President George W. Bush Visits Cat Facility in Illinois

Caterpillar Inc. recently hosted the commander in chief at the company’s
manufacturing facility in East Peoria, Ill., where President George W. Bush
commended Caterpillar for successfully demonstrating that U.S. companies can
successfully compete on the world stage.

“The U.S. and global economy have benefited from the President’s pro-growth
tax and free trade policies, which have stimulated strong economic growth,” said
Caterpillar chairman and CEO Jim Owens while introducing the President. “I thank
Team Caterpillar for representing the competitive American spirit and
positioning our company to take advantage of the opportunity created.”

During his visit, the President highlighted free trade agreements put in
place during his administration, which have benefited companies like Cat. The
machines and products made in East Peoria and at Caterpillar facilities across
the United States are shipped throughout the world. Caterpillar exported more
than $10 billion in products from the United States in 2006, a record for the
company. Bush also recognized worker training programs, safe workplaces and
competitive health care benefits that make up the culture of excellence and
accomplishment at Caterpillar.

“Today’s presidential visit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our
employees,” said Bob Williams, the Caterpillar vice president who leads the
company’s U.S. Operations Division. “Many of our employees got to meet the
President, and he, in turn, praised them for their hard work building
Caterpillar’s signature product: the track-type tractor. These machines are the
workhorse of the world’s greatest construction projects. They are a strong
export product for our company and represent American manufacturing at its
best.”

Bush talked about how communities like Peoria contribute to the strength of
the American economy. The President said he was impressed with the quality of
Cat machines that are in demand all over the globe, but even more impressed with
the American workers who build them.