PEORIA, Ill., Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Retired Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Glen Barton is being honored by SAE International for his leadership and emphasis on improving product, processes and quality during his tenure as the company's top executive from 1999 to 2004.
After assuming the role of Chairman and CEO, Barton led the deployment of 6 Sigma across the Caterpillar enterprise, a fact-based, data-driven approach to process improvement aimed at the near elimination of defects in every process and transaction. Its launch was unique in that it occurred in a single wave simultaneously throughout the entire corporation.
"The decision to deploy 6 Sigma brought about a significant cultural shift in the organization and drove collaboration and teamwork throughout all of Caterpillar. I am proud that our team was able to get it done," said Barton. "It was critical to not only embed 6 Sigma into multiple quality processes, we also made sure the organization understood that 6 Sigma at Caterpillar was not just a focus on product quality, but improving all business processes."
Barton's efforts are being recognized tonight at SAE International's COMVEC Industry Keynote and Awards Banquet being held in Rosemont, Illinois. SAE International is a global association of more than 133,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle industries. Barton is the recipient of the Subir Chowdhury Medal of Quality Leadership award, which recognizes those who foster innovation and broaden the impact of quality in their industry.
Barton's contributions to quality improvement in organizations outside of Caterpillar are also extensive. These include deploying 6 Sigma to Caterpillar dealers and suppliers, and supporting various organizations like Malcom Baldridge, corporate boards and not-for-profit organizations. Among his many appointments, Barton has served as a founder of Peoria NEXT, Bradley University Board of Trustees and is on the University of Missouri-Columbia Dean's Engineering Advisory Council. Barton and his wife, Polly, continue to be actively involved in many different initiatives within their home city of Peoria, Illinois.
About Caterpillar:
For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2011 sales and revenues of $60.138 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 and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.caterpillar.com.
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Caterpillar's actual results may differ materially from those described or implied in our 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 we serve; (ii) government monetary or fiscal policies and infrastructure spending; (iii) commodity or component price increases and/or limited availability of raw materials and component products, including steel; (iv) our and our customers', dealers' and suppliers' ability to access and manage liquidity; (v) political and economic risks and instability, including national or international conflicts and civil unrest; (vi) our and Cat Financial's ability to: maintain credit ratings, avoid material increases in borrowing costs, and access capital markets; (vii) the 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) international trade and investment policies; (x) challenges related to Tier 4 emissions compliance; (xi) market acceptance of our products and services; (xii) changes in the competitive environment, including market share, pricing and geographic and product mix of sales; (xiii) successful implementation of capacity expansion projects, cost reduction initiatives and efficiency or productivity initiatives, including the Caterpillar Production System; (xiv) sourcing practices of our dealers or original equipment manufacturers; (xv) compliance with environmental laws and regulations; (xvi) alleged or actual violations of trade or anti-corruption laws and regulations; (xvii) additional tax expense or exposure; (xviii) currency fluctuations; (xix) our or Cat Financial's compliance with financial covenants; (xx) increased pension plan funding obligations; (xxi) union disputes or other employee relations issues; (xxii) significant legal proceedings, claims, lawsuits or investigations; (xxiii) compliance requirements imposed if carbon emissions legislation and/or regulations are adopted; (xxiv) changes in accounting standards; (xxv) failure or breach of IT security; (xxvi) adverse effects of natural disasters; and (xxvii) other factors described in more detail under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2012 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This filing is available on our website at www.caterpillar.com/secfilings.
SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.