95 Years: A Testament to Our Incredible Global Team, Customers and Partners
April 15, 2020
Today we’re celebrating a special milestone: our 95-year anniversary.
In the early years, Caterpillar’s founders were focused on helping our customers complete some tough jobs: logging, farming, building, working on mine sites and clearing roads. It wasn’t easy work, but they were determined to help lighten the load with their track-type tractor product offerings. Back then, they knew products alone weren’t enough – that’s why they focused on building something else that was truly unique, a strong service network.
So, what’s changed in 95 years? The world certainly looks different and we do, too. Over the past nine and a half decades, we’ve grown the team (from 2,800 to 90,000+) and added more than 300 products and numerous services. And, that service network? It has grown, too, with a network spanning the globe.
All that growth has been singularly focused on the same thing all these years: helping our customers use our products and services to improve living standards around the world.
“From the very beginning, our company has been about innovation, not just leading our industry but also developing new ways to extend our leadership. And that mindset will carry us forward for the next 95 years as we expand our services that support customers, integrate the latest technologies into our world-class products and unearth revolutionary new ways to build a better world.” said Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby.
Our story really belongs to our team of people who have made our customers’ work possible over the years. Together, we've seen incredible things: pipe laid for China’s first oil pipeline, power supplied for the Apollo 11 moon mission, construction of 70,000+ U.S. highway miles and so much more.
Our customers today use more than 300 diverse products on various jobsites on all 7 continents. From trucking on ice roads to underground mining, they’re making the world a better place. Now, new horizons await, and our customers will be the ones breaking the ground – and maybe even moving through space – to ensure all of our communities can thrive.
We’re optimistic about the future. We know there is yet more untapped strength in the diversity of our products, services and people. We know the global need for infrastructure is going to increase the demand on our customers. And, we are confident in our team’s ability to support the work and deliver strong results. The innovation that brought us to today will propel us into the future.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. We look forward to many more years ahead.
Step Back into 1925
Ever wondered what it might be like to live in 1925? Well, if you had been there, here are a few things you might have seen:
The First Motel (Motorists Hotel) opening in San Luis Obispo, California. It charged a rate of $1.25 per night.
The creation of Britain's first television transmitter by John Logie Baird.
The invention of Scotch Tape that was designed for use in the auto industry to bring a new level of precision to automobile paint jobs.
Ben Hur and The Phantom of the Opera were popular films at the theater.
What would you have seen of Caterpillar in 1925? Here’s a look:
The formation of a new global dealer organization from former Best and Holt dealers. Several of these original dealers are still with us today!
New leadership put in place for the new company: C. L. Best becomes the first chairman and R.C. Force becomes the first CEO of the Caterpillar Tractor Co.
The opening of the company headquarters in San Leandro, California, former home of the C.L. Best Co.
The introduction of Caterpillar’s first product line consisting of five former Best or Holt tractors.
Source for 1925 world facts: http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1925.html