GNL S.P.A.

(OFFICINE MECCANICHE GNL SPA)

May 10, 1995
32CB

COMPETITIVE TYPE: Manufacturer

MAJOR PRODUCT CLASSES: Undercarriage (Seals)

Drive Train (Seals)

LOCATIONS:

GNL reportedly owns administrative headquarters, registered office, offices and plant located at 41100 Modena, Italy,
totaling 7,000 sq. meters, 4,000 sq. meters are built on. (3/95 D&B)
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***The following LOCATION, EMPLOYMENT, and SALES information comes from LJPaulson's 3/95 Trip Report.
A 3/95 D&B report does not list any facilities outside of Modena, and employment and sales information is
significantly less.***

GNL reportedly has small facilities at Nonantola and Vignola, Italy that manufacture the larger rings. 80 people are
employed in total, with 50 at the Modena facility. They operate two shifts currently and as of 3/95 were fully
burdened through October, 1995. Business is so good now that they are considering expanding their building in
Modena to add more capacity. Annual sales are reportedly in excess of $20 million. (3/95 - LJPaulson, Trip Report)

EMPLOYMENT:

1979 = 50
Dec 1992 = 53 (41 laborers, 12 clerks) (3/94 - D&B)
???? = 53 (41 laborers, 12 clerks) (3/95 - D&B)

SALES:

Fiscal year ends December 31.

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The following 1990-1994 sales (Lira) information comes from 3/94 and 3/95 D&Bs:

Exchange
Lira Dollars Rate
1979 = L150,000,000 $178,571 --
1990 = L8,366,000,000 $6,984,000 1197.92
1991 = L5,465,000,000 $4,407,000 1240.00
1992 = L6,491,406,129 $5,277,223 1230.08
1994 = L8,000,000,000 $4,964,000 1611.70
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1992 Operating Profits L102,324,391 ($83,185) (3/94-D&B)
1992 Net Worth L3,711,000,000 ($3,016,877) (3/94-D&B)
HISTORY:

1962 - January, GNL was established as a limited partnership in Modena, Italy by Nicolini Giorgio and Leoni
Norberto.

PRODUCTS:

GNL offers seals from 45-886 mm in outer diameter. All seals are a 52100 type steel, forged or ring rolled, turned,
heat treated, ground, flat lapped, washed and packaged. They manufacture both the Duo-Cone style of seal group and
the l-shaped cross section typical of CR Industries and Berco HEX. They offer conventional and inverted Duo-Cone
type seals. GNL reportedly produces 3-4 million seals per year (it is unclear whether this meant groups or seal rings).

They obtain their forgings primarily from Umbra Richatti, an Italian forging supplier. They do no heat treat in house
and use a variety of suppliers.

GNL offers seals for Caterpillar, Berco, Deere, Case, Fiatallis, etc. applications. (3/95 - LJPaulson Trip Report)
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Manufacturer and wholesaler of industrial vehicle and tractor spare parts. Specializations include seals for track and
carrier rollers, front idlers, sprockets, and final drives for tractors of several makes including Fiat-Allis, International,
Komatsu, Deere, Caterpillar and others. (9/89)

PRODUCT FEATURES:
QUALITY:

GNL expects to be ISO 9002 certified by end of 1995 or first quarter 1996.

GNL exclusively use the 52100 type steel. This has been shown in Caterpillar wear tests to be inadequate for many
applications. (3/95 - LJPaulson, Trip Report)
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For specific information, refer to the following current Competitive Test Reports (CTR), as of 5/94:

CTRDT94-2 GNL Metal-To-Metal Seal

CTRDT95-2 GNL Seal Group

MARKETING:
PRODUCT SUPPORT, WARRANTY:
PRICING:

DISTRIBUTION & GEOGRAPHIC AREAS SERVED:

GNL reportedly has over 200 customers. They have no OEM accounts. Believed to be Caterpillar's largest
aftermarket competitor for Duo-Cone Seals.
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Territory is 40% national, 60% of sales are export. (3/94 and 3/95 -D&Bs)
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The following are distributors of GNL product according to Cat dealers submitting CPRs during the latest eight
quarters as of 3/94:

NACD -
American Crane & Tractor
COSA -
S.A. Sealing Systems
CofA -
Consolidated Bearing
Bearing Services
CFEL -
Srinakhon Tractor
Track Equip. Co.
Joon Chiap Trading
Mentakab Tractor Pts.
Parts Trading Co.
Total Corporation
Wrenco
----
As of 5/95 only one observation shown for latest 8 quarters, reported by COSA dealer FSA, distributor is Rodajes
Malagna.

GENERAL:

Associate Member of Independent Distributors Association (IDA). (1990 Membership Roster)

APPARENT MARKETING STRATEGY:

ASSESSMENT OF STRENGTHS:
ASSESSMENT OF WEAKNESSES:

FUTURE OUTLOOK: Financial condition fair, trend even. (3/95-D&B)

DUNS (D&B NUMBER): 42-878-6107
SIC (CODES): 35 23 Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers
LAST D&B: March 31, 1995
LAST PROFILE REVIEW/UPDATE: May 10, 1995