Caterpillar 2010 Annual Report Download - page 6

6
THINK LIKE YOUR CUSTOMER
When the day ends at the Shivaji International
Airport in Mumbai, progress begins.
Crews from Ashwini Infra Development work through the night using two Cat® cold planers
simultaneously to speed their work cutting asphalt. The project will result in longer and
strengthened runways at India’s largest airport. The need is urgent: India’s booming economy
has resulted in the most frequent late flight arrivals of any country in the world.
On the other side of the world, crews from NorthGate Constructors also work their Cat fleet through the night on a
three-year highway rebuild project near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. It’s a much needed investment by the
United States to bring an aging transportation system in line with a growing population and changing economy.
Two projects, two different economic scenarios, one common need – more infrastructure. From emerging economies
where new infrastructure is required, to the developed world where aging infrastructure needs improvement, Caterpillar
customers around the world have an enormous opportunity to meet these needs. In order to transform these opportunities
into profitable business, however, these customers must have their own needs
met, such as new products delivered on time, responsive aftermarket support
and innovative jobsite solutions to enhance productivity.
In anticipation of meeting its increasing customer needs, Caterpillar is in the
midst of numerous expansion projects of its own, both globally and in the U.S.
These include new manufacturing operations in China – among them a large
engine manufacturing facility and the expansion of Caterpillar Xuzhou Limited
(CXL). Once the CXL excavator expansion plans are completed in 2014, Caterpillar
will have increased its China-based excavator capacity by 400 percent. Also in
China, a new 97,000-square-foot logistics center will support Caterpillar’s
growing manufacturing footprint in the country.
Beyond Asia, a new 450,000-square-foot parts distribution center in Dubai is part
of a multi-year enhancement of the Cat parts distribution network in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In Brazil, a new
backhoe loader and small wheel loader manufacturing plant will meet growing customer demand across Latin America.
And, in South Dakota, a new engineering design center is part of Caterpillar’s Product Development and Global Technology
Division’s strategy to increase velocity and ultimately to serve customers better.
Think Opportunity
We feel the machine is
very productive, and we
now have the confidence to take
on heavier milling jobs in the future.”
Rajesh Ghanekar, Jobsite Foreman
Ashwini Infra Development Pvt. Ltd.
“
Strategic Thinking
Understanding global trade
and economic growth
dynamics helps to guide
investment in Strategic
Businesses, a Caterpillar
operating principle.
2010 YEAR IN REVIEW
The rebuilding of this Dallas-Fort Worth
highway is representative of needed
infrastructure improvements in the
developed world.