Our Legacy
Caterpillar Company History
Experience the ingenuity of our machines, shaped by a rich heritage of innovation. More importantly, celebrate the visionaries and pioneers who built Japan Caterpillar—one breakthrough at a time. From the foundations laid by Benjamin Holt and C.L. Best to the extraordinary people driving our success today, our legacy is built on determination, innovation, and excellence.
At Japan Caterpillar, our people remain our greatest strength, pushing boundaries to create solutions that shape the future.
Our Journey in Japan
Caterpillar established its presence in Japan in 1963 through a joint venture with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Today, our Japan team plays a leading role in the development of hydraulic excavators, with our Akashi facility driving innovation and delivering advanced excavator technologies to both local and global customers.
To further support our customers, Cat Financial operates in the region, providing tailored financial solutions that help businesses succeed.
For over a century, we have grown alongside our customers, evolving with the changing world—building, innovating, and improving together. When customers choose Japan Caterpillar, they gain not just industry-leading products and services but also a legacy of expertise and a commitment to excellence that spans 100 years.
Exploring Our Legacy
Our Corporate Archives serve as a window into Japan Caterpillar’s rich history, preserving the stories of our people, innovations, and the impact of our equipment on projects across Japan and beyond. This dedicated team ensures that our legacy of excellence, resilience, and progress continues to inspire future generations.
- 1920s – The Merger and a New Company
- 1930s – Decade of Innovation
- 1940s – Contribution and Change
- 1950s – Earthmoving and Becoming a Multinational Company
- 1960s – Breakthroughs and Great Projects
- 1970s – Firsts and Sustainability
- 1980s – New Opportunities
- 1990s – Continuing Industry Leadership
- 2000s – Beyond the Yellow Iron
- 2010s – Rail, Mining, and Beyond
- 2020s – History is Still Being Made
1925: The Holt Manufacturing Company and the C. L. Best Tractor Co. merge to form Caterpillar Tractor Co. C. L. Best is appointed first Chairman.
1927: Caterpillar designs its first new product: the Model Twenty Tractor.
1928: Caterpillar makes its first acquisition by purchasing Russell Grader Manufacturing Company.
1931: Caterpillar begins producing its first diesel engine, an industry first: the D9900.
1931: Caterpillar changes the standard color of its machines from gray with red trim to “Hi-Way Yellow” with black trim.
1936: Caterpillar track-type tractors help build the Hoover Dam.
1937: Caterpillar machines help complete construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.
1941: Caterpillar products support the Allies during World War II.
1944: Caterpillar machines help construct more than 70,000 miles of highways across the United States.
1945: Caterpillar introduces the first dozer blade designed and built by the company.
1948: Caterpillar machines help start construction of the Bhakra Dam in India.
1950: Caterpillar forms its first overseas subsidiary, Caterpillar Tractor Co. Ltd. in England.
1950: Caterpillar introduces its first self-propelled wheel tractor-scraper.
1952: Caterpillar introduces its first integrated track loader.
1955: Caterpillar supplies the U.S. government with specially designed equipment for Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica. This is the first time Caterpillar equipment is used on every continent.
1962: Caterpillar presents its first construction dump truck: the 769 Off-Highway Truck.
1962: Caterpillar machines help widen sections of the Panama Canal.
1969: Caterpillar engines power the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon.
1972: Caterpillar launches its first hydraulic excavator: the 225.
1973: The first Caterpillar remanufacturing plant begins production in Bettendorf, Iowa.
1979: Caterpillar discontinues the use of its “Hi-Way Yellow” paint color and introduces a new one: “Caterpillar Yellow.”
1977: Caterpillar introduces the D10 track-type tractor.
1981: Caterpillar acquires Solar Turbines.
1983: In Paraguay and Argentina, Caterpillar machines help build the Yacyreta dam.
1985: Caterpillar introduces its first backhoe loader: the 416.
1986: Caterpillar introduces the D11 Track-Type Tractor.
1994: Caterpillar machines work on the construction of the Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan.
1998: Caterpillar launches the world’s largest mechanically driven mining truck: the 797.
1998: Caterpillar launches a line of compact construction equipment.
1998: Caterpillar acquires Varity Perkins and renames the company Perkins Engines Company Limited in England.
2001: Caterpillar introduces its ACERT® technology.
2006: Caterpillar acquires Progress Rail Services, Inc.
2008: Caterpillar introduces the first, one-of-a-kind electrically driven track-type tractor: the D7E.
2008: Caterpillar acquires Shandong SEM Machinery Co., Ltd. in China.
2010: Caterpillar acquires Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
2011: Caterpillar acquires Bucyrus International, Inc. and MWM GmbH.
2017: Jim Umpleby is appointed CEO and assumes Chairman of the Board in 2018.
2018: Caterpillar introduces the world’s first high drive electric drive dozer – the Cat® D6 XE.
2021: Caterpillar releases its first diversity and inclusion report, “The Power of Everyone – Building a Better World.”
2022: Caterpillar announces a successful demonstration of its first battery electric 793 large mining truck.
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