Caterpillar Inc. last week announced it is aligning its machine product and marketing organizations to sharpen customer focus, position the company to achieve its 2010 and Vision 2020 goals and build deep expertise in product development.
“We are well-positioned for long-term success,” said Caterpillar chairman and CEO Jim Owens. “And Team Caterpillar is hungry to make our company even better. By streamlining the organization and clarifying roles and responsibilities, we can refocus our efforts on those we are here to serve: our customers.”
The alignment results in numerous officer changes effective Jan. 1, 2009.
A key change in the aligned structure is the creation of five end-to-end Machine Business Divisions: Mining, Quarry & Waste, Excavation, Earthmoving and Building Construction Products.
“These divisions will incorporate design, manufacturing, marketing, sales and product support for the entire value chain. This new structure will increase accountability and drive global growth as well as profitability,” Owens said.
Leading the Mining Division is vice president Chris Curfman. Vice president Bill Springer will lead the Quarry & Waste Division, which will also serve governmental and defense, and federal products customers. The Excavation Division will be led by vice president Gary Stampanato and will include all excavators and articulated trucks.
Vice president Tom Bluth will head the Earthmoving Division. This new Beijing-based division will be responsible for all other core construction products. Vice president Mary Bell will head the Building Construction Products Division focusing primarily on small contractors as well as forestry and agricultural customers.
The alignment also introduces three new regional Distribution Services Divisions within Caterpillar, replacing the company's current marketing arms. They will have responsibility for Caterpillar's total portfolio of business with each dealer, the dealer relationship, dealer development and ensuring the most efficient and effective distribution of Caterpillar machines, engines and parts.
The Europe, Africa/Middle East Distribution Services Division will be led by vice president Paolo Fellin. Newly elected vice president Rob Charter will head the Asia Pacific Distribution Services Division. By the end of 2009, Caterpillar will transition to an Americas Distribution Services Division that will include both North and South America. Heading that division will be vice president Jim Parker. Tom Gales, whose retirement is being announced, will remain in his current position as vice president of Latin America Division until year-end 2009 to ensure an effective transition to the new organization.
Caterpillar's current Motion & Power Control Division will be expanded and reorganized into two new divisions. Vice president Hans Haefeli will lead the Advanced Systems Division. It will focus on designing and manufacturing critical components and integrated systems — hydraulic, transmission and lower powertrain — while working even more closely with worldwide suppliers to provide these solutions both internally and externally to original equipment manufacturers.
The Core Components Division, to be led by newly elected vice president Greg Folley, will bring together the engineering and supply base for hoses and tubes, filters and common components like tires, bearings, fasteners and seals. Along with undercarriage and ground engaging tools, this new division will bring better business focus to these widely used components.
Vice president Rod Beeler will lead the Marketing & Product Support Center of Excellence Division. Vice president Gwenne Henricks will head the Industrial Power Systems Division. The Electronics & Connected Worksite Division — including a new Machine Product and Process Development Center that will provide design support and build deep engineering expertise — will be led by vice president Mark Pflederer. Vice president Chris Schena will head the EAME Operations Division.
Caterpillar's board of directors elected Robert Charter, Gregory Folley and Jiming Zhu as new Caterpillar vice presidents effective Jan. 1, 2009. Charter will lead the Asia Pacific Distribution Services Division based in Singapore. Folley will head the newly formed Core Components Division. Zhu will lead the newly formed Caterpillar China Division. He will oversee Caterpillar's portfolio of rapidly growing businesses in China, gauging where Caterpillar needs to focus in this important market.
Caterpillar also announced that two long-serving vice presidents have elected to retire in 2009. Thomas Gales, vice president with responsibility for Caterpillar's Latin America Division, will retire at year-end 2009. Gales will spend 2009 helping the company and its dealers transition to the new distribution structure, using his vast knowledge of the dealer network and strong connections with Latin American dealerships.
"In Tom's nearly 40 distinguished years with the company, he has formed close relationships with Cat dealers and customers, giving him — and in turn, Caterpillar — a clear sense of how to better serve them," Owens said. "His leadership extended outside of Caterpillar to influential positions he held in Latin American business organizations. The entire Caterpillar family thanks him for his years of dedicated service and wishes him and his family well in retirement."
Michael Baunton, vice president with responsibility for Caterpillar's EAME Operations Division, will retire effective April 2009. Caterpillar will rely on Baunton's manufacturing expertise to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership in its European operations.
"We were lucky to have Mike as a member of Team Caterpillar — even if only for the last decade," Owens said. "The experience he brought from his 20-plus years in the manufacturing industry prior to coming to Caterpillar helped him successfully lead our EAME Operations Division to the world-class organization it is today. We wish Mike and his family all the best for this next phase in their lives."
Headquartered in Peoria, Ill., Caterpillar had 2007 sales and revenues of $44.9 billion. It is a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services.
