Caterpillar Inc. is the world's largest construction equipment manufacturer with headquarters in Peoria, Illinois. In addition to construction machinery, Caterpillar also manufactures diesel engines, gas engines and industrial gas turbines.
UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549
We are cleaning up hazardous waste at a number of locations, often with other companies, pursuant to federal and state laws. When it is likely we will pay clean-up costs at a site and those costs can be estimated, the costs are charged against our earnings. In doing that estimate, we do not consider amounts expected to be recovered from insurance companies and others.
The amount accrued for environmental clean-up is not material and is included in "Accrued expenses" in the Statement of Financial Position. If a range of liability estimates is available on a particular site, we accrue at the lower end of that range.
We cannot estimate costs on sites in the very early stages of clean-up. Currently, we have five sites in the very early stages of clean-up, and there is no more than a remote chance that a material amount for clean-up will be required.
Pursuant to a consent decree Caterpillar entered with the EPA, the company was required to meet certain emission standards by October 2002. The decree provides that if engine manufacturers were unable to meet the standards at that time, they would be required to pay a Non-Conformance Penalty (NCP) on each engine sold that did not meet the standard. The amount of the NCP would be based on how close to meeting the standard the engine came - the more out of compliance the higher the penalty. The company began introduction of fully compliant ACERT engines in 2003 and by the end of 2003 Caterpillar was only producing fully compliant engine models. As a result, NCPs are not payable for any engines built in 2004. The companys first quarter 2004 operating profit was favorably impacted by $49 million due to the absence of NCPs that were recorded in the first quarter 2003.< /P>
In addition, the consent decree required Caterpillar to pay a fine of $25 million, which was expensed in 1998 and to make investments totaling $35 million in environmental-related products by July 7, 2007. Total qualifying investments to date for these projects are $30 million, of which $1 million was made through the first quarter of 2004. A future benefit is expected to be realized from these environmental projects related to Caterpillar's ability to capitalize on the technologies it developed in complying with its environmental project obligations. In short, Caterpillar expects to receive a positive net return on the environmental projects by being able to market the technology it developed.
March 31,
December 31,
2004
2003
Our earnings and cash flow are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. Our Risk Management Policy (policy) allows for the use of derivative financial instruments to prudently manage foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price exposure. Our policy specifies that derivatives are not to be used for speculative purposes. Derivatives that we use are primarily foreign currency forward and option contracts, interest rate swaps and commodity forward and option contracts. Our derivative activities are subject to the management, direction and control of our financial officers. Risk management practices, including the use of financial derivative instruments, are presented to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors at least annually.
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75
(22)
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(11)
9
68
We have made tremendous productivity gains in the last few years, and we continue to benefit from a lean and efficient workforce. While there were some higher costs related to surging volume, we leveraged 6 Sigma disciplines to help overcome supply chain bottlenecks and meet stronger than expected demand. Our record first-quarter results show that people are making a positive difference across the entire value chain.
We remain focused on managing our cost structure as the economy recovers, ensuring we deliver outstanding results over the business cycle. We will continue to rely on our 6 Sigma culture to ensure we are growing profitably. We now have more than 2,700 trained black belts, who are launching thousands of new projects this year as we continue to demonstrate the value of 6 Sigma in achieving our business strategy. Virtually all of our employees are involved in 6 Sigma and engaged in making continuous improvement a way of life.
It appears the world economy will have one of the strongest, broadest recoveries in years. Economic stimulus in the United States is producing strong growth and the Asian economies are improving on last years outstanding performance. Low interest rates throughout the world and higher commodity prices are encouraging much needed construction spending and investments in the mining industry. Sales opportunities are increasing and we are exceptionally well positioned to benefit with our broad product offerings and strong global dealer network. We anticipate that keeping pace with volume growth will require additional hiring through the remainder of the year.
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March 31, 2003
March 31, 2004
Consolidated
MachineryandEngines(1)
Financial Products
33
Machinery andEngines(1)
Consolidating Adjustments
FinancialProducts
Machineryand Engines(1)
37
40