CEO Oberhelman: Another Satisfied Customer

CEO Oberhelman: Another Satisfied Customer

Caterpillar’s Building Construction Products Division (BCP) focuses first and foremost on customers, and works tirelessly to deliver the innovative products and highly integrated solutions that meet their needs. So, imagine how gratifying it was for the division to welcome their newest customer – Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman.

On March 26, Doug visited the Athens, Georgia, facility to meet the K2 Family Small Track-Track Tractors team and was presented with his new D5K2 LGP. Doug came to the facility with fellow Cat customers. Doug purchased the tractor from Altorfer Cat, so Altorfer sales team members also joined the other visitors.

The K2 family of small track-type tractors was recently launched and is a great example of a new product introduction focused on helping customers succeed.

During their day at the facility, the guests toured the small track-type tractor assembly area and met with Athens team members. Doug also held an employee meeting and talked about how the team convinced him that the D5K2 was the right machine for him.

“We were out at Edwards, near Peoria, and I was thinking about an upgrade. They had a D5G out there, then a Tier 4 Interim machine and a Tier 4 Final machine in its early stages, and I thought I really didn’t need all that sophistication. Well, Todd [Farmer, an engineering supervisor] got me on it, explained it to me and it was over in about 45 seconds – they had me.”

The team’s pride in their work was apparent throughout the day. They presented Doug with a play-by-play photo book of the production process from fabrications to pre-delivery inspection; team members showcased their roles and autographed their photos in the book. During the employee meeting, the assembly team proudly chanted the Athens Vision.

And then Doug made a very special request – he asked each member to sign the front of the D5K2 blade as another memento of the team’s hard work and spirit.

“I’m really proud of this. I’m really proud of all of you,” Doug said. “And I’m extremely proud of what we are doing in Athens for all of our customers.”

Following the presentation, Doug was given the keys and started his new machine. The D5K2 will be added to the fleet he currently has at his family farm, Quail Lakes, where he and his wife are restoring the site of a former coal mine to a natural habitat with lakes, wetlands, wild prairie grasses and tillable land.