Finning International Inc. (TSX:FTT) has announced its intention to expand its dealer relationship with Weiler, Inc., following Caterpillar Inc.’s announcement that it has entered into a preliminary agreement to sell its Cat® purpose-built forestry business to Weiler.

“Finning already has a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with Weiler and we look forward to growing that relationship through distributing this portfolio of machines for the forestry industry through our extensive dealer networks in Canada and South America,” said Juan Carlos Villegas, COO of Finning International.

Founded in 2000, Weiler has a long-standing history of successfully manufacturing purpose-built equipment distributed through the Cat® dealer network. Finning will work to distribute Weiler’s purpose built-forestry machines including wheel skidders, track feller bunchers, wheel feller bunchers and knuckleboom loaders while continuing to provide Cat’s® forestry excavators designed for log loading, processing and other forestry applications. Weiler’s product offering is complementary to other specialty forestry lines already offered through Finning.

“We remain strongly committed to our forestry business and expect Weiler’s forestry customers will benefit greatly from the exceptional sales and service experience that Finning, as Caterpillar’s largest equipment dealer, is proud to be known for,” added Juan Carlos Villegas. “We will work with Caterpillar and Weiler during their transition to ensure a seamless customer experience.”

Photo:  Juan Carlos Villegas, COO of Finning International.