Finning takes on Cat dealership in Northern Ireland

Finning International has been appointed Caterpillar dealer for Northern Ireland, replacing previous dealer McCormick Macnaughton, which entered into receivership earlier this year.

Finning is also poised to become Cat's dealer in the Republic of Ireland, where McCormick Macnaughton was also the Cat dealer. It entered into administration around the same time as its sister business in Northern Ireland. Finning said discussions with the receivers were at an advanced stage "and we anticipate these will be concluded in the coming days."

The deal does not include ther significant equipment rental businesss operated by McCormick Macnaughton, called MAC Rental. This was a Cat Rental Store, and was created partly through the acquisition in 2004 of A-Plant's Irish rental business.

If completed, the deals will mean that Toronto-based Finning will add the whole of Ireland to its list of Caterpillar dealerships, which comprises the rest of the UK, Western Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay.

In Northern Ireland, Finning has acquired some assets from the administrator for approximately £3.1 million.

The new business will be part of a Finning UK and Ireland operation. Sean Madigan, former McCormick Macnaughton employee has been appointed general manager of the Northern Ireland operation.

Mike Waites, president and CEO of Finning, said; "We are pleased to add this neighbouring territory to our established UK operations. We will be able to leverage our existing infrastructure and service expertise to complement our UK dealership. Being awarded the dealer territory for Northern Ireland speaks highly of Finning's relationship with Caterpillar."