CAT

The History of Caterpillar's Development

Caterpillar’s beginnings can be traced to the late 1800s, when California inventors Daniel Best and Benjamin Holt developed the first tracked undercarriage systems. These innovations enabled heavy machinery to operate confidently in off-road conditions and played a major role in changing the course of World War I through the introduction of tanks.

In 1925, Best Manufacturing and Holt Manufacturing merged, giving rise to the Caterpillar brand, which has since become a globally recognized name in construction and mining machinery.

Key Milestones in Caterpillar's History

• 1931 – Launch of unified assembly operations in Peoria, Illinois, improving efficiency and product quality;
• 1940 – Expansion of the product line with graders, power units, and military engines;
• 1950 – Entry into international markets with the opening of assembly facilities in the United Kingdom;
• 1962 – Public listing on the stock exchange, supporting the company’s global growth;
• 1963 – Formation of the joint venture Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan;
• 1975 – Launch of the world’s largest truck at the time, the HD1200 with a payload of 120 tons, and expansion into Brazil;
• 1987 – Strategic reorganization after an economic downturn and expansion of the product range to over 150 models;
• 1990 – Establishment of a global dealer network with fast worldwide delivery of spare parts;
• 2022 – Launch of the Cat® Connect platform, utilizing AI and IoT technologies to optimize equipment performance;
• 2023 – Implementation of green technologies, including electrification and hydrogen use, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Today, Caterpillar is a global leader with more than 480 locations in 50 countries. The company manufactures a wide range of equipment and systems — from diesel and gas engines to construction and mining machinery, power solutions, and specialized attachments.

Through TechCom, you gain access to genuine Caterpillar equipment, high-quality spare parts, and professional support that ensures the reliable and efficient performance of your fleet.