Weiler announces plans to purchase Caterpillar purpose-built forestry business

By MEq August 31, 2018 11:32

Weiler, Inc. has entered into a preliminary agreement with Caterpillar, Inc. to the purchase the Cat purpose-built forestry business. The sale is subject to negotiation of a final agreement, which is expected by early 2019.

The proposed sale includes the purpose-built forestry product line consisting of Wheel Skidders, Track Feller Bunchers, Wheel Feller Bunchers, Knuckleboom Loaders, and related operations facilities including the manufacturing plant and warehouse in LaGrange, Georgia, the demonstration and training center in Auburn, Alabama, and the legacy Prentice parts distribution center in Smithfield, North Carolina.
Weiler has been manufacturing purpose-built equipment for the asphalt paving market since 2005, with sales, service and support exclusively through the Caterpillar dealer network.

“We believe that the purpose-built forestry product line is the ideal addition to our current product portfolio,” commented Pat Weiler, owner and founder of Weiler, Inc. “We have a proven track record of working with Cat dealers all over the world to respond rapidly to customers with specialized product needs. We are confident that our existing product line up, our flexible manufacturing strategy, and our unrivaled customer focus will differentiate us within the forestry segment.”

Weiler anticipates retaining the approximate 270 employees supporting the forestry business, adding to the nearly 500 employees currently employed at the Knoxville, Iowa based manufacturer’s corporate office and manufacturing facility.
“Utilizing the capabilities of both the LaGrange and Knoxville facilities, we have plans in place to expand the existing forestry product line to further meet customer demands”, said Weiler.