The United States Army last week awarded Case Construction Equipment, a brand of CNH, a five-year contract valued at over $50 million for more than 500 High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE) Type III backhoe loaders. Delivery will begin in 2006, with completion set for 2010.

Customized to meet unique Army requirements, these Case HMEE Type III machines are 14-foot class backhoe loaders that incorporate features and technology from the Case M Series 2, such as pilot controls, Ride Control and Pro Control hydraulic system.

Important considerations in the Army’s selection, according to James Hasler, director, Strategic Accounts, include not only the reputation of Case backhoe loaders in terms of reliability, technical specifications and global support, but also the company’s past performance record serving the U.S. Military.

In addition to this contract award, the company has earned several other U.S. military contracts in recent months, with a combined value of more than $36 million. These awards include the remanufacture of 400 Case MW24C wheel loaders to original equipment specifications for the U.S. Army National Guard, the refurbishing (RESET) of 100 Case MW24C wheel loaders to fully mission-capable standards for the Army, and the re-powering of 500 Case M4K forklifts for the Army.

This most-recent military contract is the first with CNH involving the manufacture of new machines.

Robin Killian, vice president, Case Construction Equipment, pointed out that another important factor in the selection of Case as the preferred supplier of HMEE Type III backhoe loaders is the global logistical and product support the company is able to provide. “We are working with our dealers and supplier partners to ensure timely delivery of parts and service wherever these machines are deployed around the globe,” he said.

Work is to be completed at the CNH manufacturing plant in Burlington, Iowa.