A New Look
Driving Business Opportunities Blog Post SNHU 2023
A Look at CAT Inc.
I spent over 6 years as a heavy equipment operator; both in the military and civilian sectors. CAT has established itself as the standard of industry equipment for earthmoving heavy machinery. The brand represents the top quality in the industry crowded with competitors such as John Deere and Case.
CAT’s values according to their website are integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment, and sustainability. In their equipment they demonstrate these qualities by bringing the best in industry level service and equipment.
Caterpillar’s earnings as a company are reported at $13.70 per share.
Let’s take a look at CAT’s SWOT analysis:
SWOT Analysis for Caterpillar Inc. CAT
(CAT 2022)
While analyzing CAT’s strengths, the quality of their brand and brand recognition is a large part of why they have been so successful. They also deliver on machines and products to back it up, continuing to foster strength within the brand name itself.
This is of great importance for the introduction of new and innovative ideas. By attaching the established and respected brand of Caterpillar onto a new project will automatically catapult it straight to the trusting customers hands.
A new idea…
The existing model of equipment operators, unions, and equipment companies is outdated and out of sync. I believe CAT has a unique opportunity to open a line of Heavy equipment operator training centers. Modern equipment is so advanced with technology and GPS, that technical training on equipment is nearly as valuable as practical training.
By creating a standard of operating and training, new operators can attend a trade-school and learn the hi-tech pieces of equipment to standards agreed upon by the unions, allowing for a greater consistency of training with new, high end equipment, and for these highly trained operators to integrate seamlessly into the union and/or company of their choosing.
Are unions outdated? Next blog post
From a profitability standpoint, companies who send their operators to the school can be priced or included in packages of equipment sales and purchases. The ultimate goal is to provide a standard of training on CAT equipment. Flood the market with operators experienced on CAT equipment. The new equipment that makes the most money. And the companies will then buy the CAT equipment to maximize their profits. A loop that could eventually squeeze out competition.
Reference:
Caterpillar Inc. CAT (2022) Yahoo Finance. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) Stock Price, News, Quote & History – Yahoo Finance
Caterpillar Inc. SWOT Analysis. (2022). Caterpillar, Inc. SWOT Analysis, 1–7. CAT SWOT.pdf
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