Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Wacker Neuson SE is the parent company of the Wacker Neuson Group, a global organization that develops, produces and distributes concrete technology, compaction equipment, worksite technology and compact construction equipment, also offering a range of complementary services. Founded in 1848, the family-owned company now has more than 50 affiliates, over 140 sales and service stations and over 12,000 sales and service partners worldwide. The Group currently has 5,064 employees. Wacker Neuson SE has been listed on the SDAX since 2007.
History
Early years through to 1945
The company was founded in 1848 by Johann Christian Wacker as a blacksmith’s shop in Dresden trading as Wacker. It started industrial production in 1875. In 1930, the company’s engineers developed a high-frequency technology for internal vibrators. At the same time, the first electrically powered rammer – an innovation in concrete and soil compaction – was developed and produced. Before the start of World War II, the company had already expanded its product portfolio and created a domestic and international sales and retail organization. Progress was halted by the destruction of the production facility in Dresden just before the end of the war.
Business operations were resumed in Kulmbach in 1945, and the company moved its headquarters to Munich in 1951. The first foreign affiliate was established in 1957 in Hartford. In 1986, Hartford operations relocated to Menomonee Falls, now home to a production facility and logistics centre. Subsequently, the company stepped up its international presence, and now has 50 affiliates, over 140 sales and service outlets and over 12,000 sales and service partners worldwide. The group changed structure from a limited company to a public limited company, Wacker Construction Equipment AG, in 2002. Until 2005, Wacker only developed, produced and distributed light construction equipment up to approx. three tonnes in the concrete technology, soil & asphalt compaction, demolition and utility segments. Following the acquisition of Weidemann GmbH in 2005, the company branched out into compact construction equipment and the agricultural sector. Drillfix AG and Ground Heaters, Inc. were purchased in 2006.
2007 to date
The company was floated on 15 May 2007, and is listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It was admitted to the SDAX in autumn 2007. On October 31, 2007, the company merged with Neuson Kramer Baumaschinen AG, a manufacturer of compact construction equipment including compact excavators, wheel loaders, dumpers and skid steer loaders. Neuson Kramer Baumaschinen AG itself was the product of a merger between Neuson Baumaschinen GmbH and the long-established company Kramer-Werke GmbH. Neuson was established in 1981 as Neuson Hydraulik GmbH, based in Linz, and initially developed hydraulic mini-excavators. Neuson Baumaschinen GmbH was established in 1990. Dumper manufacturer Lifton Ltd. was acquired in 1998, and skid-steer loaders were added to the product range in 2004. Neuson and Kramer merged in 2001. In February 2009, Wacker Construction Equipment AG underwent a change of legal form and assumed its current name of Wacker Neuson SE.
Group overview
Brands
Wacker Neuson SE organises its activities by region. The group is divided into three business fields: Light Equipment, Compact Equipment, and Services. The Compact Equipment segment supplies excavators, wheel loaders, telescopic handlers, skid-steer loaders and dumpers. These machines are used in application areas including structural and civil engineering, road construction, agriculture, gardening, landscaping, municipal works, recycling and industrial projects. The group comprises the three brands Wacker Neuson, Weidemann and Kramer as well as affiliates and production plants.
Wacker Neuson
Under the Wacker Neuson brand, the group sells walk-behind and hand-held construction equipment worldwide. Products here include rammers, vibratory plates, hammers, cutting tools, internal & external vibrators and construction site equipment, as well as compact construction equipment such as compact excavators, wheel loaders, dumpers and Skid-steer loaders.
Kramer
All-wheel-drive wheel loaders, telescopic handlers and telescopic wheel loaders are sold under the Kramer brand. → Main article on Kramer
Weidemann
The Weidemann brand mainly produces machines such as articulated wheel loaders, telescopic wheel loaders and tele handlers for the agricultural sector. → Main article on Weidemann
Management
Martin Lehner has been CEO of the company since September 2017. Neuson founder Hans Neunteufel is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Cem Peksaglam has stepped down from the position of Wacker Neuson CEO in August 2017.
