Errol Wint, the man in charge of the Caterpillar plant in Athens, took a seat at a conference room table Thursday morning to chat with the press about the company’s success in its first 100 years.
Caterpillar, formed in 1925 in California, is now a global business operating plants throughout the world. The manufacturing plant in Athens opened in 2013.
These big, powerful machines moving dirt for highways and construction projects are a product of the Caterpillar employees, according to Wint.
“Caterpillar cares about their employees and the products reflect it,” he said.
“To be around 100 years − I think that’s what 100 years teaches you,” Wink said about the emphasis the company places on its employees. The plant in Athens, where Wink is facilities manager, employees about 1,100 people.
This week Caterpillar sent its Centennial World Tour bus to the Athens plant for employees to visit. The interactive mobile unit provided information on plants worldwide and included a futures room projecting Caterpillar’s role in the future, even what its products might look like when Mars is settled by humankind.
The company in Athens makes the smaller bulldozers, often used on highway ramp construction, and the smaller version excavators.
As part of the local celebration, the Caterpillar Foundation donated a $23,000 check to the Athens Area Community Foundation, according to Lisa Miller, a media relations specialist with Caterpillar. Donations will also be made at other Caterpillar cities to charitable organizations, she said.
During a tour of the mobile unit, several employees commented on Caterpillar’s impact on their careers, reflective of what Wint had expressed.
Apollonia Favors of Athens has worked at the plant for 11 years.
“I came here because I was looking for a career and not a job,” she said. “During my time here, I have worked in three different departments, so I have gotten a lot of experience. “I was so excited about the 100th anniversary. It shows the longevity of the company and why I came here for a career.”
Nathan Welch of Athens explained he was in high school when he heard about the plant opening. Later he was working as a machinist for another company when he was hired by Caterpillar about three years ago.
“Caterpillar is helpful in getting to my career goals. They’ve been working with me in going back to school and finishing my college degree. They’ve been willing to work with me,” he said.
Luke James, who has worked there almost eight years, explained he has been welding since he was 10 years old and decided to make it a career about 15 years ago.
“I heard they had a good program here,” he said, adding he has liked bulldozers since he was a kid.
Working here has “been fantastic. I’ve gotten to build the blades on bulldozers,” he said. “It’s a way better job than some of the others I’ve had.”
After Athens, the mobile unit will visit other Caterpillar plants across the country as part of the anniversary.
Wink, an 11-year employee, said he has told employees that “what you make is a reflection of who you are.”
And he predicted, “We’ll do it for 100 years more.”
