Caterpillar Update on Impact of Crisis in Japan
Company continues to support employees in Japan while focusing global resources on supply chain impacts in Japan
PEORIA, Ill., March 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the last week, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) and Caterpillar Japan Limited have actively monitored the on-going developments in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people in Japan who have been impacted by this disaster. The company is providing assistance for all employees living and working in Japan.
Caterpillar's facilities in Tokyo, Akashi and Sagami were not damaged by the earthquake, and are outside of the current area the Japanese government has declared as a mandatory evacuation zone. Both the Sagami and Akashi facilities have continued to operate and produce product, although the current situation in Japan is having some impact on production, which has varied day to day over the last week.
To date, the disruption to the supply chain in Japan has not stopped production at other Caterpillar facilities around the world; although moving forward, it is possible those facilities may be sporadically impacted as a result of the situation in Japan.
Caterpillar is focusing resources from around the world to determine the full scope and impact to the company's supply chain. We are also actively developing alternative sources for components produced by Japanese-based suppliers, should some suppliers not be able to provide components to Caterpillar operations inside and outside of Japan.
The Caterpillar Foundation has announced a $1 million grant to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts in Japan. In addition to the American Red Cross grant, the Foundation will match up to $500,000 in Caterpillar employee, retiree and dealer employee contributions to the Red Cross. Caterpillar Japan Limited has pledged an additional $1 million to support disaster relief efforts, primarily made up of in-kind equipment. At this time, Caterpillar Japan Limited is offering the use of machinery and generator sets to governmental agencies in Japan to assist in the recovery efforts.
About Caterpillar:
For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2010 sales and revenues of $42.588 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 also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.caterpillar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release relate to future events and expectations and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to known and unknown factors that may cause Caterpillar's actual results to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "believe," "estimate," "will be," "will," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "project," "intend," "could," "should" or other similar words or expressions often identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our outlook, projections, forecasts or trend descriptions. These statements do not guarantee future performance, and Caterpillar does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.
It is important to note that Caterpillar's actual results may differ materially from those described or implied in its forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) global economic conditions and economic conditions in the industries and markets Caterpillar serves; (ii) government monetary or fiscal policies and government spending on infrastructure; (iii) commodity or component price increases and/or limited availability of raw materials and component products, including steel; (iv) Caterpillar's and its customers', dealers' and suppliers' ability to access and manage liquidity; (v) political and economic risks associated with our global operations, including changes in laws, regulations or government policies, currency restrictions, restrictions on repatriation of earnings, burdensome tariffs or quotas, national and international conflict, including terrorist acts and political and economic instability or civil unrest in the countries in which Caterpillar operates; (vi) Caterpillar's and Cat Financial's ability to maintain their respective credit ratings, material increases in either company's cost of borrowing or an inability of either company to access capital markets; (vii) financial condition and credit worthiness of Cat Financial's customers; (viii) inability to realize expected benefits from acquisitions and divestitures, including the acquisition of Bucyrus International, Inc.; (ix) the possibility that the acquisition by Caterpillar of Bucyrus International, Inc. does not close for any reason, including, but not limited to, a failure to obtain required regulatory approvals; (x) international trade and investment policies, such as import quotas, capital controls or tariffs; (xi) the possibility that Caterpillar's introduction of Tier 4 emissions compliant machines and engines is not successful; (xii) market acceptance of Caterpillar's products and services; (xiii) effects of changes in the competitive environment, which may include decreased market share, lack of acceptance of price increases, and/or negative changes to our geographic and product mix of sales; (xiv) union disputes or other employee relations issues; (xv) Caterpillar's ability to successfully implement the Caterpillar Production System or other productivity initiatives; (xvi) adverse changes in sourcing practices of our dealers or original equipment manufacturers; (xvii) compliance costs associated with environmental laws and regulations; (xviii) alleged or actual violations of trade or anti-corruption laws and regulations; (xix) additional tax expense or exposure; (xx) currency fluctuations, particularly increases and decreases in the U.S. dollar against other currencies; (xxi) failure of Caterpillar or Cat Financial to comply with financial covenants in their respective credit facilities; (xxii) increased funding obligations under our pension plans; (xxiii) significant legal proceedings, claims, lawsuits or investigations; (xxiv) imposition of operational restrictions or compliance requirements if carbon emissions legislation and/or regulations are adopted; (xxv) changes in accounting standards or adoption of new accounting standards; (xxvi) adverse effects of natural disasters; and (xxvii) other factors described in more detail under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 22, 2011 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This filing is available on our website at www.caterpillar.com/secfilings.
SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.
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