Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

Sector: Industrials|Industry: Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery|Market Cap: $183.84B|Employees: 113.2K


Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company operates through three primary segments - Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation. Caterpillar builds long-term relationships with customers around the world through a global network of independent dealers and direct sales of certain products.

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  2. Company Profile

Business Summary

Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Established in 1925 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, the company operates through three primary segments: Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation. Caterpillar also offers financing and related services via its Financial Products segment. Known for its extensive global network of independent dealers and direct sales approach, Caterpillar prioritizes building long-term customer relationships. The company's 2017 enterprise strategy centers around expanded offerings, operational excellence, services, and, as of 2022, sustainability, aiming to provide innovative solutions for a better, more sustainable world.

Key Statistics

  • Employees: 113,200 (as of December 31, 2023)
  • Geographic Footprint: 191 countries
  • Headquarters: Irving, Texas
  • Founded: 1925
  • Number of locations/facilities: Information not available in the provided text
  • Revenue: $67.060 billion (FY2023)
  • Market Capitalization: $125 billion (as of June 30, 2023)
  • Key Subsidiaries/Brands: Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Caterpillar Insurance Holdings Inc., SEM, Perkins Engines Company Limited, FG Wilson, Solar Turbines

Leadership

  • CEO: D. James Umpleby III (since 2017)
  • CFO: Andrew R.J. Bonfield (since 2018)
  • Board Chairman: D. James Umpleby III (since 2018)
  • Other Key Executives: Bob De Lange (Group President), Denise C. Johnson (Group President), Joseph E. Creed (Chief Operating Officer), Anthony D. Fassino (Group President), Derek R. Owens (Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel), Cheryl H. Johnson (Chief Human Resources Officer), William E. Schaupp (Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer), Jason E. Kaiser (Group President)

Key Financial Metrics

  • Annual Revenue: $67.060 Billion (FY2023)
  • Net Income: $10.335 Billion (FY2023)
  • Market Cap: $125 Billion (as of June 30, 2023)
  • Total Assets: $87.476 Billion (FY2023)
  • Number of employees: 113,200 (as of December 31, 2023)
  • Key Financial Highlights: 13% increase in sales and revenues, operating profit margin of 19.3%, profit per share of $20.12

Products and Services

Caterpillar offers a wide range of products and services across its different segments:

  • Construction Industries: Asphalt pavers, backhoe loaders, cold planers, compactors, compact track loaders, forestry machines, material handlers, motor graders, pipelayers, road reclaimers, skid steer loaders, telehandlers, track-type loaders, track-type tractors, track excavators, wheel excavators, wheel loaders, related parts, and work tools.
  • Resource Industries: Large track-type tractors, large mining trucks, hard rock vehicles, electric rope shovels, draglines, hydraulic shovels, rotary drills, large wheel loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, wheel tractor scrapers, wheel dozers, landfill compactors, soil compactors, select work tools, machinery components, electronics and control systems, related parts, fleet management systems, equipment management analytics, and autonomous machine capabilities.
  • Energy & Transportation: Reciprocating engines, generator sets, integrated systems and solutions, turbines, turbine-related services, electrified powertrains, zero-emission power sources, remanufacturing services, diesel-electric locomotives, rail-related products and services, and product support for on-highway vocational trucks.
  • Financial Products: Retail and wholesale financing solutions for Caterpillar products and services, including installment sale contracts, equipment loans, finance leases, operating leases, inventory and rental fleet financing, and working capital loans. Also offers insurance and risk management products like physical damage insurance, inventory protection plans, extended service coverage, and maintenance plans.

Key Business Segments

Caterpillar operates through the following key business segments:

  • Construction Industries: Focuses on supporting customers in infrastructure and building construction. Caters to heavy and general construction, rental, quarry and aggregates, and mining sectors.
  • Resource Industries: Supports customers in mining, heavy construction, quarry, and aggregates. Offers equipment, technology products, and services for surface and underground mining.
  • Energy & Transportation: Serves customers in oil and gas, power generation, marine, rail, and industrial sectors. Offers engines, turbines, power systems, locomotives, and related services.
  • Financial Products: Provides financing and related services to customers and dealers for Caterpillar products and services. Offers retail, wholesale, and lease financing options.

Revenue Breakdown (FY2023):

  • Construction Industries: $27.418 Billion
  • Resource Industries: $13.583 Billion
  • Energy & Transportation: $28.001 Billion
  • Financial Products: $3.785 Billion

Business Strategy

Caterpillar's core strategy revolves around four key pillars:

  • Expanded Offerings: Continuously developing and introducing new products and services to meet evolving customer needs and expand market reach.
  • Operational Excellence: Optimizing processes and leveraging technology to improve efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
  • Services: Expanding service offerings to provide comprehensive solutions and build long-term customer relationships.
  • Sustainability: Integrating sustainability into all aspects of the business, from product development to operations, to support customers' sustainability goals.

The company focuses on long-term profitable growth by investing in research and development, expanding its product portfolio, and strengthening its global dealer network. Caterpillar also emphasizes building strong customer relationships and providing customized solutions to meet specific needs.

Industry Context

Caterpillar operates in several highly competitive industries:

  • Construction Machinery: Competes with global players like CASE, Deere, Doosan Bobcat, Hitachi, Hyundai, JCB, Kobelco, Komatsu, Kubota, Sany, and Volvo, as well as regional and specialized local competitors.
  • Mining Equipment: Faces competition from global companies such as Deere, Epiroc, Hitachi, Komatsu, Liebherr, Sandvik, and Volvo, along with smaller, specialized firms.
  • Power Systems: Competes with companies like Cummins, Deutz, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, Siemens Energy, and other regional players.
  • Financial Services: Competes with financial institutions like Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Banc of America Leasing & Capital, and captive finance companies of competitor manufacturers.

Caterpillar faces a dynamic industry landscape influenced by global economic conditions, commodity prices, technological advancements, and evolving regulations, particularly regarding emissions standards.

Risk Factors

  • Economic Downturn: The cyclical nature of the industries served makes Caterpillar vulnerable to economic downturns, impacting demand and profitability.
  • Supply Chain Disruptions: Reliance on global supply chains exposes Caterpillar to potential disruptions, affecting production and delivery.
  • Geopolitical Risks: Operations in various countries expose Caterpillar to political and economic instability, trade regulations, and other geopolitical events.
  • Competition: Intense competition from global and regional players puts pressure on pricing and market share.
  • Cybersecurity Threats: Increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks pose a risk to systems, data, and operations.

Last Updated

2024-02-16

(Generated from latest 10-K filing)