The Brand That Changed the Planet
Before and during World War I, two competitors in the United States were in the business of agricultural machinery and heavy industry equipment. Benjamin Holt's and C. L. Best's companies were in each other's hair more than once. But the economic crisis after World War I brought the two companies together.
In 1925, the merger of the two manufacturers created the Caterpillar Tractor Co. and began a chapter in one of the most iconic industrial automobile companies.
The joint venture meant a boom in offerings. The number of Caterpillar machines expanded and during the years 1926 to 1929 the company doubled profits and even tripled the number of tractors and excavators sold.
The Revolutionary 1930s
The turn of the 1920s and 1930s brought another technological shift. The Caterpillar Twenty was a huge success among farmers and propelled the brand to the top of the world in its field.
In 1931, a complete change of look took place. The original gray and red color combination was replaced by the iconic yellow and black combination.
In the 1930s, the company scored another success when it modernized Rudolf Diesel's diesel engine. The 1897 invention was efficient, but at the cost of high consumption. A pair of American engine builders redesigned the engine and came up with the D9900.
Worldwide Expansion
World War II slowed production. But in the 1950s, the company came up with its first expansion into the world. The Caterpillar brand established a sister company in the UK and expanded into Brazil in 1954.
During the 1950s, the company went global and continues to be a market leader to this day. The Caterpillar brand is seen by craftsmen around the world as synonymous with progress, quality and honest work.
Caterpillar currently manufactures over 400 different construction machines. Their range includes small and large excavators, off-road and on-road trucks and dump loaders. When developing new machines, their technologists focus on both quality and comfort for the loader operator.
FAQ
How was Caterpillar founded?
Caterpillar Tractor Co. was created in 1925 by the merger of two rival manufacturers, the companies of Benjamin Holt and C. L. Best. The economic crisis after World War I brought the two companies together.
When did Caterpillar switch to yellow and black?
In 1931. The original gray and red color combination was replaced by the iconic yellow and black combination.
Where did Caterpillar expand in the 1950s?
It established a sister company in the UK and expanded into Brazil in 1954. During the 1950s the company went global.
How many machines does Caterpillar make today?
Over 400 different construction machines. The range includes small and large excavators, off-road and on-road trucks and dump loaders.
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Caterpillar trucks are reliable vehicles, but they have not been without their problems. In 2014, the company paid a $46 million fine after one of its transported engines caused a fire at Bender Shipbuilding.
Two years later, the company dealt with a similar issue, paying for damage caused by engines in their buses.
