Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Caterpillar Thesis

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The company has grown substantially over the past several years in terms of revenues, profits and share price. In 2008, however, the company's share price has declined 45.3% from the beginning of the year. As the economic crisis spread overseas, Caterpillar's policy of geographic diversification is at risk of being insufficient to insulate the firm from global economic catastrophe. Maintaining the current path, however, recognizes the long-term strength of their strategy. Moreover, it allows the company to continue to strengthen some its existing new initiatives, such as its logistics business, railroad subsidiary and its solar turbine business. Caterpillar typically takes a cautious approach to building and integrating new businesses so drastic moves right now may not fit with the company's overall strategy.

Another alternative is to continue to expand into different product lines. Caterpillar has a strong, recognizable brand name. They have successful moved into financial services and apparel using that brand and its associations. Caterpillar could potentially expand into other areas, such as ATVs or light trucks, that utilize many of the same technologies that their current products contain. Cat could use a joint venture or a licensing agreement in order to penetrate these new markets, just as they did with apparel. There would be challenges, however, as Caterpillar would be moving away from their core competencies. Moreover, their other endeavors have not yet contributed significant revenue or profit to the company. The three main lines still account for almost all of Caterpillar's business.

A third alternative would be to expand into new technologies. The company has already increased its investment in technology in recent years in recognition of the fact that technology is a major driver in their existing industries. There are considerable opportunities available to develop cleaner engine technologies, more efficient heavy equipment, or new power technologies. The company already operates in the solar turbine services industry, and has the potential to leverage some of their capabilities in heavy equipment to manufacture the technologies necessary to produce green energy, or to make significant improvements in existing green technologies.

A fourth option for Caterpillar is to pursue growth through acquisitions.

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Caterpillar is one of the largest players in each of their main industries. Some of these industries are headed towards maturity and consolidation. Therefore, Caterpillar should begin that trend by purchasing some smaller competitors. This will strengthen Cat, and increase their market share. The company has the financial capacity to finance acquisitions with cash, and the current depressed stock prices make some of their competitors unusually affordable. The drawbacks are that the competitors may not have much value beyond market share, for which Caterpillar would likely pay fair market value. Acquisitions at this stage of Caterpillar's life cycle are best conducted for strategic purposes rather than mere market share gains.

The recommendation for Caterpillar is to continue to pursue their current course of action. Caterpillar's financial performance in recent years has been very strong, indicating strong congruence between their strategies and their objectives. Even with the economic downturn, Cat has been profitable in every quarter this year. Moreover, key industry sectors such as mining and oil & gas are still booming, despite slowdowns elsewhere in the economy.

Thus, there is little to indicate that Caterpillar is deficient in any area. Every year, a story emerges about Caterpillar suffering in one area or another, but overall the company has consistently grown revenues and profits. There is no indication that a strategic shift at this point would be of any benefit to Caterpillar. Given that the company has a conservative culture and is accustomed to a relatively slow pace of change, a major strategic shift should only be undertaken in response to a major opportunity or threat. There appears to be neither for Caterpillar at present. They are managing the economic, cyclical and competitive threats well. They have been able to exploit strategic opportunities, such as the move into transportation with their recent investments in logistics and railways, or their move into finance and insurance. Despite all of the challenges that Caterpillar faces, they are still profitable, still the market leader, and show no significant signs of vulnerability.

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