Caterpillar

Caterpillar, 1995-2001

Background Information
This case deals with Caterpillar, Inc. who has been building the world's road and rail network for more than 75 years; and in partnership with Caterpillar dealers, is driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. A Fortune 100 company, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company is a technology leader in construction, transportation, mining, forestry, energy, logistics, electronics, financing and electric power generation.
After a three consecutive years (1982-1984) of tremendous loss, Caterpillar managed to come back as a high-tech globally competitive, growth company. Throughout the tenure of two very successful CEOs – George Schaefer and Donald Fites – and over a period of about 15 years, the company reinvented itself. George Schaefer introduced cost-cutting measures and employee involveme...