Caterpillar 2010 Annual Report Download - page 13

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13
THINK LIKE YOUR CUSTOMER
Sometimes, the best way to talk to the smartest expert is to talk
to your customer.
The development team behind Caterpillar’s electric drive mining truck demonstrated just how well this advice works. As an
industry leader in large mining trucks, Caterpillar’s mechanical drive trucks have become the standard for performance and
customer value. Some customers, however, prefer the advantages of electric drive trucks, such as higher top speeds and
lower power train maintenance.
So when customers asked for improvements to Caterpillar’s fleet of mining trucks –
including the design and launch of an electric drive truck – the company responded
by making a record investment of both money and resources. Not only did Caterpillar
pull together an internal team with decades of experience, but this development
team also tapped industry experts from around the world, including its own customers.
The result? An extensively developed and highly integrated electric drive truck,
the 795F AC.
“Having our customers engaged in our development
programs is vital to having a successful project,” explained David Rea, Mining Truck Marketing
& Commercial Manager. “They help focus our attention on critical customer requirements in the
areas of safety, serviceability and performance. By working with our customers throughout the
development process, we successfully achieve true differentiation.”
The company met with nearly 150 different customers around the world to learn from their
experience with electric drive and to gather their input on areas such as machine design and
performance. These insights, coupled with maximizing proven components and technologies
from existing products as well as Caterpillar’s own history with electric drive prototype trucks,
enabled the company to deliver the 795F AC as a complement to the existing product line.
The first production models of the 795F AC were delivered to Boliden’s Aitik mine in Sweden in late 2010. Adding electric
drive trucks to its fleet enables Caterpillar to provide a solution to match customer preferences.
“Every machine is designed, built, serviced and supported by Caterpillar and the Cat dealer network,” said Rea. “So customers
get higher availability and a lower cost per ton from one reliable source. No other manufacturer can offer that.”
Strategic Thinking
Customers look to
Caterpillar not only as a
supplier of machines and
engines, but also as a
solutions provider that
brings Deep Expertise,
a Caterpillar operating
principle, to their
operations.
Think Smart
Beautiful, smooth, quiet – I love
this machine. Unbelievable.
Braking is great. It’s simple to
operate. Build them faster.”
G. Turley, Operator
Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation
“
Customer input contributed to the
development of the 795F AC.
2010 YEAR IN REVIEW