April 12, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Caterpillar Announces Officer Changes
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced today officer changes to further support execution of the enterprise strategy, including an emphasis on the company’s focus on services. All changes are effective May 1, 2019.
Tom Bluth to become Vice President of new Legal Aftermarket Support
Tom Bluth, currently vice president of the Innovation & Technology Development Division (ITDD), will transition to vice president of Legal Aftermarket Support. This new role leads the legal teams responsible for intellectual property protection & enforcement as well as the legal purchasing center of excellence. Tom joined the company as an attorney 24 years ago, has extensive global product development and operations knowledge and has served as the company’s Chief Technology Officer since 2017.
Karl Weiss named Vice President of Innovation & Technology Development Division
Karl Weiss, currently vice president of the Material Handling & Underground Division (MH&U), will now lead ITDD and serve as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the company. Weiss has 30 years of experience in various roles around the world. He brings deep product development experience, an intense focus on customers and relationship building, and overall process excellence to the CTO role. Weiss previously served as vice president for the Earthmoving Division.
Rob Hoenes will lead Material Handling & Underground Division
Caterpillar’s board of directors has also appointed Rob Hoenes, to succeed Weiss as vice president of MH&U. Hoenes is currently part of the Earthmoving Division, serving as worldwide product manager for the medium track-type tractor product group.
Hoenes began his career as an engineer and quickly gained increasing responsibility in sales, product development, and dealer and customer interface. Hoenes has a deep understanding of markets through commercial experiences in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. Hoenes earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Tom Bluth, current vice president of Caterpillar’s Innovation & Technology Development Division, will transition to vice president of Legal Aftermarket Support, effective May 1, 2019.
Karl Weiss, current vice president of Caterpillar’s Material Handling & Underground Division, will now lead the company’s Innovation & Technology Development Division and serve as Chief Technology Officer, effective May 1, 2019.
Rob Hoenes, current product manager within Caterpillar’s Earthmoving Division, has been appointed vice president of the Material Handling & Underground Division, effective May 1, 2019.
About Caterpillar
For more than 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2018 sales and revenues of $54.722 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three primary segments - Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.
