World Cup FRANCE 98 – Press Releases

Paris, 26 June 1997

CATERPILLAR, Equipment Supplier to FRANCE 98

Fernand Sastre and Michel Platini, Presidents of the French Organising Committee, today signed a partnership agreement with Caterpillar, world leaders in earth-moving equipment and civil engineering, and one of the biggest manufacturers of diesel and gas motors.

By the terms of this contract, Caterpillar becomes an Official Equipment Supplier to FRANCE 98 and will furnish the International Media Centre with generating sets and air conditioning.

“The French Organising Committee is delighted to welcome among its partners a company with a world-wide reputation for its products as well as its customer service”, said Fernand Sastre, at the signing ceremony.

Through its subsidiary, Cat Rental Power, and its utility company in France, Bergerat Monnoyeur Energie, Caterpillar will furnish air conditioning equipment and generating sets, whilst also providing technical assistance. Showpower, a Los Angeles-based company which has previously teamed up with Caterpillar for cultural and sporting events, will install and run the equipment.

“Caterpillar is honoured to be contributing to the organisation and success of the 16th football World Cup through its technical expertise in energy production. This contract reflects the company’s commitment to major sporting events such as the Olympic Games in Barcelona and Albertville in 1992, or in Lillehammer in 1994, and confirms its leading position in the field of diesel motors and generator rentals”, said Mikhael Doueihi, head of the Electric Power Generation department for Caterpillar Overseas Ltd.

Based at Peoria, Illinois, USA, Caterpillar is the world’s leading earth-moving equipment and civil engineering company, and one of the biggest manufacturers of diesel and gas motors. Caterpillar products are made and sold all over the world through 192 independent utility companies. Caterpillar employs 57,000 staff world-wide and posts revenues of 16.5 billion US dollars per year.

In Europe, the company owns production facilities, spare parts distribution centres and installations which employ a further 12,000 personnel. And an additional 11,000 staff work in the Caterpillar utility network which spans the continent.

After the hotel group ACCOR, the R.A.T.P. (Paris metropolitan area rail network), the Frisquet company, the Arjo-Wiggins Group, the Lafarge Group, Guilbert, the S.N.C.F., Primagaz, France Secours, Générale Location and Yves Saint Laurent, Caterpillar is the eleventh company to become an Official Equipment Supplier to FRANCE 98.