Strategic reorganization at Caterpillar
Company announces vice-president retirements, new appointments and organizational changes
CATERPILLAR Inc. have today announced that Paolo Fellin, vice-president of the company’s Global Construction & Infrastructure (GCI) Division, Greg Folley, vice-president of the Industry Solutions, Components & Distribution Division (ISCD), and George Taylor, vice-president of the Marketing & Digital Division, have elected to retire.
In connection with these retirements and taking into account the company’s previously announced plan to review and update its strategy with the establishment of a Strategic Planning Committee, Caterpillar have also announced organizational changes that will result in the creation of two new divisions, the appointment two new vice-presidents and the launch of a search for a third.
The board of directors has appointed Damien Giraud, currently worldwide product manager for Caterpillar’s large excavators, as the new vice-president of GCI Division, effective 1 August 2017, to succeed Mr Fellin.
Mr Giraud (pictured) joined Caterpillar in 1998 following a seven-year career with French civil engineering and construction firm Colas Group. During nearly 20 years with Caterpillar, he has held a number of marketing and product management roles with an increasing level of responsibility.
Caterpillar’s chief executive officer, Jim Umpleby, said: ‘Damien brings an exceptional focus on our customers to this position. That customer focus combined with his global work experience, deep industry knowledge, and his strong and transparent communication skills make him ideally suited for this position.’
Meanwhile, Chris Snodgrass, currently general manager of Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division (IPSD), has been appointed as vice-president of the newly created Product Support & Logistics Division (PSLD), effective 1 July 2017. This new division will combine groups currently located in other Caterpillar divisions to drive collaboration and implement strategic initiatives under the leadership of Mr Snodgrass.
PSLD will include the design and manufacturing of wear and maintenance component products, as well as the support of prime product and parts distribution, inbound and outbound logistics, warehousing functions, and packaging and container management.
Caterpillar have also announced the creation of a new Digital Enabled Solutions Division, which will bring together the company’s data analytics group, the enterprise data hub, equipment management tools, Cat Connect technologies, and customer experience portals. An external search will begin immediately to find an executive to lead this new division.
In addition, as part of the reorganization, Caterpillar’s marketing and brand organization will become part of the existing Global Aftermarket Solutions Division led by vice-president Nigel Lewis.
