How many facilities does caterpillar have

France predicts that as Caterpillar continues to scale its volume in North America and the economy improves, it might increase the percentage of rail relative to truck transport that it uses. Although its destinations may vary from year to year, strong export markets for Caterpillar currently include Mongolia, Africa, Russia, Australia, Brazil, Chile and Australia. We schedule the carrier to arrive on the same day that we produce the product.

Another aspect of its logistics network integration is that Caterpillar uses visibility tools that show all of its pick-up and delivery locations and hand-off dates. These tools provide EDI information to carriers and dealerships so that they know when the products will be available. France says that Caterpillar also uses control towers to monitor its shipments and, if necessary, divert them to faster transport modes.

Although Caterpillar does not have the kind of volume that would allow it to maximise return loads from the north and south — in the way some carmakers can — France says that it does ship truck bodies from Mexico with return loads of its finished products from American factories to Mexico.

The manufacturer uses an integrated tool to procure, plan and execute its transport loads for domestic and international shipments. Caterpillar has also been adding incremental functionality to enhance the tracking and planning of its finished machine movements. The goals are to reduce dwell time and manage carrier performance more effectively, says France. Along with transport management, Caterpillar has a web-enabled proprietary system for global tracking of inventory, from products in stock to built-to-order equipment in the factory or those already in transit.

These locations vary from year to year, depending on the demand level, says France. One way that Caterpillar may reduce its logistics variability is through improved visibility for certain parts of its outbound supply chain. Another area on which Caterpillar is working is to increase its load factor by reviewing its designs for transport packaging and protection. Packaging improvements are enabling more products to fit on a rail wagon or a step-deck trailer, as well as in containers for ocean shipping.

As Caterpillar makes internal changes to improve its product distribution efficiency, it still faces a number of external challenges, in particular the need for adequate infrastructure and appropriate regulations and procedures. France points out that the US is currently lagging in both areas. On the regulatory side, he complains about the permit system, particularly for moving across state borders.

Infrastructure is a major issue for the US as far as Caterpillar is concerned, with many roads and bridges unsafe to move across with heavy loads, says France. Founded in through the merger of Holt Manufacturing Company and C. Best Tractor Co.

You may have figured that most of CAT's revenue is generated from producing and selling large industrial work vehicles and machinery, but we have found additional and perhaps surprising ways that the company makes money. Although Caterpillar is known as a leading manufacturer of large-scale machinery, the company also has a hand in producing durable smartphone development and has released a number of smartphones for the industrial market. Caterpillar released the Cat S60 phone in February , which allows users to detect heat patterns using a unique thermal imaging feature.

Similar to Caterpillar's other smartphone models, the Cat S60 was known for its rugged durability. Advertised as "water-resistant," the Cat S60 could operate in underwater depths of up to 16 feet for approximately one hour. This phone has now been replaced by the S61 which also offers air quality monitoring. While Caterpillar generates the majority of its revenue from machinery sales, the company also makes money from its trademark and licensing agreements.

Caterpillar machines are easily recognizable from the company's branded yellow, but that shade of yellow has not been with the company from day one. Caterpillar's machine color originated in after years of gray machinery design. Additionally, the licensing of its branded products and apparel are also key revenue drivers for the business. The company's products are sold in retail stores worldwide and in the company was ranked 28 out of by License Global for its global licensor status.

Caterpillar's machinery is sold through a broad network of dealers, and its roots run deep. Many Caterpillar dealers have been working with the company since While Caterpillar services a global network, the company's business operations have been located in Illinois since its founding in and even before, when Holt produced the first Caterpillar tractor.

While most of Caterpillar's machines are manufactured in the Midwest, some of the company's other leading manufacturing plants are located in Russia, China, and Brazil. Caterpillar moved its headquarters closer to Chicago to Deerfield, Illinois, just a few miles north of the city. Caterpillar generates a significant amount of revenue through subsidiary businesses. In February , the federal government conducted an ongoing investigation of Caterpillar's subsidiaries to ensure that it was appropriately using and disseminating funds within its U.

As of January , no criminal charges had been filed against the company or any of its employees. Caterpillar produces large-scale industrial machinery for a wide range of industries including energy, transportation, and construction.

Leading machinery manufactured by the firm includes tractors, on-highway trucks, off-highway trucks, pavers, loaders, combines, bulldozers, shovels, and excavators. The company also specializes in energy drilling and commodity mining machines. While Caterpillar generates most of its revenue from selling newly-manufactured machinery to businesses, the firm also rents and sells used machinery.

Rental machinery is convenient for construction projects that don't require long-term assets. Companies can also significantly reduce costs by buying used machinery.

Used machinery is insured by Caterpillar, and companies can customize their used machinery purchases. CAT Phones. License Global. Once the manufacturing facility begins production, it will allow Caterpillar to increase capacity for the other machines produced in Piracicaba. Construction of the new facility is expected to begin in late or early , pending final site approvals.

Caterpillar's existing manufacturing operation in Piracicaba produces wheel loaders, motor graders, backhoe loaders, track-type tractors, excavators, compactors, underground mining loaders, generator sets and a variety of components. About Caterpillar: For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. We encourage you to read our updated Privacy Policy Hide. Toggle navigation Toggle search.