Wacker Neuson to start US compact loader production

Wacker Neuson has announced it is adding a skid steer and compact tracked loader production line at its factory in Menomonee Falls, US. Production of four models is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2015.

Wacker Neuson CEO Cem Peksaglam said, “Our strategy is ‘in the region for the region’. So it makes sense for us to build skid steer loaders in the region where demand is strongest – North America. We unveiled four loader models tailored to the needs of the North American market at the start of the year and received positive feedback from dealers and customers alike. Producing these products in North America will speed up time-to-market and enable us to adapt these high-quality, powerful machines more rapidly to the specific customer requirements of this core market.”

Christopher Barnard, regional president of Wacker Neuson in North America added, “The new skid steer loader series rounds off our portfolio of compact machines in North America, making us an even more attractive partner for dealers.”

The facility in Menomonee Falls near Milwaukee was built in 1986 and expanded in 2012 and also houses Wacker Neuson’s North American headquarter and research & development functions. Products manufactured there include trowels for the concrete industry, rammers, rollers, trench rollers, generators and pumps.

The loader models to be produced from next year will be the 1,100 kg and 1,400 kg rated capacity SW24 and SW28 skid steers and the 1,600 kg and 2,100 kg capacity tracked loaders.

The machines were previously built at Wacker Neuson’s factory in Hörsching, Austria. The company said that the shift will free up capacity in Hörsching to increase dumper and compact excavator production.