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INDUSTRY NEWS 10 NOVEMBER 2016 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com Caterpillar is entering the home and outdoor power market with the introduction of portable generators — the Cat RP Series. The new generators are designed to provide reliable backup or recreational power to residential users and portable power to professional contractors who need to power tools and lights on the job. The initial models of portable generators in the Cat RP Series range in size and power from 3.6 kW to 7.5 kW in North America and 2.5 kW to 4.4 kW in Europe. This product is available to purchase through a new multi- channel distribution approach — including Cat Dealers, local retailers, and eventually national retailers and wholesalers — which will serve as Cat Home & Outdoor Power Authorized Sales and Service Centers. "This is about providing a new customer base with the right solutions for their home and outdoor power needs that reflect the reliability, rugged capabilities and quality with which Cat products are known," said George Taylor, Caterpillar vice president Stihl inaugurates extension to chain factory in Switzerland The Stihl Group inaugurated an extension to its Bronschhofen chain production facility in the Swiss Canton of St. Gallen on September 12. The investment totaled approximately 40 million Swiss francs. Adding 55 meters to the length of the existing chain factory has created 10,000 square meters of extra space for production and engineering. In time, this expansion will create 50 new jobs in Bronschhofen. "Our saw chains 'Made in Switzerland' occupy a leading position on the world market and are recognized for their technological excellence," said Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Stihl's supervisory and advisory board chairman. "The extension will further strengthen our position." The first workplaces will be ready by the end of the year. In his welcoming speech, Joachim Zappe, general manager of the Stihl chain facilities in Switzerland, said, "Such a large-scale building extension cannot be taken for granted in today's economic environment. In view of the strong Swiss franc, there are very few industrial companies at this time that would invest in a building project involving such high financial resources." Zappe went on to say, "But over the last year and a half, we have succeeded in further increasing productivity, cutting costs, and, at the same time, guaranteeing our indispensable premium quality. On this basis, I firmly believe in medium and long-term growth of chain production." Dr. Bertram Kandziora, Stihl executive board chairman, added, "The extension is a sign of the confidence we have in the successful future of the saw chain business — and that means here in Switzerland." In the course of building the extension, approximately 16,500 cubic meters of earth were excavated, 900 tons of reinforcing steel used, 5,500 cubic meters of concrete poured, and 350 tons of structural steelwork erected. At the same time, an environmentally friendly energy concept was implemented. The entire building and many of the production processes will be heated with the aid of a heat recovery system and a heat pump that utilizes the waste heat from air compressors and production machinery. There is no need for an additional boiler or the use of fossil fuels. This energy concept helps save about 1,500-megawatt hours of electricity and up to 400 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Therefore, the extension "also benefits the environment," said Kandziora. Stihl is currently the only chain saw manufacturer in the world to develop and produce not only powerheads, but also its own guide bars and saw chain. "That is a decisive success factor and is evidence of our claim to deliver premium quality in all areas," said Kandziora. The saw chains are exported to 160 countries. Due to a constantly growing demand, the Swiss facilities have steadily expanded during the past few years. At the present time, approximately 850 men and women are employed at the Stihl chain production plants in Wil and Bronschhofen. INAUGURATION CEREMONY — Pictured from left to right are as follows: Daniel Fuchs, architect; Joachim Zappe, general manager, Stihl Switzerland; Dr. Bertram Kandziora, executive board chairman; Hans Peter Stihl; Dr. Nikolas Stihl; Bruno Damann, councilor, St. Gallen; and Susanne Hartmann, mayor of Wil. HOT NEWS Caterpillar enters home and outdoor power market with responsibility for the Marketing & Digital Division and the company's chief marketing officer. Taylor added, "We want to connect these customers to Caterpillar's decades of experience in the electric power business, and this new distribution approach means we can do just that." The new products will be introduced to distribution networks in the United States and Canada during the remainder of 2016 with a move into European networks late in the year. An expanded home and outdoor power portfolio is under development with more product launches anticipated in 2017. For more information on the new generator line, visit www.cat.com/ homeandoutdoorpower.