Caterpillar trucks are the equipment that help to keep the world moving. From the first farm tractor in 1903 to modern machines for heavy construction, mining and industrial warehousing, Caterpillar’s products are used all over the globe.
The company’s history spans a century and a half, with connections to Russian Czars, famous explorers, A-list movie stars and more. Watch the video below to learn more about Caterpillar’s roots and how the company has grown into the international leader it is today.
During the Great Depression, the company stayed afloat partly by selling tractors and combines to the Soviet Union to help with its first Five-Year Plan (1929-31). The firm became known for its diesel engines, which powered the Sherman (M4) tank during World War II.
After the war, the company remained active in the tractor and truck business, producing large equipment for reconstruction and building roads and dams. It also produced bulldozers for use in the building of the Panama Canal.
As the world shifted from a gas-powered to a diesel-fueled economy, the demand for heavy equipment soared. During this period, the company produced many types of engines, including those that power locomotives and ships, as well as electricity-generating systems.
In 1998, Caterpillar purchased Perkins Engines of Peterborough, England, and extended its global position as a full-line maker of diesel and gas reciprocating engines. The acquisition also created Caterpillar’s largest engine brand, and allowed the company to expand its product portfolio in the small engine segment.
Since then, the company has built a number of manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Its Tosno plant in Russia, for example, was completed in 16 months and is the first factory in the former Soviet Union. The company also built a $125 million facility in Suzhou, China, to manufacture medium-wheel loaders and motor graders for the Asian market.
While the company continues to be one of the Caterpillar trucks history leading producers of tractors, trucks, excavators and other heavy machinery for a variety of industries worldwide, it remains focused on improving its efficiency and reducing its costs. To do so, it has implemented a series of cost-cutting measures, such as the use of more efficient and environmentally friendly materials for components.
For instance, Caterpillar has redesigned its diesel engines to meet or exceed new emission standards and requirements put in place by the EPA. This effort was aimed at increasing engine performance and efficiency without sacrificing fuel economy, which is important in today’s world of tighter emissions regulations.
Another key element of the company’s strategy is to invest in and develop new technologies that can benefit the company’s customers. This includes the implementation of the Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology program, which reduces nitrogen oxide emissions while still maintaining a high level of torque and horsepower.
The company has also developed a number of other innovative engines and engines-related products, such as the Caterpillar C7 diesel engine, which was released in 2003, just months before stricter Tier 4 emissions requirements went into effect on January 1, 2004.