Caterpillar Unveils CAT Marine Propulsion Systems, Successfully Completes Acquisition of Johan Walter Berg AB

For Worldwide Release: September 2013
Release Number: M7PR13

Caterpillar Marine is pleased to announce the acquisition of Johan Walter Berg AB has successfully closed, enabling the industry-leading marine power solutions provider to now offer complete propulsion systems to the commercial marine market. The firm’s core brand, Berg Propulsion, is a leading manufacturer of mechanically and electrically driven propulsion systems and marine controls for ships.

As a result of the acquisition completion, all Berg Propulsion products will be rebranded as Caterpillar. The new Cat® Propulsion System for optimized bundles and propulsion packages includes controllable pitch propellers, transverse thrusters, azimuth thrusters, aftermarket parts and remote control systems. All Cat Propulsion System products are ideally suited for the complete and comprehensive line of Cat and MaK™ medium and high speed engines.

“The strategic goal driving our business is to be able to provide Caterpillar Marine customers around the world with integrated propulsion systems that enable them to maximize the uptime of their vessels while minimizing operating costs,” said Nigel Parkinson, Caterpillar Marine managing director. “As a result of the successful Berg acquisition, our customers can rely on Caterpillar and the Cat dealer network to provide the total package: a complete propulsion system that is supported globally.”

The launch of Cat Propulsion Systems builds on Caterpillar’s introduction of integrated propulsion and maneuvering systems for pleasure craft vessels in 2011. For customers in the commercial marine industry, specifically the offshore, tug and salvage, dredge and merchant segments, the Cat Propulsion System will enable them to readily purchase a trusted Cat power solution as well as a heavy duty thruster or propeller system without having to rely on a third party vendor. Caterpillar will be able to optimize the propulsion system to maximize efficiency, maximize vessel availability and minimize operation cost. The user-friendly Cat control panel will ensure all components are easily configured and monitored on the vessel. The new Cat Propulsion System offerings will also be covered by the services offered by Cat Financial, providing vessel owners with the flexibility to better manage their fleet.

For more information on the Caterpillar complete marine propulsion packages, stop by the Caterpillar booth # 2802 and 2902 at the 2013 International Workboat Show, held October 9-11th in New Orleans, LA. To register for the show, please visit: http://ma-catinfo.com/Work-Boat-Show?elqCampaignId=335. For up to the minute information on Caterpillar Marine at the Workboat Show, follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/caterpillarmarine and Twitter https://twitter.com/CatMarineGlobal using #catatwbs. For more information about Cat and MaK marine engines, please visit marine.cat.com/pr.

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About Caterpillar Marine
Caterpillar Marine, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, groups all the marketing and service activities for Cat and MaK marine engines within Caterpillar Inc. The organisation provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,800 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 16,100  kWe in marine generator sets. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft wherever they are. More information is available at: marine.cat.com/pr

About Caterpillar
For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2012 sales and revenues of $65.875 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, clean diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. More information is available at www.cat.com.

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Note to Editors: Caterpillar rolls-out products and services in each of its territories at different time intervals. Although every effort is made to ensure that product information is released only after Caterpillar has received confirmation from our dealer network, our plants, and our marketing subsidiaries that products and services are available in the relevant region, editors are kindly requested to verify with their local dealer for product availability and specifications.

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