|
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
|
||||
 |
||||
|
FORM
8-K
|
||||
|
Current
Report
|
||||
|
Pursuant
to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
|
||||
|
Date
of
Report (Date of earliest event reported):
October 27, 2005
|
||||
|
CATERPILLAR
INC.
(Exact
name
of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
||||
|
Delaware
(State
or
other jurisdiction of incorporation)
|
||||
|
1-768
(Commission
File Number)
|
37-0602744
(IRS
Employer
Identification No.)
|
|||
|
100
NE Adams Street, Peoria, Illinois
(Address
of
principal executive offices)
|
61629
(Zip
Code)
|
|||
|
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code:
(309) 675-1000
|
||||
|
Former
name
or former address, if changed since last report: N/A
|
||||
|
Check
the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following
provisions:
|
||||
|
o
|
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR
230.425)
|
|||
|
o
|
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
230.425)
|
|||
|
o
|
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.14d-2(b))
|
|||
|
o
|
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.13e-4(c))
|
|||
Page
1
Item
8.01.
Other Events.
The
furnishing of
these materials is not intended to constitute a representation that such
furnishing is required by Regulation FD or that the materials include material
investor information that is not otherwise publicly available. In addition,
the
Registrant does not assume any obligation to update such information in the
future.
|
*
* * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
*
|
The
following
release was issued by Caterpillar Inc. on October 27, 2005.
October
27,
2005
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Caterpillar
Announces Global Alliance with JLG to Supply Telehandlers; Implements
Revitalization Plan for Building Construction Product Division’s European
Operations
Alliance
with
JLG expected to grow and deliver Cat telehandler product line to customers
globally
PEORIA,
Illinois -
In a move that will better position the company to respond to customer needs
and
provide greater value, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced today that
it has
signed definitive agreements to enter into a global alliance with JLG
Industries, Inc. (NYSE: JLG) to produce a full line-up of Caterpillar branded
telehandlers. The alliance is a strong strategic fit for both companies and
will
give Caterpillar dealers and customers greater access to a quality range
of Cat
branded telehandler products. The deal is expected to close prior to the
end of
the year, subject to consultation with employees and their
representatives.
“This
alliance
leverages our respective strengths, combining Caterpillar’s global brand,
distribution expertise and component capabilities with JLG’s strong design
capabilities in the telehandler and lift industry, to deliver world-class
telehandler product to our customers,” said Ed Rapp, vice president of
Caterpillar’s Building Construction Products (BCP) Division.
“JLG
is very
pleased to be able to form an alliance with Caterpillar and its global dealer
network to build on JLG’s core strengths in the access market to provide a broad
line-up of quality telehandlers to customers throughout the world,” commented
Bill Lasky, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer
of
JLG.
Caterpillar’s
telehandler products are currently produced at BCP’s plant in Leicester,
England, along with four
other machine
product groups.
Under the alliance
agreement, JLG will develop and manufacture for Caterpillar a line-up of
Cat
branded telehandlers for global distribution. Caterpillar will retain
responsibility for the B-Series telehandlers and earlier models, manufactured
and sold by Caterpillar prior to the transition of production to JLG, including
warranty and service.
“The
actions we’re
taking with our telehandler product group are important to revitalizing our
Leicester operations,” Rapp commented. “These changes will strengthen our
operations and keep us in a position to be competitive and profitable.
Ultimately that’s good for the employees and communities in which we live and
work.”
Page
2
As
telehandler
production is shifted from Caterpillar’s Leicester operations to the JLG
facilities, BCP’s European operations will undergo a strategic restructuring to
better position the manufacturing of its four
other product
groups consisting
of
backhoe loaders, small wheel loaders, compact wheel loaders and mini hydraulic
excavators. Caterpillar will continue production of these existing machines
at
Leicester.
Caterpillar
established its first production plant in the United Kingdom over half
a century
ago. Today, the U.K. represents the company’s largest manufacturing base outside
of the United States. Caterpillar employs approximately 10,000 employees
in a
variety of businesses including building construction products, logistics,
remanufacturing, small and medium-sized engines, articulated trucks and
electric
power generation.
About
Caterpillar Inc.
For
80 years,
Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world’s infrastructure and, in
partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and
sustainable change on every continent. With 2004 sales and revenues of
$30.25
billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world’s leading manufacturer
of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and
industrial gas turbines. More information is available at
www.cat.com.
SAFE
HARBOR
Certain
statements
in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute
forward-looking statements involving known and unknown factors that may
cause
actual results of Caterpillar Inc. to be different from those expressed
or
implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context, words such
as
“expects,”“anticipates,”“intends,”“plans,”“believes,”“seeks,”“will,” or
other similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking statements
made
on behalf of Caterpillar. It is important to note that actual results of
the
company may differ materially from those described or implied in such forward
looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties, including,
but not limited to, changes in economic conditions, currency exchange rates
or
political stability; market acceptance of the company’s products and services;
significant changes in the competitive environment; changes in law, regulations
and tax rates; and other general economic, business and financing conditions
and
factors described in more detail in the company’s filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the
year ended December 31, 2004. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking
statements.
Caterpillar
contact:
Rusty
Dunn
Corporate
Public
Affairs
309-675-4803
dunn_rusty_l@cat.com
|
*
* * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
*
|
|
Pursuant
to
the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
|
||
|
CATERPILLAR
INC.
|
||
|
October
27,
2005
|
By:
|
/s/
James
B. Buda
|
|
|
||
|
James
B.
Buda
|
||
|
Vice
President
|
||
Page
3