Caterpillar
Caterpillar is a world-leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. The company uses additive manufacturing for producing prototypes, replacement parts, and tooling.
- CEO / Founder
- Joe Creed
- Team Size
- 10000+
- Stage
- Public
- Total Funding
- Publicly Traded
- Latest Round
- IPO
- Key Investors
- The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, State Street Corporation
Technology & Products
Key Products
Articulated trucks, backhoe loaders, dozers, engines, excavators, generators, motor graders, skid steer loaders, wheel loaders, and other construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives.
Technological Advantage
By using additive manufacturing, Caterpillar can produce parts closer to the point of use, improve part performance with complex geometries, and provide legacy parts without the need for traditional tooling, offering a significant competitive advantage in after-sales support and innovation.
Patent position
Caterpillar has filed 79 patent families in total. AMPulse analysis
- Filing momentum
- 2 families filed 2022–2024, 20 in 2019–2021
- Filed in
- US 59%WO 16%CN 15%EP 9%
79 AM patent families in total. Recent years are still being published, so read a filing change against the same-office figure.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Providing a wide range of high-quality, reliable, and durable heavy equipment and power solutions, supported by a global dealer network, to help customers build a better world.
How They Differentiate
Caterpillar differentiates itself through its strong brand reputation, extensive global dealer network providing unparalleled service and support, and a broad and diversified product portfolio. Their early adoption and integration of technologies like IoT and additive manufacturing also set them apart.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Customers in various industries, including construction, mining, energy, transportation, and infrastructure.
Industry Verticals
Construction, Mining, Energy, Transportation, Infrastructure
Competitors
Komatsu, Volvo Construction Equipment, John Deere
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Consistent revenue growth, strong stock performance, and expansion into new technologies and services.
Major Milestones
1925: Merger of Holt Manufacturing Company and C. L. Best Tractor Co. to form Caterpillar Tractor Co., 2017: Jim Umpleby becomes CEO and implements a new strategy focusing on profitable growth., 2022: Announced relocation of global headquarters to Irving, Texas., 2024: Joseph E. Creed becomes CEO.
Notable Customers
Major construction, mining, and energy companies worldwide.
Recent coverage of Caterpillar
AM patents
AM-relevant patents linked to this company.
- Patents
- 79
- Granted
- 36
- Families
- 79
Leading domains: process (79), material (30), equipment (25)
Filings by year: 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 13
- STRUCTURAL FORMATION SYSTEM20170203468 · US
- Monitoring system for three-dimensional printing111164425 · CN
- Additively manufactured hydraulic valve components11662031 · US
- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF CONTAMINATED METAL POWDER20170225198 · US
- Network portal for 3D printable structures09959370 · US
Funding rounds
- NYSE ListingUndisclosed1929-12Source: Caterpillar Investor Relations
- IPOUndisclosed1925-08Source: Caterpillar Investor Relations
Equipment deals on record
Publicly disclosed purchases or installs only.
- U435CFE
USD 451,000
Buyer: Department of the Army · Supplier: CATERPILLAR INC