EDMONTON, AB (October 22nd, 2007) – Finning (Canada) and Caterpillar of Canada Inc. have signed a three-year partnership agreement valued at $600,000 with Alpine Canada Alpin that will provide significant financial resources in support of Canada’s quest to become a world-leading alpine ski racing nation.
“Our sponsorship recognizes the importance of investing in sport and excellence in Canada,” said Ian Reid, President of Finning (Canada). "We hope to enable Alpine Canada Alpin to achieve its goal of positioning Canada as the #1 alpine ski racing nation in the world by 2010.”
“This support is intended to benefit the national ski program as a whole – from the developmental athlete to the elite competitor,” added Jon Carman, President of Caterpillar of Canada Ltd. “We expect that this contribution will not only help put Canada’s elite alpine skiers on top of the podium, but will build strong grassroots programs across Canada so that amateur athletes have the skills, coaching and backing they need to realize their potential.”
Finning and Caterpillar will become a Champion level partner and the exclusive heavy equipment sector sponsor of Canada’s national ski racing teams, who are coming off the best-ever World Cup season in their history.
“Finning and Caterpillar are providing much needed additional financial resources to support our teams, our programs, and our goal of becoming the best in the world at every level,” said Ken Read, Chief Executive Officer, Alpine Canada Alpin. “We need financial, technical and human resources to ensure we keep pace with the ski racing world. This partnership with Finning and Caterpillar will really help us and we are very thankful that these two strong Canadian corporate partners have joined our team.”
Along with the sponsorship agreement, Gareth Sine (Calgary, AB), a World Junior Championship Super G silver medalist in 2005, will wear Finning Cat headgear on his helmet throughout the 2007/08 season.
“"As an Albertan, I am particularly thrilled to be wearing Finning and Caterpillar headgear on my helmet for the 2007/08 racing season. Like Finning and Caterpillar, my entire focus and dedication is centered on achievement and excellence. I look forward to a rewarding and successful partnership with my new headgear sponsor,” said Sine, who finished second in the Coupe Nor-Am Cup Downhill standings last season, earning a World Cup spot in the discipline for the 2007/08 season.
Canada’s national alpine and para-alpine athletes reached the World Cup podium 43 times and won one World Championship medal last season.
ABOUT FINNING (CANADA)
Finning (Canada) is a division of Finning International Inc., the world’s largest Caterpillar equipment dealer. Finning sells, rents and provides customer support services for Caterpillar equipment and engines in Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and NWT), the U.K., and South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay). Finning also owns Hewden, the largest equipment rental business in the U.K. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Finning International Inc. is a widely held, publicly traded corporation, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol FTT). For additional information please visit our website at www.finning.com
ABOUT CATERPILLAR
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2006 sales and revenues of $41.517 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at http://www.cat.com
ABOUT ALPINE CANADA ALPIN
Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) is the governing body for alpine ski racing in Canada with more than 50,000 athletes, coaches, officials and volunteer members and over 200,000 supporting members. ACA manages the high performance programs for the athletes of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team and the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team who represent Canada throughout the world. For more information on Alpine Canada Alpin, visit www.canski.org.
