Caterpillar's global team includes its global dealers. The company's unique dealer network is well-known: it is this system that allows Caterpillar to focus on research and development, continuously updating and improving its products.
In terms of business, during the second quarter, Caterpillar Financial Products generated an operating profit of $143 million, while the Machinery, Energy & Transportation segment reported revenue of $13.67 billion and an operating profit of $2.18 billion. At the end of the quarter, backlog stood at $15 billion, a decrease of $1.9 billion from the previous quarter.
Caterpillar noted that while some customers have become more cautious about large-scale capital expenditures, overall demand remains optimistic. "We still expect moderate full-year sales growth," said Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby, adding that this sales outlook is primarily driven by expected growth in demand for mining machinery and solar turbines.
"By maintaining a focus on strategic investments, including developing services and expanding our product line, we have established the right strategy to achieve long-term profitable growth," said Jim Umpleby, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar.
Caterpillar's unique dealer system began in 1926 when three junior managers—I.E. Jones, W.H. Gardner, and H.P. Mee—co-authored Across the Table, laying the foundational principles for the company's relationship with its dealers. Key criteria for becoming a Caterpillar dealer include good character, long-term local reputation, entrepreneurial spirit, capital and financial strength, product-line expertise, regional market understanding, and a collaborative mindset.
This is a flexible system of independent yet collaborative partners, with cross-shareholding between regional and specialized dealers fostering deep trust and cooperation. A global workforce of 180,000 "Yellow Caterpillarians," unified by their iconic uniforms and branding, delivers 300+ products and standardized services across hundreds of industries. This tightly connected ecosystem has enabled Caterpillar to lose only one dealer since the 2008 financial crisis, even amid global economic downturns.
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Fabick Cat
Founded in 1917 and headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, Fabick Cat is the exclusive Cat® dealer for Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With 1,100+ employees—including fifth-generation family members—it focuses on equipment, power systems, parts, and rentals. CEO Douglas Fabick (great-grandson of the founder) continues the legacy of "building a peerless service organization," established by founder John Fabick in 1917 with just three employees. In 2017, Fabick Cat celebrated its centennial by donating $600,000 to six local charities.
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Whayne Supply Company
Established in 1913, Whayne Supply is one of America's oldest and largest Caterpillar dealers. Founded by Roy C. Whayne to supply engines and equipment to Louisville's construction sector, it became a Holt Manufacturing dealer in 1920, laying the groundwork for its Caterpillar partnership (post-1925 merger). During the Great Depression, it survived through cost cuts and seized New Deal infrastructure opportunities, later supporting WWII defense projects. Today, it remains a top distributor with 100+ employees.
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Ziegler CAT
Founded in 1914 in Minneapolis, Ziegler is a leading Caterpillar dealer for Minnesota and Iowa, offering full lines of equipment, generators, and truck engines. It also distributes agricultural brands like Challenger and Lexion. In 1920, it became a Best Tractor (Caterpillar predecessor) dealer, selling its first Best 60 tractor to the Minneapolis Park Board. In the 1950s-60s, its equipment helped build interstate highways across the Midwest.
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Yancey Bros. Co.
Founded in 1914 as a hardware store selling shovels and prison uniforms, Yancey Bros. became a Holt Manufacturing dealer in 1918 after successfully selling Holt 45 tractors—using only a product photo—to Georgia's Troup County. Post-1925 merger, it became Caterpillar's longest-standing dealer (based on a 1918 agreement). In 2014, Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman praised Yancey as "a miracle of 100 years of (same-name) success," highlighting its role as America's oldest dealer and a cornerstone of Caterpillar's strength.
Conclusion:
Caterpillar's dealer network, rooted in century-old principles of trust and collaboration, has evolved into a resilient global ecosystem. While industry cycles and market shifts pose challenges, the company's strategic focus on partnerships, innovation, and long-term value ensures its continued leadership in powering global development.
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