Last week Wacker Neuson gave its dealers a preview of the new skid steer loaders to be publicly launched at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014. The company's annual dealer summit at its North American headquarters also provided the chance for one lucky dealer to win the first skid steer off the Menomonee Falls, Wis., assembly line.
"With the addition of our new skid steer line, we can now offer dealers the most comprehensive and competitively unique line of light and compact equipment in the industry," said Christopher Barnard, Wacker Neuson president & CEO.
"Wacker Neuson decided for its own development in order to control the design, the manufacturing, the quality, and the cost, which will benefit us all," Barnard said. "We are confident that these new models will exemplify the quality and durability that the industry associates with the Wacker Neuson brand."
Wacker Neuson has more than ten years of experience in designing and manufacturing skid steer loaders for the European market.
"The requirements of the customers in the U.S. are different, and North America is the biggest skid steer market in the world. That's the reason why we decided to design a product line for this important market", said Martin Lehner, CTO of Wacker Neuson SE.
The design of the skid steers will be done jointly between Wacker Neuson's facility in Hoersching, Austria, and Menomonee Falls. The new models will officially hit the market at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, March 4-8, 2014, in Las Vegas with two skid steer and two track loaders offered in a variety of packages and price ranges to fit the North American market.
Dealers Respond, Winner Announced
After getting their first look at the skid steer product line, the machines were moved to the dirt to give dealers a chance to operate them.
"These machines look and feel robust and tough," said Sam Eaton, vice president and general manager, Knickerbocker Russell Co., Pittsburgh, Penn. "It's a nice looking machine and was very responsive, comfortable with easy-to-reach controls. The 75-hp engine had all the power it needed. The cab is ergonomically pleasing and the best I've ever seen. It took only a few minutes to get the hang of it."
Jeff Barnes, CEO of Barnsco, Dallas, Texas, said, "We were looking for a quality skid steer to go into our rental line and this certainly fits that requirement. It is a well-designed, comfortable unit that is capable of meeting the demands of any job."
Ryan Ouye, general manager, Service Rentals and Supply, Maui, Hawaii, won the drawing for the first machine off the production line.
"The winning skid steer will go into our rental fleet and half of the rental revenue will be donated to a local non-profit," Ouye vowed. "Our employees will be able to choose which organization will receive the donation."
