PEORIA, Ill., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Caterpillar Inc. today delivered the first of 148 specially equipped 420D IT backhoe loaders to the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The new backhoe loaders will replace older machines that no longer meet Marine specifications, offering the USMC engineering organization a higher state of readiness for mission requirements around the globe.
The configuration of the USMC backhoe loaders is based on the commercial version of Caterpillar's 420D IT, which is built at the company's Building Construction Products Division (BCP) facility in Clayton, North Carolina. Each machine has been engineered and modified by Caterpillar to meet the critical air transportation requirements of the USMC. The 420D IT units can be quickly transported without additional preparation using military C-130 transport planes or by using helicopter slings, providing the Marines with a rapid response capability that is mission critical.
"Like the Marine Corps men and women who will operate these machines, these Caterpillar backhoe loaders have a well-earned reputation for dependability, durability, and performance under all circumstances," said John Bettner, General Manager of the BCP facility in Clayton.
In August of 2003, Caterpillar was awarded the competitively bid contract to supply the Marines with a new fleet of backhoe loaders, and earlier this year the USMC took delivery of four of the units for final field testing and evaluations.
"Over the last two years, Caterpillar employees in the BCP division as well as the Defense & Federal Products Division (D&FP) have worked with Marine staff to refine, engineer, and customize these units to meet the unique requirements that are essential to the mission of the Marines," said Kurt Kleinow, marketing and contracts manager for Caterpillar's Defense & Federal Products Division.
The competitive bid award structure for this contract was heavily dependent on a demonstrated global logistics support system as well as the value of the product itself. Service and parts support for the machines will be provided by Caterpillar's global dealer network.
"With more than 200 dealers in all regions of the world, Caterpillar is able to provide the Marines with unequaled parts and service support in any location, ensuring a quick turnaround time for the backhoe loaders so that mission readiness is not compromised," Kleinow said.
The 148 specially designed backhoe loaders will be used by the Marine Corps for jobs around the globe. The machines have historically played a role in engineering efforts aimed at rebuilding vital infrastructure and restoring basic services such as water, sewer, electrical, and roads.
Dating back to World War I, Caterpillar equipment has a long history of military service. In fact, British officer Ernest Swinton, considered by many to be the "father of the tank," said it was the Caterpillar track-type tractor which inspired him to build the tank and which helped to change the course of that war.
Final delivery of the 420D IT backhoe loaders to the USMC is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2005.
About Caterpillar
For more than 75 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world's infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2003 sales and revenues of $22.76 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. More information is available at http://www.cat.com/ .
Caterpillar Inc.
The configuration of the USMC backhoe loaders is based on the commercial version of Caterpillar's 420D IT, which is built at the company's Building Construction Products Division (BCP) facility in Clayton, North Carolina. Each machine has been engineered and modified by Caterpillar to meet the critical air transportation requirements of the USMC. The 420D IT units can be quickly transported without additional preparation using military C-130 transport planes or by using helicopter slings, providing the Marines with a rapid response capability that is mission critical.
"Like the Marine Corps men and women who will operate these machines, these Caterpillar backhoe loaders have a well-earned reputation for dependability, durability, and performance under all circumstances," said John Bettner, General Manager of the BCP facility in Clayton.
In August of 2003, Caterpillar was awarded the competitively bid contract to supply the Marines with a new fleet of backhoe loaders, and earlier this year the USMC took delivery of four of the units for final field testing and evaluations.
"Over the last two years, Caterpillar employees in the BCP division as well as the Defense & Federal Products Division (D&FP) have worked with Marine staff to refine, engineer, and customize these units to meet the unique requirements that are essential to the mission of the Marines," said Kurt Kleinow, marketing and contracts manager for Caterpillar's Defense & Federal Products Division.
The competitive bid award structure for this contract was heavily dependent on a demonstrated global logistics support system as well as the value of the product itself. Service and parts support for the machines will be provided by Caterpillar's global dealer network.
"With more than 200 dealers in all regions of the world, Caterpillar is able to provide the Marines with unequaled parts and service support in any location, ensuring a quick turnaround time for the backhoe loaders so that mission readiness is not compromised," Kleinow said.
The 148 specially designed backhoe loaders will be used by the Marine Corps for jobs around the globe. The machines have historically played a role in engineering efforts aimed at rebuilding vital infrastructure and restoring basic services such as water, sewer, electrical, and roads.
Dating back to World War I, Caterpillar equipment has a long history of military service. In fact, British officer Ernest Swinton, considered by many to be the "father of the tank," said it was the Caterpillar track-type tractor which inspired him to build the tank and which helped to change the course of that war.
Final delivery of the 420D IT backhoe loaders to the USMC is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2005.
About Caterpillar
For more than 75 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world's infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2003 sales and revenues of $22.76 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. More information is available at http://www.cat.com/ .
Caterpillar Inc.
© 2004 PR Newswire
