Caterpillar Emissions Solutions Expands Capabilities Through Acquisition of CleanAIR Systems

By Sharon Holling

Caterpillar Emissions Solutions signed a definitive agreement to purchase CleanAIR Systems, Inc. in June. Upon completion of the transaction, CleanAIR Systems became a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. within the Customer Services Support Division.

CleanAIR Systems is a privately owned company in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and is a leader in designing and manufacturing customized stationary aftertreatment solutions for internal combustion engines. The broad product line includes California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified particulate filters, oxidation catalysts and silencers as well as an innovative hybrid selective-catalytic-reduction/particulate-filter/silencer system. These products and CleanAIR’s engineering expertise have seen especially strong use in retrofitting engine-powered generators, and they have application in diverse industries.

“Lowering the emissions output of our legacy equipment is one of the most significant steps we can take to help our customers do their work in a more sustainable manner. The CleanAIR products add significantly to our ability to accomplish emissions reductions for our electric power, petroleum and marine customers,” said Terry Sears, Manager, Caterpillar Emissions Solutions. "Our goal is to be the leader and the preferred provider of emissions reduction technologies for the existing population of Cat products around the globe."

In 2008, Caterpillar Emissions Solutions signed an Allied Vendor Agreement with CleanAIR Systems to strengthen the stationary aftertreatment business. The acquisition will build on the success of the vendor agreement and the working relationships developed with Cat® dealers. About 70 percent of CleanAIR products were going to Cat dealers under the agreement.

“We are extremely pleased that CleanAIR Systems has joined the Caterpillar family. After working together for several years as an allied vendor of Caterpillar, we feel this is a natural progression,” said Michael Roach, President, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. “My staff and I are looking forward to an exciting future helping the worldwide Cat Dealer Network and their customers meet air quality regulations.”

Caterpillar Emissions Solutions will provide marketing and engineering support to CleanAIR Systems, assist with CARB and EPA Verification, and jointly develop next-generation products for Caterpillar customers.

The acquisition is closed in July, 2010. CleanAIR Systems will remain headquartered in Santa Fe and will be known as CleanAIR Systems, Inc.- A Caterpillar Company.