BUSINESS MEMO: CATERPILLAR PURCHASE

Caterpillar Inc. has acquired Sabre Engines Ltd., a family-owned British company that specializes in manufacturing high-performance marine diesel engines.

The deal, announced last week, enables Caterpillar to offer smaller marine diesels to complement the line of 27 large marine engine models it already sells, company officials said.

"The benefit to our customers and the marine industry is that boat builders will be able to one-stop-shop a wider horsepower range for Caterpillar marine power systems," said Douglas Oberhelman, vice president of the Engine Products Division.

Caterpillar and Sabre have had a relationship since 1991, with a Caterpillar subsidiary providing basic engines to Sabre for finishing.