JCB buys Vibromax

JCB has bought German-based compaction equipment manufacturer Vibromax.
The products will be branded as JCB Vibromax and all 170 employees, mainly at its Leipzig facility, will be retained.
JCB managing director John Patterson said: "This is only the second time JCB has bought another manufacturer. Our growth has historically been organic, but the Vibromax
products are complementary to our existing line-up."
Vibromax has been manufact-uring compaction equipment for more than 60 years. The range consists of single-drum soil compactors, vibratory tandem rollers, trench rollers and light equipment, such as tampers and plates.
The acquisition is expected to be completed by early September, subject to regulatory approvals.
"The first JCB Vibromax machines will be in the UK by the end of the year," Patterson said.
It is estimated that Vibromax has about 4% of the worldwide compaction equipment market, although Patterson said the company hoped to increase this to 10% in the short term.
JCB has also bought the Vibromax dealer network, which Patterson said will enhance JCB's distribution network in Germany.
In 2004, JCB manufactured 37,000 machines globally and this year it is predicting more than 40,000 units will be made, excluding any Vibromax machines.
The company claimed this would make JCB the world's fourth largest construction equipment manufacturer, based on production numbers.