Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/933470
EquipmentWorld.com | January 2018 17 staff report 2017 D espite some unrealized expectations – hello, infrastructure bill – 2017 turned out to be an exceptional year for equipment buy- ers and makers. Here's a quick overview, plus a timeline, of what happened in the construction industry last year. And check out our editor's quick predictions for 2018 on page 24. (Note: In order to meet our print deadlines, our coverage was cut off in early December and will not reflect late developing stories.) After identifying Wirtgen as an attractive strategic fit sev- eral years ago, John Deere pulled the trigger in a surprise move this June, buying German equipment manufacturer Wirtgen Group. The all-cash $5.2 billion deal gave Deere access to Wirtgen's deep roots in roadbuilding and quarry equipment markets. The deal also made Deere the first manufacturer to offer crushing and screening as well as mobile equipment. In the acquisition announcement, Deere said it would maintain Wirtgen's brands – Hamm, Vogele, Wirtgen, Kleeman and Benninghoven – along with its manufacturing footprint, employees and distribution network. Released during the sale announcement, this graphic shows how the Deere and Wirtgen brands will be integrated on the jobsite to provide a full line of construction and roadbuilding equipment. (Note: Wirtgen crushers and screeners are also part of quarry operations.) 2017's Top Newsmaker: Deere buys Wirtgen