Caterpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 in the United States through the merger of Holt Manufacturing Company and C. L. Best Tractor Company. The company specializes in construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Its main product lines include track-type tractors, hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, articulated trucks, and motor graders.

Caterpillar serves the construction, mining, agriculture, forestry, energy, and transportation industries. Its most popular machine models include the D6 and D8 track-type tractors, the 320 and 336 hydraulic excavator series, the 988 wheel loader, and the 797 series mining trucks. The company also produces the C-series and 3500-series engines for industrial and marine applications.