Caterpillar: Making Sustainable Changes in Society Possible

Construction machines are largely considered as monster machines, not only because of their size but also of their function. Take, for example, a crane, which can lift tons of materials several stories high. With these kinds of equipment, constructing skyscrapers have become possible.

 

One of the leading manufacturers of cranes and other construction equipment is Caterpillar, which has been in the industry for more than 85 years. They are known for their construction and mining equipment, as well as natural gas and diesel engines, diesel-electric locomotives, and gas turbines. 

Caterpillar has been around since 1905, as San Francisco saw the construction of its famed cable car systems. Captured in photos was CAT’s Holt Steam Traction Engine #37, which was basically used to lay new cables as new lines were added to the system. This is the first documented involvement of CAT in sustainable change in the community.

From the cable system, CAT’s equipment were put into significant use when, in 1906, a huge earthquake shook San Francisco.  Once again, the Holt Steam Traction #37 was documented to have helped in cleanup and disaster recovery – the very first construction machine to have done such.

In the succeeding decades, CAT became more involved in helping construction sites address mechanical problems. The company improved their equipment based on the demands of construction jobs, and as such was able to deliver valuable technical improvements in all-steel construction, spring suspension systems, three-speed transmissions, and tractor parts. 

Recently, Caterpillar has taken part in the construction of South Korea’s Saemangeum Seawall, which is the longest earthen seawall in the world; the expansion of the Panama Canal; the construction of the 47-mile long Dubai Arabian Canal, as well as Nafud Desert’s 2,400-kilometer rail line in Saudi Arabia. Because of their contributions in the formation of sustainable change in the society, Caterpillar is recognized as one of the most admired companies in the world.