Caterpillar Inc.

• Tom March from England Crowned Inaugural Global Dealer Technician Challenge Champion
• Brian Hayden from the United States of America wins 3rd Global Operator Challenge
• Building the Future Workforce Initiative to launch Spring 2026

LAS VEGAS, March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) is investing in the future of skilled trades through programs that highlight technical excellence, real-world expertise and the people who power the construction industry. These efforts reinforce Caterpillar's commitment to workforce development and prepare the next generation to support customers and build the world's infrastructure.

"As global infrastructure demand increases, access to skilled technicians and operators is a critical issue for our industry," said Caterpillar CEO Joe Creed. "By investing in training and upskilling, we're helping to build the workforce our industry depends on and staying true to our mission of solving our customers' toughest challenges."

Caterpillar crowned the winners of its two major global competitions — the Global Dealer Technician Challenge and the Global Operator Challenge — during CONEXPO/CON‑AGG. Both challenges highlighted the essential role technicians and machine operators play in powering progress around the world.

Celebrating the Heroes of the Trade

The Global Dealer Technician Challenge showcased the high-tech, high-impact nature of today's technician careers. The competition spotlighted the agility, diagnostic expertise and problem-solving skills required to keep customers' equipment running at peak performance through a series of challenges in which technicians had to accurately diagnose and make repairs under intense time pressure.

Cat dealers continue to experience strong demand for technicians. By the end of 2028, Cat dealers may need to hire more than 38,000 technicians globally. The challenge was designed to raise awareness of these opportunities and encourage individuals who are mechanically inclined, tech-savvy and eager to solve complex problems to consider a career with a Cat dealer.

Of the thousands of technicians who competed in events around the world, only 10 advanced to the finals. The 2026 Global Dealer Technician Challenge Champion is Tom March from England representing Finning UK. [Click here to see highlights from the Global Dealer Technician Challenge.]

The World's Most Skilled Machine Operators Forge Their Legacy

Since the spring of 2025, thousands of operators from more than 40 countries have competed in the Caterpillar Global Operator Challenge — one of the largest and most celebrated events for operators in the construction industry. The competition highlighted the mastery required to safely operate Cat machines with precision, efficiency and technological sophistication through a series of challenges that tested material loading, object handling, precision placement and advanced machine control using wheel loaders, excavators and dozers. Nine operators advanced to the finals in Las Vegas.

Caterpillar crowned Brian Hayden from the United States of America as the 2026 Global Operator Challenge World Champion. Hayden will receive either a $10,000 cash prize or an equivalent value trip. [Click here to see highlights from the Global Operator Challenge.]

Building a Stronger Workforce for the Future

Caterpillar's workforce development initiatives — including these global competitions — are designed to elevate skilled trades, expand training opportunities and inspire the next generation of technicians and operators. The company is committed to helping individuals build rewarding careers that support the world's growing infrastructure needs. Caterpillar announced a five-year, $25 million innovation challenge at CES in January. As part of the Caterpillar Building the Future Workforce Initiative, this innovation prize will identify, test and scale solutions that help workers develop the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital and autonomous environment. The challenge launches in spring 2026 and is part of the $100 million commitment Caterpillar pledged last year.

Those interested in learning more about skilled trades can visit cat.com/dealertech or cat.com/operatortraining.

About Caterpillar

For more than a century, Caterpillar has helped build a better, more sustainable world. With 2025 sales and revenues of $67.6 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is shaping the future as the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Backed by one of the largest independent global dealer networks and financing services through Cat Financial, the company's primary business segments: Power & Energy, Construction Industries and Resource Industries are solving customers' toughest challenges through commercial excellence and advanced technology, driven by a highly skilled, dedicated global team. Learn more at www.caterpillar.com. 

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SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.

• Expands AI and autonomy capabilities across the jobsite
• Launches Cat Rentals and Cat Compact to meet evolving customer needs
• Strengthens digital and connected fleet solutions to drive operational and cost efficiency
• Celebrates the industry's most skilled operators and technicians in global competitions

LAS VEGAS, March 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) will showcase how it is helping customers solve their toughest challenges through advanced technology, service solutions and new products that improve productivity, enhance safety and address labor shortages.

"As jobsites become more complex, we're rapidly innovating to simplify how our customers operate and grow — at any scale," said Caterpillar CEO Joe Creed. "This week, we're demonstrating how a single platform connects the entire operation — empowering customers with AI and autonomy, redefining service and investing in the people doing the work every day."

Ground Breakers Keynote

Construction Industries Group President Rod Shurman, Chief Technology Officer Jaime Mineart and Chief Digital Officer Ogi Redzic will spotlight how Caterpillar is tackling the industry's toughest challenges head-on, pushing boundaries and shaping the future of construction.

"Caterpillar is focused on the challenges customers are dealing with right now: labor, safety and productivity," said Caterpillar Construction Industries Group President Rod Shurman. "From AI and autonomy in action to full-fleet connectivity to services commitments, everything we're showing is built to work where and when customers need it most whether it's on the job, in the shop or at the office." [Watch the keynote on Wednesday, March 4, at 1 p.m. PST in West Hall 108-110, or live stream here.]

Caterpillar Exhibits

Operator Stadium: Technology in Action

Caterpillar will transform 70,000 square feet of CONEXPO's Festival Grounds into an outdoor Operator Stadium, where customers can see some of the world's best operators put the latest technologies to the test in real-world jobsite scenarios. The stadium will also offer hands-on experiences with technology, service and Cat Rentals. Demonstrations run daily at 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. [View live demonstrations here.]

West Hall: Fast, Convenient Support for Small Contractors and Growing Customers

Debuting at CONEXPO, Cat Compact is a streamlined customer experience built for small contractors and growing businesses who value simplicity and speed. It brings everything together in one destination — allowing customers to buy, rent and service compact equipment with ease. By blending digital discovery and online research with the trusted, in-person expertise of Cat dealers, Cat Compact reduces complexity at every step. Designed to support customers where they are, it expands Caterpillar's relevance in the compact equipment industry and helps contractors stay productive and focused on getting the job done.

South Hall: Powering the Jobsite

Designed to support reliable, around-the-clock jobsite performance, the power solutions on display include new high-horsepower C3.6 and C13D engines. Engines and aftermarket offerings, such as condition monitoring, connectivity tools, and parts options, help customers protect uptime and get more from their equipment.

Physical AI and Autonomy Highlights

Building on momentum from CES 2026, Caterpillar will showcase how Cat® AI Assistant™ helps customers interact more easily with Cat equipment and digital tools. By reducing complexity and delivering timely answers and recommendations, Cat AI Assistant helps teams make faster, smarter decisions from the office to the jobsite.

Caterpillar will also highlight its collaboration with Geotab Inc., which integrates on-highway data into VisionLink™, enabling customers to manage their entire fleet through one platform. VisionLink™ improves uptime, productivity, safety, compliance and cost efficiency across on- and off-highway equipment for both Cat and non-Cat assets. [Learn more about Caterpillar's advanced technology here.]

Attendees at Operator Stadium can watch Caterpillar's first autonomous soil compactor — the Cat® CS12 — in action, in addition to Collision Mitigation, the newest solution in the Cat Detect portfolio. Live demonstrations from across the United States will showcase the latest advancements in remote operation and construction autonomy.

Enhanced Customer Programs and Rental Solutions

Caterpillar is enhancing its rewards, financing and service programs through Cat Rewards, the Cat Commercial Account and an upgraded Services Commitment that offers next-day parts, two-day repairs and Cat Credits when commitments aren't met. A refreshed Cat Rentals brand and digital solution will make it easier for customers to search for, manage and monitor equipment as they scale their operations.

Celebrating Skilled Labor

Caterpillar is elevating the skill and expertise of the world's top equipment operators and technicians — the professionals who drive productivity, safety and quality on jobsites every day.

Nine finalists from around the world will compete live in Caterpillar's Global Operator Challenge Finals at Operator Stadium on Tuesday, March 3, at 9:30 a.m. Following the competition, Caterpillar will also recognize the critical role dealer technicians serve by crowning the winner of its inaugural Global Dealer Technician Challenge. The awards ceremony for both challenges will begin at 3 p.m. [Watch the Global Operator Challenge and award ceremony live here.]

As previously announced, Creed and Shurman will participate in a fireside chat with Jefferies at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 5. Streaming information can be found here.

Visit Caterpillar's displays:

• Festival Grounds F29029
• West Hall W40416
• South Hall S80229

For more information on Caterpillar's CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 presence, visit www.cat.com/conexpo2026.

About Caterpillar

For more than a century, Caterpillar has helped build a better, more sustainable world. With 2025 sales and revenues of $67.6 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is shaping the future as the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Backed by one of the largest independent global dealer networks and financing services through Cat Financial, the company's primary business segments: Power & Energy, Construction Industries and Resource Industries are solving customers' toughest challenges through commercial excellence and advanced technology, driven by a highly skilled, dedicated global team. Learn more at www.caterpillar.com.  

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SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.