The Makers Behind the Iron
As we celebrate our legacy of 95 years – and Manufacturing Day 2020 – we’re focusing on the people behind the iron. Caterpillar employees are the backbone of our heritage, success, and position us as one of the world’s leading manufacturing companies.
Recently, we sat down with Group President Denise Johnson and more of our manufacturing experts to discuss the global impact, innovation and evolution of manufacturing. Plus, they give the scoop on their personal – and amazing – career journeys.
Watch the panel and learn more about each manufacturing expert below!
Denise Johnson
Job Title: Group President, Resource Industries
Years with Caterpillar: 9 years
Favorite Machine:
Do I really have to choose? All of our Caterpillar products are incredible. But, if I had to choose one, I would pick the iconic large dozer. We recently celebrated the 40,000 large dozer - a true workhorse in the fleet of products we service and sell, heavily relied on and highly valued by our mining customers.
Why Manufacturing?
Manufacturing is at the heart of what Caterpillar is all about. We are proud to support a diverse set of customers to help them solve some of their biggest problems with our durable and high-quality machines and components, designed and built by our talented global team. The fact that part of our competitive advantage is due to how we manufacture differentiated machines and components is something that reinforces the importance of manufacturing to Caterpillar.
How do Caterpillar employees, dealers and customers do the work that matters?
Our products help build roads, hospitals, transport vital resources to people in need and so much more! Caterpillar continues to be part of some of the most important global infrastructure projects that are being worked around the world. The fact that our products and services help customers build a better world is very impactful.
Tina Czerwinski
Job Title: Facility Manager, Decatur Illinois
Years with Caterpillar: 21 years
Favorite Machine: 797 Mining Truck; voted coolest thing made in Illinois!
Why Manufacturing?
Manufacturing offers a platform to explore different career opportunities and gain experience in multiple facets of the business. It offers a hands-on, close-up viewpoint of building the products, which fascinated me. The simplest answer for me is, because it’s fun!
How do Caterpillar employees, customers and dealers do the work that matters?
Caterpillar employees do the work that matters every day by focusing on the safety of our people and the customers we serve. That focus translates into not only keeping ourselves safe, but watching out for the safety of those around us, too. It’s about building quality into every detail of the products we manufacture from end-to-end to help our customers be successful.
Darrel Taylor
Job Title: Section Manager, Seguin, Texas
Years with Caterpillar: 15 years
Favorite Machine: D11 ... one of my favorite earth movers
Why Manufacturing?
Manufacturing allows me to be able to help build communities and make a difference in the world.
How do Caterpillar employees, dealers and customers do the work that matters?
Caterpillar employees, dealers and customers do the work that matters by making sure that there are road ways and means to be able to maneuver goods across the world.
Paul Rivera
Job Title: Lean Director, Construction Industries
Years with Caterpillar: 25 years
Favorite Machine: Any Cat yellow machine … if forced to choose the 980 Medium Wheel Loader
Why Manufacturing?
It's a family business. My father retired from Caterpillar in 1985, my brother works in Decatur, my brother-in-law works in Mapleton and my son works in North Little Rock.
How do Caterpillar employees, dealers and customers do the work that matters?
The products and services we design and produce help our customers build a better world. We help our customers build roads, hospitals, schools and homes. We help our customers provide people with clean water and power. It is humbling to think that we all have a hand in building infrastructure around the world.
