After completing the acquisition of Bucyrus earlier this year, Caterpillar is selling part of the former Bucyrus distribution business to the Industrial Division of Malaysian-based multinational Sime Darby Berhad.
The transaction, valued at approximately $360 million, involves the Sime Darby Industrial Cat dealerships operated by Hastings Deering in Queensland and the Northern Territory of Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia.
This deal marks the first of several that are expected to transition the product distribution and support of former Bucyrus machinery to Cat dealers who support mining customers around the world.
While not part of the transaction, Caterpillar also intends to start selling former Bucyrus mining products through Sime Darby's other Cat dealerships.
“Cat dealers have a proven track record in helping customers realize the highest productivity and lowest owning and operating costs, and many mining customers have told us how important the dealers are to their success,” said Steve Wunning, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Resource Industries. “Wherever there is mining, Caterpillar and our dealers will be there to serve our mining customers.”
Hastings Deering, the principal Australian subsidiary of Sime Darby Industrial, has a significant field population of former Bucyrus machines in its territories. As part of the deal, nearly 400 former Bucyrus employees are expected to transition to Hastings Deering, bringing the dealer’s total employment to over 4,000 employees with a continued focus on providing uninterrupted service to customers.
Caterpillar is currently holding discussions with other Cat dealers that have mining activity in their territories. Caterpillar will continue to operate the former Bucyrus distribution business in a given dealer’s territory until the transitions have occurred.
