Atlas Maschinen buys Terex wheeled loader line

German manufacturer Atlas Maschinen has acquired all intellectual properties to manufacturer Terex’s large wheeled loader line, consisting of the TL160, TL210, TL260 and TL310 models, which range in size from 1.5m³ bucket capacity to 3m³.

Atlas Maschinen said it would produce the machines under both the Terex brand and under its Kaelble/Atlas brand. Production is set to start during the last three months of 2013.

It said production would be moved from Terex’s Crailsheim factory in Germany to Atlas Maschinen’s Ganderkesee factory, also in Germany.

Atlas Maschinen said Terex distributors would continue their relationship with Terex unless other agreements were made.

Atlas Maschinen owner and chairman Fil Filipov said the L160, L210, L260, L310 models, as they will be known, complemented the Kaelble/Atlas brand’s existing L420 and L450 models.

“I am happy that Atlas Maschinen will finally enter this important market with known products and the well-known Kaelble brand. Combining the Kaelble Large Loaders will give the distribution a respectable heavy wheeled loader line,” Mr Filipov said.

The company said it would incorporate EU Stage IV engine technology to its wheeled loaders in late 2014.

A Terex spokesperson said the company stopped production of the wheeled loader models acquired by Atlas Maschinen in April this year.

Difficult climate

“For the last four years, Terex has worked to find ways to make its Terex Deutschland compact equipment business profitable in the midst of a difficult economic climate and increasing competition,” the spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately, despite a number of operational changes, the strategic decision had to be made to build the business by concentrating on expansion and investment in our core product lines. This sale is an important step forward in the restructuring process of Terex Construction and our compact construction businesses in Germany.

“Terex Corporation will now focus on expansion and investment in our core business of mini- and midi- excavators and compact wheeled-loaders. We have made significant investments in Tier 4 versions our excavator products, and will continue to do so in the future, as we concentrate on our competitive Compact Equipment business.”

The price of the deal was not disclosed. Atlas Maschinen has a relationship with Terex, which owned the company up until 2010, when Atlas was acquired by Mr Filipov.

Also in 2010, Atlas Maschinen completed its purchase of Terex Atlas UK and renamed the company Atlas Cranes UK Ltd.