility at McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, with its plant in Belgium producing higher specification machines for Europe and the rest of the world.
Production will now be ramped up to a maximum in September this year.