CAT
CAT construction machines.
The company now know as Caterpillar Inc. was founded in April and May 1925 when on the advice of Harry H. Fair from the renowned bond brokerage house of Pierce, Fair & Company, market leader Holt Caterpillar and the financially better off C.L. Best consolidated to form the Caterpillar Tractor Co. The company’s headquarters was located in San Leandro where it remained until 1930 were as per the terms of the merger agreement operations moved to Peoria. During the Second World War Caterpillar products continued to build upon the success that Holt Tractors had achieved in World War I. Though whereas Holt experienced serious financial trouble in the years following the First World War. Caterpillar benefited greatly from the post-war boom in construction, leading to rapid growth within the company and leading to its first overseas venture in 1950, which marked the beginning of Caterpillars transformation into globe Multinational Corporation.
The current caterpillar product line consists of more than 300 industry standard setting machines. Including but in no way limited to: Forest machines, hydraulic excavators, articulated trucks, knuckleboom loaders, wheel dozers and many more. Having such a large number of products available to the industry means that caterpillar is able to provide the right tool for almost any job while the continual introduction and updating of products ensures that they remain the market leader in the construction vehicle field.
Caterpillar’s business structure is separated into three main categories: Engines, machinery, and financial products. Caterpillar is the world’s premier manufacturer of medium speed engines, as well as being one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high speed diesel engines, producing engine ratings ranging from 10 – 21,760 hp. The engines produced by caterpillar are not only used in their own vehicles, but for ships, locomotives, semi-trailer trucks in addition to providing peaker plants and emergency generators a source of power. Caterpillar engines can be found in almost any location where powerful and reliable machinery is to be found. From mines in far off mountain ranges to small family run farms.
In 2004, the company unveiled ACERT diesel engines with emission ratings that exceeded federal guideline standards. Then in 2007 Caterpillar released a new generation of ACERT to meet increasingly stricter federal standards. “More than 65% of the largest fleets are operating our new engines. Many fleets that traditionally haven’t bought Cat engines are now specifying ACERT for its fuel economy and reliability advantage over competing engines,” said Steve Brown, director of marketing for Caterpillar On-Highway Engines. “With such a strong positive response to our new engines equipped with ACERT Technology, we’re well positioned again to provide the best value to customers when the next level of EPA regulations go into effect in 2007,” Brown said. “In fact, we have a demonstration truck on the road today that meets the 2007 standard, as well as additional engines in our laboratory using our ACERT Technology to meet these more stringent emissions standards.”
Caterpillar is a company that refuses be left in the past. Their continued research and development into more environmentally friendly products means that not only do they meet today’s stringent standards, but they are full prepared to take on the continuing challenges that tomorrow may bring.