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Wacker Neuson

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Wacker Neuson SE
Company typeSocietas Europaea
FWB: WAC
SDAX
ISINDE000WACK012 Edit this on Wikidata
IndustryConstruction equipment
Founded1848
FounderJohann Christian Wacker
HeadquartersMunich, Germany
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Dr. Karl Tragl (CEO and chairman of the executive board)
 * Felix Bietenbeck
 * Christoph Burkhard
 * Alexander Greschner
* Hans Neunteufel (Chairman of the supervisory board)
Revenue€1.87 billion (2021)[1]
Number of employees
6,000 (2021)[1]
Websitewww.wackerneusongroup.com

Wacker Neuson SE (formerly Wacker Construction Equipment AG) is a German manufacturer of construction equipment and compact machines for concrete and construction site technology. Headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, the company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The group comprises the brands Wacker Neuson, Kramer, and Weidemann. Founded as a family business in 1848, it employed around 6,600 people worldwide as of 2023.[2]

History

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The company was founded in 1848 by Johann Christian Wacker as a blacksmith’s shop in Dresden, Germany, under the name Wacker. Industrial production began in 1875. In 1930, engineers developed high-frequency technology for internal concrete vibrators,[3] and introduced the first electrically powered rammer, a compact machine for soil compaction.[4]

Before World War II, the company expanded its product portfolio and sales network domestically and internationally. However, the production facility in Dresden was destroyed near the war’s end, halting operations.

Business resumed in 1945 in Kulmbach, and the headquarters moved to Munich in 1951. The first foreign affiliate was established in 1957 in Hartford, Wisconsin, United States, later relocating to Menomonee Falls in 1986, where a production and logistics center exists.[1]

Wacker transitioned from a limited company (GmbH) to a public limited company (AG) in 2002 under the name Wacker Construction Equipment AG. Until 2005, it focused on light construction equipment up to about three tons, including concrete technology, soil and asphalt compaction, demolition, and utility tools.

In 2005, Wacker acquired Weidemann GmbH, expanding into compact construction equipment and agriculture.[5] In 2006, the company acquired Drillfix AG (Switzerland) and Ground Heaters, Inc. (USA).

The company was floated on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 15 May 2007 and joined the Prime Standard and the SDAX index later that year.[6]

On 31 October 2007, Wacker merged with Neuson Kramer Baumaschinen AG, based in Linz, Austria, a manufacturer of compact excavators, wheel loaders, dumpers, and skid steer loaders. Neuson Kramer was formed in 2001 from the merger of Neuson Baumaschinen GmbH (founded 1990) and Kramer-Werke GmbH. Neuson started as Neuson Hydraulics GmbH in 1981. Lifton Ltd., a dumper manufacturer, was acquired in 1998, and skid steer loaders were added in 2004.[7]

In February 2009, the company changed its legal form and name to Wacker Neuson SE.[8]

Between 2011 and 2017, Wacker Neuson produced mini excavators for Caterpillar Inc. at its Hörsching plant in Austria, which was recognized among Austria’s Leading Companies in 2015. In 2017, Kramer formed a strategic alliance with John Deere to sell telehandlers and wheel loaders via John Deere’s dealer network.[9]

In 2022, Wacker Neuson acquired Spanish company Enarco S.A., specializing in light construction equipment for concrete compaction. Enar’s production is based in Zaragoza, Spain.[10]

Group overview

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Headquarters Munich
Wacker Neuson electric machines in application
Wheel loader 8155 by Kramer with typical all-wheel drive

Wacker Neuson SE operates worldwide, organizing its business into three main regions: Europe, America, and Asia-Pacific. The group divides its activities into three primary segments:

  • **Light Equipment:** Hand-held and walk-behind tools such as rammers, vibratory plates, hammers, cutting tools, and vibrators.
  • **Compact Equipment:** Machinery up to approximately 14 tons, including compact excavators, wheel loaders, telescopic handlers, skid-steer loaders, and dumpers.
  • **Services:** Spare parts, maintenance, and repair.

Applications span construction, civil engineering, road building, agriculture, landscaping, municipal works, recycling, and industrial projects.

The group includes the brands Wacker Neuson, Kramer, and Weidemann, along with several production plants and affiliates.

Brands

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  • **Wacker Neuson:** Offers walk-behind and hand-held construction equipment and compact construction machinery worldwide.
  • **Kramer:** Specializes in all-wheel-drive wheel loaders, telescopic handlers, and telescopic wheel loaders.
  • **Weidemann:** Focuses mainly on articulated wheel loaders, telescopic wheel loaders, and telehandlers for agricultural use.

Management

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Since June 2021, Dr. Karl Tragl has served as CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board. The Supervisory Board is chaired by Hans Neunteufel, a member of the founding family.

Shareholder structure

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As of December 31, 2019:[11]

  • 58.0% share pool (families Wacker and Neunteufel)
  • 42.0% free float

Innovations

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Hermann Wacker invented the first vibratory rammer in 1930, a milestone in construction equipment.[3]

The Group continuously develops alternative drive technologies, driver assistance systems, and digital networking of products and services.

Zero emission

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Since 2015, Wacker Neuson has offered battery-powered vibratory rammers enabling emission-free construction. Its zero emission solutions allow entire construction sites to operate without emissions while maintaining performance comparable to conventional machines for an average workday.

Autonomous vibratory plate

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At the 2019 Bauma fair, the company presented the autonomously controlled vibratory plate DPU110r with compaction control. It is operated via a tablet, allowing the user to mark compaction areas digitally. The machine automatically documents the work, generating daily reports for contractors.

Smart Factory

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Wacker Neuson develops "Smart Factory" solutions to optimize production. These include assistance systems in assembly, digital quality management, and the use of 3D printing for prototyping. The company also works on creating "digital twins" for improved machine monitoring and time management.

Smart processes

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The Group tests augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality technologies to enhance processes such as attachment positioning, version comparison, and operator visibility.[12]

Locations

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Group headquarters

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  • Wacker Neuson SE, Munich, Germany

Training center Europe

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  • Wacker Neuson Academy, Reichertshofen, Germany

Production Europe

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  • Wacker Neuson SE, Reichertshofen, Germany
  • Wacker Neuson Linz GmbH, Hörsching, Austria
  • Weidemann GmbH, Diemelsee-Flechtdorf, Germany
  • Kramer-Werke GmbH, Pfullendorf, Germany
  • Wacker Neuson Kragujevac d.o.o., Kragujevac, Serbia

Production America

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  • Wacker Neuson Corporation, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, USA

Production Asia

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  • Wacker Neuson Machinery (China) Co., Ltd., Pinghu City, Zhejiang Province, China

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Wacker Neuson Annual Report 2021" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Wacker Neuson Group: strong revenue and earnings growth in fiscal 2023 – focus on Strategy 2030". Wacker Neuson Group. 2024-03-26. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  3. ^ a b "History of Wacker".
  4. ^ "Our History – Wacker Neuson". www.wackerneuson.com. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  5. ^ "WACKER übernimmt die WEIDEMANN-Gruppe / Wachstum auf über 460 Mio. EUR Umsatz und 2.500 Mitarbeiter / Mit Radlader-Spezialist erweitert WACKER Construction Equipment AG Produktportfolio". FinanzNachrichten.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  6. ^ "SDAX".
  7. ^ [citation needed]
  8. ^ [citation needed]
  9. ^ [citation needed]
  10. ^ "Press release "Enar officially joins the Wacker Neuson Group"". Retrieved 2022-07-05.
  11. ^ "Shareholder Structure".
  12. ^ "BI_Baumagazin".
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