PART I

Item 1. Business

OVERVIEW

   We are a global power leader that designs, manufactures, distributes and services diesel and natural gas engines, electric power generation systems and engine-related component products, including filtration and exhaust aftertreatment, fuel systems, controls and air handling systems. We were founded in 1919 as one of the first manufacturers of diesel engines and are headquartered in Columbus, Indiana. We sell our products to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), distributors and other customers worldwide. We have long-standing relationships with many of the leading manufacturers in the markets we serve, including Chrysler LLC, Daimler AG, Volvo AB, PACCAR Inc., International Truck and Engine Corporation (Navistar International Corporation), CNH Global N.V., Komatsu, Scania AB, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen. We serve our customers through a network of more than 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 5,200 dealer locations in more than 190 countries and territories.

   Our financial performance depends, in large part, on varying conditions in the markets we serve, particularly the on-highway, construction and general industrial markets. Demand in these markets tends to fluctuate in response to overall economic conditions and is particularly sensitive to changes in interest rate levels. Our sales may also be impacted by OEM inventory levels and production schedules and stoppages. Economic downturns in markets we serve generally result in reductions in sales and pricing of our products. As a worldwide business, our operations are also affected by political, economic and regulatory matters, including environmental and emissions standards, in the countries we serve. However, our geographic diversity and broad product and service offerings have helped limit the impact of any one industry and the economy of any single country upon our consolidated results. This was effectively demonstrated throughout 2007 as we continued to experience strong sales and earnings despite a decline of approximately 50 percent in the North American heavy-duty truck engine market due to new emissions regulations. More than half of our 2007 sales came from countries other than the United States. The diversity of our business portfolio has contributed to significant organic growth over the past several years.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

   We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘SEC’’). You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information that issuers (including Cummins) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s internet site is www.sec.gov.

   Our internet site is www.cummins.com. You can access Cummins Investors and Media webpage through our internet site, by clicking on the heading ‘‘Investors and Media.’’ Cummins makes available free of charge, on or through our Investors and Media webpage, its proxy statements, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We also make available, through our Investors and Media webpage, under the heading of ‘‘SEC filings’’ within the ‘‘Financial Information’’ heading, statements of beneficial ownership of Cummins equity securities filed by its directors, officers, 10 percent or greater shareholders and others under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

   We also have a Corporate Governance webpage. You can access Cummins Corporate Governance webpage through our internet site, www.cummins.com, by clicking on the heading ‘‘Investors and Media’’ and then the topic heading of ‘‘Governance Documents’’ within the ‘‘Corporate Governance’’ heading. Cummins posts the following on its Corporate Governance webpage:

   Cummins Code of Conduct applies to all of our employees, regardless of their position or the country in which they work. It also applies to the employees of any entity owned or controlled by Cummins Inc. We will post any amendments to the Code of Conduct and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (‘‘NYSE’’), on our internet site. The information on Cummins internet site is not incorporated by reference into this report.

   You may request a copy of these documents at no cost by contacting Cummins Inc. Investor Relations at 500 Jackson Street, Mail Code 60115, Columbus, IN 47201 (812-377-3121) or by sending an email request to: investor_relations@cummins.com.

   In accordance with NYSE Rules, on May 15, 2007, we filed the annual certification by our CEO that, as of the date of the certification, he was unaware of any violation by the company of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards.

COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

   We believe the following competitive strengths are instrumental to our success:

   Our continual investment in and attention to furthering brand equity in our offerings and across our business units includes leveraging and creating brand identity, brand value and brand presence for our offerings in our markets of interest. During 2006, we successfully rebranded our major operating business units to reflect the Cummins name and brand in furtherance of our overall branding strategy. In part, as a result of this investment and by seeking to aggregate brand strength in complementary markets, we also gain recognition in and across our markets for our offerings, continually seek new and innovative means to further develop and expand market share through our brand equity position and strengthen customer relationships.

While our portfolio of branded products and offerings contains a number of market leaders, we operate in a highly competitive sector and our branded offerings compete with the brands offered by other manufacturers and distributors that produce and sell similar offerings.


Back | |