Zeppelin Group’s Northern Europe Expansion Approved

Takeover of the distribution and service of Cat products in Sweden, Denmark and Greenland, as well as distribution and service of MaK engines in the Baltic region, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands by the Zeppelin Group has been approved by the supervisory authorities.

The Zeppelin Group continues to expand and is developing its partnership with Caterpillar. Zeppelin has also taken over the distribution and service of machines and components by the US American construction machine manufacturer Caterpillar in Sweden, Denmark and Greenland. The portfolio includes drive, propulsion, traction, and energy systems, as well as machine and equipment rental. For the engine brand MaK, in addition to Sweden, Denmark and Greenland, the Zeppelin Group is also taking over distribution and service for engines and energy generators in the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. The transaction has been approved by the European supervisory authorities.

Zeppelin is pursuing a solid, long-term growth strategy, and sees potential in the new distribution and service territories. The machine population will be consistently expanded in these markets, and the spare parts and service business will be strengthened with an excellent service concept. Another focus is the development of a strong rental organization as well as the advancement of the used machines business.

“We are looking forward to continuing the success story of the Zeppelin Group with our new northern European colleagues and our long-standing partner Caterpillar. We will now also offer customized solutions for our customers in northern Europe,” commented Peter Gerstmann, Chairman of the Management Board at Zeppelin GmbH, upon successful completion of the transaction.

Andreas Brand, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Zeppelin GmbH and Mayor of the City of Friedrichshafen, continues: “The success of Zeppelin is based on the motivation and passion of its employees. This has made the Zeppelin Group the world’s largest and most successful distribution and service partner for Caterpillar.”

As part of the contractual arrangements, the assets necessary for business activities will be transferred from the Dutch consortium Pon to Zeppelin. As part of the expansion, the Zeppelin Group will also be rearranging its Strategic Business Units (SBUs). In the new distribution and service territories, construction and mining equipment will be managed in a separate SBU under the name Construction Equipment Nordics. Management of this SBU and of the new group companies in Sweden and Denmark will be taken over by Volker Poßögel, who was previously manager of the Power Systems business unit.

In addition to the distribution and service partnership with Caterpillar, Zeppelin will also integrate the SITECH companies in Sweden and Denmark. They specialize in the distribution and service of products by the US technology company Trimble. Trimble is the leading manufacturer of machine controls, GPS navigation systems and fleet management systems worldwide, offering both hardware and software for construction planning and managing integrated construction processes.

Another component of the transaction is that Baltic Marine Contractors (BMC), based in Tallinn, Estonia, and currently part of Pon, will be transferred to Zeppelin. This company bundles the distribution and service activities for the brand MaK, under which premium marine engines and large gas engines for energy production are offered.

Zeppelin has been active in the distribution and service of Caterpillar construction and mining equipment, as well as Cat and MaK engines, since 1954. Over the years, the Group has continuously expanded its sales and service territory as well as its portfolio of products and services. Today, Zeppelin offers these products and services not only in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but also in much of the Russian Federation, in Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia and Belarus.