This auction is open to the public. Registration to bid is free, though a refundable bid deposit may be required. Interested buyers can go to the auction site to inspect, test and compare items beginning February 10 at 8 a.m.

“The auction attracts one of the largest, most diverse audiences of consignors and bidders from around the world,” says Steve Kriebel, regional sales manager for Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers. “Because of this, the selection of equipment featured in the auction is plentiful and there is something available for all types of buyers everywhere.”

Thousands of late model equipment items from manufacturers such as Caterpillar and Volvo will highlight this year’s auction. Attendees can expect to see products such as forklifts, loader backhoes, wheel loaders, articulated dump trucks, motor graders, motor scrapers, crawler tractors, crawler loaders, pavers, skid steer loaders and multi-terrain loaders.

For more information about the auction, visit rbauction.com. For information about selling equipment, call 863-420-9919.

The alliance agreement follows Caterpillar’s recent formation of a new strategic business unit, the Caterpillar Industrial & Waste Group, which has global responsibility for serving customers in these markets. The new group is part of the Diversified Products Division, led by Bill Springer, vice president of Caterpillar.

“We are pleased to be working with Exodus to meet customers’ material handler needs,” Springer said. “Bringing together Exodus’ intense focus on material handlers and their innovative designs with our unmatched distribution and product support capabilities, the alliance creates a force that will serve customers well.”

Exodus Machines, based in Superior, Wis., was incorporated only three years ago and is now known for its innovative designs. Each of the company’s material handlers features an industry exclusive cab that lowers to the ground for easy ingress and egress and maintenance access. The wheel machines also feature independent planetary wheel drive for true all-wheel-drive.

“It’s rewarding for our entire team to have Caterpillar acknowledge the value that the machines we developed bring to customers,” said Bruce Bacon, founder of Exodus and now president of the company. “And it’s exciting that our company will continue growing to serve an industry that we are passionate about.”

In support of the alliance agreement, Caterpillar acquired a minority equity interest in a new entity, Exodus Machines, LLC, formed by Exodus. In addition, Exodus plans to expand manufacturing in the Superior area and is working to secure working capital and capital funding, developing plant layouts, assessing building sites and estimating needs for new employees.

Paul Mellott, Jr. leverages his passion and persuasion to create value for his employees, customers, community, and the aggregate industry.

by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief

In an industry faced with uncertain funding streams, declining production, and constant regulatory challenges, the most successful businesses are those with entrepreneurial-style leaders at the helm. After all, there have been few times in the last century when identifying opportunities and managing risks were more important.

Paul Mellott, Jr., chairman and CEO of Mellott Co. is just such a leader. Throughout his 37 years in the aggregate industry, he has amassed experience from such diverse perspectives as the seat of a front-end loader and a seat before Congressional committees. He has served in leadership positions in state associations, as well as the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). And, he is the force behind ROCKPAC’s rapidly growing political clout.

According to his close friend of 25 years, Kim Snyder, president of Eastern Industries, Inc. and chairman of NAPA, the first two qualities that come to mind about Paul are his passion and his integrity. “His passion — for the industry, NSSGA, his company, and his employees — is and has been unwavering,” Snyder says. “While most of us dedicate years of service, Paul has dedicated decades and will continue to serve as long as he is able. And, he will not compromise his integrity, not for anyone, for any reason, at any time. Period!”

For his many outstanding personal qualities and professional contributions, Aggregates Manager is proud to recognize Paul Mellott, Jr. as the 2011 AggMan of the Year.

Building the family brand

Third generation members of the family business (left to right) Brian Mellott, Paul Mellott, and Herm Mellott have incorporated strategic planning and corporate values into the family business.

Mellott says he began his career on the frontlines — working in roles such as quality control, running loaders and trucks, and setting up portable plant crews and sites — because his father wanted him to have hands-on experience in operations before beginning any managerial role. For his first eight years in the family business, he worked in nearly every capacity of the operation, and then moved into a management training role. “I had a desk in my dad and uncle’s office: one big room with three desks,” he says. “I listened to what they did and started to develop the way we were going to run the contract crushing business.” Working with his superintendents and many hard-working employees, he grew the business, particularly in the South.

By the early ’90s, Mellott’s father retired, so he took over the contract crushing part of the company while his uncle assumed duties for the quarry business. “We began to grow after the recession of 1990-91 and started to build our own equipment,” Mellott explains. The company even constructed a building where it could fabricate its own conveyors, frames, and hoppers.

Through personal relationships with members of Congress, Mellott has been able to carry the industry’s message to Capitol Hill. He is pictured here with Maryland Congressman Andy Harris and Harris’ family.

They quickly realized that the business couldn’t consume enough equipment to cover the costs of a standalone fabrication shop, so Mellott Enterprises, Inc. was born, and the manufacturing group resides in the building today. As internal manufacturing provided for many of the company’s equipment needs, H.B. Mellott Estate, Inc. grew quickly. “We could build what we wanted, when we wanted it, much more quickly and much more cheaply,” he says.

In 1997, Mellott was named president of H.B. Mellott Estate, Inc and Mellott Enterprises, Inc. “We started aggressively pursuing and hiring top quality people,” he says. A manager was hired for the company’s southern region with a goal of doubling its production, and that goal was met in three years. The company also hired Terry Randall, a Hagerstown accounting executive, who brought significant accounting and business experience to the team. “He helped us recruit really good people and brought strategic planning to our company,” Mellott says. “It became a major part of our thought process.”

Mellott says that one way ROCKPAC is grown is by making the reception a truly fun event. Ad hoc entertainment often includes the banter between attendees: “I’ve known Paul for over 25 years,” quips Kim Snyder (left). “I’m six weeks older, but much better looking.”

Six weeks after Randall joined the company, Mellott’s father passed away. “It became crystal clear to my family that we had to be prepared to take the business to the next generation, whether we had members of the fourth generation working here or not,” he says. “The economy was good, so we continued to recruit from outside the area and invest in quality people.

“My family was committed to finding great people, getting them involved in the organization, and giving them a clear idea of our mission and our vision,” Mellott adds. “It became the most important success factor that has contributed to the development of our company.”

Shortly after beginning succession planning efforts, Mellott’s uncle died at 64 years of age, and the third generation members considered how — as part of the company’s long-term legacy — they could create value for their employees, customers, and business partners.

During a conversation with Charlie Luck IV, Mellott learned that Luck’s family business was participating in a value-based leadership program offered by a Texas-based Caterpillar distributor. Mellott was intrigued by the concept and joined the program. “We changed our company for the better,” he says of the initiative. “We adopted five values: safety, integrity, commitment, respect, and excellence.”

Safety became the company’s first priority and number one value. “We started amazing programs: incentive plans, daily toolbox meetings, team meetings, and also empowered every employee to make a difference at their work area,” he says. As a result, the manufacturing group went seven years without a lost-time accident. “Everyone wanted to beat their record,” Mellott recalls. Through staff lunches, company leaders sat down with employees and communicated their goals and vision for the company, and the employees embraced their philosophy. “We ended up with a million hours without a lost-time accident, and our company’s culture changed,” he says.

“We have developed our company over the years from a company without a human resources or safety director, and one that didn’t have computers and didn’t have fax machines, into a company that has developed a clear mission and vision for the company: We strive every day to add value to our customers, and we want to add value for our employees,” Mellott says. The company invests not only in training, but also in providing the tools and equipment employees believe they need to do the job safely and efficiently. “We want our employees to feel they have a company behind their best interests,” he adds.

In January 2008, H.B.Mellott Estate, Inc. and Mellott Enterprises, Inc. merged into Mellott Co. During these last three years — when many companies have downsized their staff and not hired new employees — Mellott Co. has committed to hiring and training new people. “We feel that the future of our industry is going to be stressed by not having enough people coming into the industry wanting to work on crushers, with crushers, with equipment that crushes rock,” he says.

Developing community partnerships

Finding quality employees is a challenge for many operators, and one Mellott has met head on. Nearly two decades ago, he recognized the need to improve educational quality and opportunities for local students, and the company adopted the local school. Mellott worked with an 8th grade teacher and visited the classrooms with guest speakers every two weeks. The theme of every speaker was to share his or her personal story about the importance of obtaining a quality education. “I spoke to the students at the beginning of the school year and talked to them about our industry, but also discussed how important education would be to improve the quality of their life,” he said. The students were sent on field trips at the end of the year and required to write papers about their experience.

“Paul has always had a genuine interest in the next generation of aggregate leaders,” says Ward Nye, president and chief executive officer of Martin Marietta Materials and 2006 AggMan of the Year. “He has been generous with his time, his thoughts, and his counsel — and it has made a tremendous difference in the lives of many.”

Mellott Co.’s school partnership has transitioned to the high school with the entire senior class visiting the campus for a mock job interview a month before graduation. During the half-day program, students tour the operation as well as meet with various managers to go through the interview process. Because it is now part of their curriculum, they receive a grade for their senior project based on their interviews. “It’s really cool; these young kids come in all dressed up and eager to learn about the interview process,” Mellott says. “They have a great time, and we really enjoy it.”

The partnership has been embraced by the staff. Every year, some of their family members are among the students visiting the company campus. “They see us give back, and they feel the company really cares about the community,” Mellott observes.

Last year, the partnership added another element to the job interview/campus visit with the seniors participating in value-based training. Mellott managers visited the school throughout the year and gave the entire senior class a presentation on each of the five values. The students then prepared their annual project, which had to be associated with a volunteer effort. A group of Mellott managers listened to each senior’s presentation and awarded five $2,000 scholarships for those who most exemplified each of the company’s core values. The five scholarship winners have committed to return to the school at this year’s Christmas break to participate in a values panel discussion with the current senior class.

“We’re actually teaching these kids what values are, what our values are, and how to relate to values,” he says. “This is one of the programs we’ve been developing over the years to build a successful team.”

Building political influence

Another area where Mellott has been particularly effective is in building the aggregate industry’s influence on Capitol Hill. As he worked with various state and national associations, he learned how important it was to educate the public about what the industry does and how its products are used. “A lot of people have no idea what we do,” Mellott explains.

He carried the industry’s message to the public while serving on the boards of the Pennsylvania Aggregate and Concrete Association and the North Carolina Aggregate Association, as well as when he served as chairman of the board of both the Maryland Aggregate Association and the NSSGA. During that time, his friend Tony Basolo encouraged him to dedicate his energy to building industry clout in Washington, D.C.

Through his early ventures, Mellott quickly realized that, although he knew elected officials in his home state such as Bud Shuster, neither he nor other industry executives had the personal relationships in Congress needed to see members of committees who were developing legislation on important industry issues outside of transportation. “It was humbling not to know anyone on a committee making decisions that greatly impacted our industry,” he says.

Working first with STONEPAC and now ROCKPAC, Mellott has helped to build a well-known and respected group of trustees, as well as a strong grassroots network. Earlier this year, the National Association of Business Political Action Committees released its latest rankings of the top 250 trade association PACs, based on fundraising during the first half of 2011. ROCKPAC landed in the top 20 for the first time, placing 19th. Its successful climb has been a swift one. During the last decade, the PAC has grown by 268 percent.

“When I think of my dear friend, the one word that really comes to mind is enthusiasm. Paul exudes enthusiasm,” says Dave Thomey, executive vice president of Maryland Materials, Inc., and NSSGA’s chairman of the board. “It is his enthusiastic vision that has helped make Mellott Co. the success it is today. It is his enthusiastic love of family that manifests itself whenever he is in your presence. It is his enthusiastic support of ROCKPAC that has made it the major PAC in the construction industry.”

Despite ROCKPAC’s success, Mellott points out there is much more work to do. “It has become my passion to see how we can continue to grow ROCKPAC and have a voice in Washington,” he says. “There has never been a more important time to be involved. If we could get all 120,000 people working in the industry to call their Congressmen when we need them to listen to us, then that’s real power.

“Employees should be educated and encouraged to contact their Congressmen on company time. We should make sure they are registered to vote and participate aggressively in the process,” Mellott adds. “We’ve got to get people to be engaged and fully understand what’s happening next fall.”

And if anyone doubts Mellott’s ability to bring his vision to reality, they need simply to listen to those who know him best. “It’s an understatement to say that Paul, particularly through his ROCKPAC efforts, changed our industry’s political strength and influence in Washington,” Nye says. “It has actually been quite amazing to watch: people just can’t say no to Paul — whether it’s for a ROCKPAC contribution or a vote on a critical issue to our industry.”

“His leadership, vision, inspiration, and energy have fueled NSSGA’s political action and the growth of ROCKPAC,” adds Pamela J. Whitted, NSSGA’s senior vice president, legislative and regulatory affairs. “He is passionate about the aggregates industry and understands the importance of building relationships with lawmakers to amplify the voice of the industry on Capitol Hill and achieve success in advancing industry policy positions. I can think of no more deserving individual for AggMan of the Year than Paul Mellott.”

A Personal Perspective on Paul Mellott

“Paul was my first chairman of the association’s board. He guided the association members and staff through the transition of my predecessor announcing his retirement, and through my selection and orientation. Paul’s team attitude was palpable. With his fellow officers “in the chairs,” Mark Towe and Tony Basolo, a rare synergy resulted in their being dubbed “The Three Amigos.”

Paul is a discerning visionary. He sees values ahead and steers the ship to those ports. From helping incubate Young Leaders as a way to bring new industry talent into leadership through the association’s networking and educational capabilities, to seeing ROCKPAC as a powerful tool demonstrating our industry’s commitment to democracy and engaging in the political process, Paul naturally motivates and stimulates different thinking. He is all about growth — of our country, our communities, and our industry. He is a fierce patriot and somehow he doesn’t let cynicism bog down his energy or his enthusiasm.

AggMan of the Year couldn’t be more appropriately awarded to Paul Mellott. Paul’s devotion to the incessant education of and advocacy before Congress is only matched by his determination — and that of our ROCKPAC Trustees, the generous donors, and our staff team — that ROCKPAC should demonstrate the caliber of our industry’s leaders. Paul Mellott deserves the lion’s share of the credit in leading NSSGA’s political participation program to greater heights.

Congratulations to Paul and his vivacious wife, Lotta, who have approached their experience of NSSGA as a team. Paul embodies the characteristic of so many in our industry who seek no accolades, but contribute heroically every day toward making the world, nation, and industry better by never taking his eye off the goal of being the “best.”

—by Joy Wilson, NSSGA CEO

Caterpillar

Cat 300.9D Takes Cat Into The Micro Market

The 300.9D weighs in at 2,061 pounds, making it the smallest machine in the Cat range. With an overall width of 28.7 inches, the machine is capable of driving through a standard doorway, providing easy access to the most confined job sites.

A water-cooled, three-cylinder diesel engine produces 18.4 horsepower; along with a twin gear pump hydraulic system creates a maximum stick breakout force of 1,011 pound-feet and a maximum bucket breakout force of 2,000 pound-feet. The machine comes equipped with an extending undercarriage and fold-out dozer blade, ensuring maximum stability and allowing a digging depth of up to 69.4 in (1,731mm) and a maximum excavation radius of 121.7 in (3,074mm).

A foldable overhead protective structure is mounted on the front of the machine, allowing the fitting of an additional guard to protect the operator when the machine is used with a hydraulic breaker. Caterpillar’s work tool division will be introducing a new H25 compact breaker specifically to work with this smaller machine.  Auxiliary hydraulic lines with quick disconnect fittings are supplied as standard.

A spacious operator area with easy to use controls ensures the 300.9D will be a popular choice with operators of all abilities. The folding structure and operating weight well below 1 tonne, makes the 300.9D easy to transport on a trailer behind a van or truck, while a simple single steel engine cover provides easy access to all service and maintenance points.

301.4C Boosts Key Rental Sector

With an operating weight of 2,921 to 3,340 pounds, depending on specification, the Cat 301.4C fits into the line-up below the current 301.8C, extending choice in the popular 1.5 ton market. The machine is available with a choice of cab or FOPS/TOPS canopy, and with standard or extending width undercarriage.

Power comes from a 24 horsepower engine and the machine boasts a maximum bucket breakout force of 3,597 pound-feet and a stick force of 1,596 pound-feet. The machine has good working range with a maximum digging depth of 143.5 inches and reach at ground level extends to 145.7 inches. The maximum lift capacity to the front of the machine is 1,576 pounds. Lift capacity over the side of the machine is 739 pounds with the retracted 39 inches width tracks, rising to 1,091 pounds with the standard 51.2 inches extendable tracks.

Standard equipment includes extendable undercarriage, single and two-way auxiliary hydraulic lines, a sturdy dozer blade, a suspension seat and a hydraulic oil cooler. The machine will have a bucket linkage that allows the use of a wide range of existing Cat buckets, quick couplers and powered work tools.

302.7D CR Joins Growing Compact Radius Line

Tipping the scales at 5,681 pounds with a canopy and 5,886 pounds with full cab, the 302.7D CR is the lightest Cat compact radius model, making it easy to transport for a rental company or contractor. Powered by the same proven 24 horsepower engine as the 301.4C, the machine boasts a load sensing hydraulic system, providing a maximum bucket force of 5,058 pound-feet and a maximum stick force of 3,462 pound-feet.

The Cat 302.7D CR combines a compact radius design (zero tailswing without counterweight) with a spacious operator environment and easy access to regular service points. Two-way auxiliary lines are standard, equipped with quick disconnects for rapid work tool changeover. A joystick-mounted proportional auxiliary control allows for fine control of a range of powered attachments. The dozer blade offers added stability when digging, and a float function on the dozer control allows operators to grade and push with confidence.

Maximum lift capacity is 2,105 pounds with the standard long arm and counterweight combination. When lifting over the side the extra counterweight allows a maximum lift capacity of 1,373 pounds at a reach of 98 inches and ground level.

Customers should contact their local Cat dealer or visit http://www.cat.com/equipment/hydraulic-excavators/mini-hydraulic-exavators for more information about the less-than-3-ton excavators.

A summary of products Cat will show at World at Concrete 2012:

K Series 930 Small Wheel Loader

The new Cat K Series Small Wheel Loaders (924K, 930K and 938K) are redesigned to deliver class-leading comfort, performance and fuel efficiency. The new loaders use the Cat C6.6 ACERT engine, which meets Tier 4 Interim emission standards

Cat 930K small wheel loader (2)

and can deliver fuel savings of up to 30 percent, compared with H Series models. The new loader linkage blends the power of Z-bar linkage with the versatility of Cat VersaLink or IT linkages for superior performance with buckets or forks. Featuring a new Intelligent Hydrostatic drive system, K Series models are equipped with a front-axle differential lock, new cooling package, and new operator’s station with automatic climate control.

K2 Family D5 Track-Type Tractor

The new Cat K2 Track-Type Tractors (D3K2, D4K2 and D5K2)

D5K2 Small Track-Type Tractor

are designed for superior performance in utility and finish-grading applications. Powered by the Cat C4.4 engine, which meets Tier 4 Interim emission standards, these new models feature hydrostatic drive and a new Traction Control system that reduces track slip during maximum load conditions. The new Stable Blade system complements the operator’s blade-control input, and a new Eco Mode system can improve fuel economy up to 10 percent with appropriate reductions in engine speed. Options include ventilated seats and heated control handles.

E Series 304 Mini Hydraulic Excavator
The new E Series Compact Radius (CR) Mini Hydraulic Excavators models — 303.5E CR, 304E CR, 305E CR, 305.5E CR and 308E CR SB (swing boom) — feature new engines that meet Tier 4 Interim emission standards and refined auxiliary-hydraulic systems that provide adjustable flow rates, pre-set work-tool flows and continuous-flow capability. Secondary auxiliary-hydraulic controls are integrated into new ergonomic joysticks, and the implement hydraulic system features a new economy mode. A new monitoring system with the COMPASS digital display panel simplifies operator interface with new control features, including an anti-theft feature.

D Series 272 XHP Skid Steer Loader
The new Cat D Series Skid Steer Loaders (272D and 272D XHP) and Compact Track Loaders (299D and 299D XHP) are large-frame models built to take on the toughest digging applications and handle the largest work tools—such as cold planers and wheel saws. The new D Series models use a more powerful, Cat C3.8 engine that meets Tier 4 Interim emission standards and feature a 19-percent boost in lifting force. The XHP models are the largest and most powerful models of their type ever produced by Caterpillar, having an auxiliary-hydraulic flow of 40 gpm (150 lpm) that produces 22-percent more hydraulic horsepower, compared with C Series models.

F Series 420 Backhoe Loader
The new Cat F Series Backhoe Loaders (416F, 420F and 430F) are redesigned center-pivot models that deliver enhanced performance, visibility, durability and serviceability. The new models use the Cat C4.4 engine, which meets Tier 4 Interim emissions standards and provides horsepower ratings from 87 to 106 (64-78 kW). The F Series models feature a new loader linkage that provides greater lift and dump heights, as well as increased lift capacity. Specific-model enhancements include an electronic torque limiter for improved hydraulic performance and power management, new torque converter for improved roading characteristics and power-boosted brakes.

C Series TL1255 Telehandler

The Cat TL1255C Telehandler, the largest machine in the new C Series range, has a maximum lift capacity of 12,000 pounds (5 443 kg) and a maximum lift height of 54.3 feet (16.6 m). The TL1255′s Cat C4.4 ACERT engine, meets Tier 4 Interim emissions standards while developing 142 horsepower (106 kW).  It is specially designed for telehandler applications and can accommodate B20 biofuel. The TL1255, with a top speed of 20.4 mph (32.8 kmh), features a simultaneously extending boom, new Cat 4F/3R powershift transmission with clutch modulation, and new styling and color scheme.

Unit Rig mining trucks have ‘market compatibility’ with the existing Cat product line.

When the Caterpillar acquisition of mining equipment giant Bucyrus was finalized in July, the resulting announcement of new Cat Mining models seemed the perfect fit — almost.

The 793F represents the fifth generation of the 240-ton-payload “cornerstone” to the Caterpillar mining truck family, started in earnest in 1984. “When it comes to cost per ton, this product is the world beater,” says Ed McCord, Caterpillar mining truck product manager. Cat now adds the Unit Rig family, a pioneer brand that built the world’s first 200-ton electric-drive truck in 1969.

Where before there were no surface drills, hydraulic and electric rope shovels, draglines, underground drills, scoops, face haulers, and longwall shears among others, instantly, Caterpillar had them all, immediately re-branded with Cat-friendly nomenclature.

But what about the Bucyrus mining trucks, the former Unit Rig models previously owned by Terex? With its 10,000-plus large mining trucks already in the worldwide market, Caterpillar was already top of that game with market-leading models covering the payload range right up to 400 tons.

Don’t let the overall numbers fool you, says Ed McCord, Caterpillar mining trucks product manager. There’s a market for both the existing family of mostly mechanical-drive Caterpillar trucks and the full electric-drive family of re-branded Unit Rig trucks that “we will develop, manufacture, and sell,” McCord says. “We’ll sell them to those customers who have the right business case and to whom these trucks present the right value for their particular circumstances.” It will be a two-tier approach to market, if you may. “We are in the best position ever to offer the customer the widest possible variety of trucks,” he says, “and make sure that the truck, whether it’s mechanical drive or electric drive, is meeting the specific requirements of that customer and that dealer, who has to support that truck to the best possible degree. With the combined ranges of Caterpillar and Unit Rig, we can meet all kinds of requirements with a greater scope of response to each.”

Noting that 85 percent of Caterpillar large mining trucks ship to traditional markets in the Americas and Australia/Indonesia, there is “good market compatibility” with Unit Rig, noting that the latter brand’s “rest of world” (excluding Africa) shipments are 41 percent of its total compared to Caterpillar’s 8 percent. “Where Caterpillar has done very well with truck shipments, Unit Rig has done relatively poorly,” says McCord. “Where Caterpillar has done relatively poorly, the rest of the world, Unit Rig has been very present.”

Unit Rig trucks will eventually shed their MTU or Cummins engines in favor of Caterpillar power plants. “With a decent product and with Caterpillar-type product support, investment, distribution, and development, we will really do some remarkable things with these Unit Rig trucks,” says McCord, who notes that the eight-month wait for the Bucyrus deal to be approved was miniscule compared to the time he and his colleagues had to figure out what to do with the mining trucks. “In fact, we’ve had eight years and 11 days to think about it,” he notes, “because on July 1, 2003, we announced that we were acquiring Unit Rig and that we expected to complete the acquisition by the end of the year.”

On second thought, competing trucks aside, maybe some things are just meant to be.

The five-year agreement. publicly announced on Sept. 29, centers on APR working with Caterpillar, Ring Power, and the Cat dealer network to originate and respond to temporary power plant opportunities.

As part of the agreement, Caterpillar will supply mobile generator sets through Ring Power to APR Energy, including the new XQ2000 and XQ1475G power designed specifically for the international power projects market.

According to Caterpillar, APR will benefit from an increased flow of temporary power plant opportunities and from clear visibility of an integrated supply line to fulfill its diesel and gas engine requirements, and Caterpillar will benefit from an increased presence, on a global basis, in the IPP market.

“We are pleased to be working with Ring Power and APR Energy as we expand our growth in the international power projects business,” Bill Rohner, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for electric power, said in a written statement. “APR’s experience in temporary power solutions, Caterpillar’s engineering and product expertise, and Ring Power’s rental experience will enable us to better serve our customers.”