Engine Products Division News

Following the previous announcement regarding two group presidents’ retirements and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice President Steve Gosselin. After more than 35 years of outstanding service with the company, Steve Gosselin, 56, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, has elected to retire. Gosselin’s retirement will be effective February 1, 2015. “Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and product support roles, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and product support business…

Following the previous announcement regarding two group presidents’ retirements and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. today announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice President Steve Gosselin. After more than 35 years of outstanding service with the company, Steve Gosselin, 56, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, has elected to retire. Gosselin’s retirement will be effective February 1, 2015. “Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and product support roles, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and product support business…

Caterpillar Engine Products Division has announced the completion of a new catamaran fast excursion vessel for Yankee Roamer, Inc., Key West, Fla. The 92-ft. boat has a top speed of more than 27 knots. Yankee Freedom II was designed by Phil Hercus of Internation Catamaran Designs-Sydney, Australia. The Incat design uses a single chine Z-Bow hull shape that increases waterline length for improved high-speed performance and seakeeping ability. Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Somerset, Mass. built the all-aluminum vessel and designed the interior and mechanical systems. Gladding-Hearn is Incat's U.S. East Coast licensee and is schedule to launch two more Incat designed ferries this year. Yankee Freedom II is powered by two Cat 3412C marine engines, each rated 1,050 bhp at 2,300 rpm.

Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. bought closely held Sabre Engines Ltd., a U.K.-based company that specializes in high-performance marine diesel engines. Terms of the deal were not released. "The benefit to our customers and the marine industry is that boat builders will be able to one-stop-shop a wider horsepower range for Caterpillar marine power systems," Douglas Oberhelman, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the company's Engine Products Division," said. Caterpillar said it already sells 27 different engine models and sells more marine diesel engines over 250 bhp than any other manufacturer in the world. The addition of Sabre Engines Ltd. will add to Caterpillar's offering of marine power systems below 300 bhp.

The Delaware River Pilots Association recently contracted with Carey's Diesel to repower a vessel with a pair of Isotta Fraschini marine diesel engines, rated at 550 hp @ 2,400 rpm. This is the third vessel the Pilots Association has chosen to repower using Isotta Fraschini engines. The first Isotta Fraschini repowers were two 56,000-lb. vessels named Wilmington and Delaware. Wilmington's two 8V-72T Detroit Diesel two-cycle, eight cylinder engines were replaced with two V1308T2 MLH Isotta Fraschini four-stroke, V-8 cylinder marine diesel engines. Delaware's two 8V-92 Detroit Diesel two-cycle, eight cylinder engines were replaced with a pair of V1312T2 MLH Isotta Fraschini four-stroke, V-12 cylinder marine diesel engines.

Caterpillar's Engine Products Division has made available the option of extended service coverage (ESC) for Caterpillar engines and generator sets in the industrial, electric power, petroleum and marine markets. ESC can be purchased from Caterpillar dealers worldwide as of August 1. For the first time, Cat engine owners are able to choose a standardized Caterpillar ESC package that ensures their equipment will be protected by the global network of Cat dealers and technicians. ESC protects Cat owners against failure of covered components beyond expiration of the standard warranty period. Based on their preference and applications, customers can choose ESC coverage periods ranging from 24 to 60 months or from 1,500 to 18,000 operating hours depending on the engine model.

In recent months several diesel engine manufacturers have expanded their existing engine and generator ranges to include models suitable for workboat, large yacht and fishing vessel applications. This translates to more propulsion choices for boat builders and owners. Following is a look at four newly launched lines. Last September, MTU introduced the new 8000 series, moving the company into medium-speed engine market. The first engine of the line is the 20V 8000, which is capable of producing 9,000 kW at 1,150 rpm. The 20V is primarily intended to be used as main propulsion for large yachts and workboats, as well as for diesel-electric propulsion and onboard power supply systems in cruise ships.

Caterpillar has formed a new Marine Business Unit within the Engine Products Division. The reorganization is designed to strengthen the company's focus on marine customer needs and streamlines communication and response in all aspects of Caterpillar's global marine engine business. Leading the new organization is Jan Arnold, a veteran marketing and sales manager with 21 years experience working not only for Caterpillar, Inc. In addition to steering a team of special business managers focused on specific marine market sub-segments, Arnold will coordinate the efforts of five managers. Bill Heimann, a 27-year Caterpillar engineer with extensive experience in product design, applications and product support, will be marine product group manager.

Caterpillar's Engine Products Division has re-engineered its sales and marketing efforts with the formation of a new marine business unit within this division. The new marketing team, headed by 21-year veteran sales and marketing manager, Jan Arnold, includes more than 370 years of combined experience in the marine engine business. MR/EN recently spoke with Arnold to get her views on the market for engines in the marine industry, as well as her goals and plans for the future of this new consolidated group. It was a group that had a wide-variety of coverage, yet lacked a consolidated or home base - the biggest factor in Caterpillar's (CAT) decision to form a new marine business unit within its engine products division.

Caterpillar's Engine Products Division has introduced the availability of a new, totally electronic 3412E marine diesel engine with ratings from 503 to 1,400-bhp (375-1,044-bkW) for commercial marine application. As compared to previous Cat 3412C engines, 3412E has upgraded horsepower, improved emissions control and enhanced midrange performance - with faster acceleration and improved cruising characteristics. The engine's superior reserved power enables it to respond quickly to increased load caused by adverse conditions such as swift currents, loaded nets and hard turns. Test engines rated at 624-bhp (465-bkW) at 1,800 rpm are offering stellar results in two 70 ft. (21.3 m) twin-screw inland waterway tow boats - allowing for improved trip times.

Caterpillar's Engine Products Division offers a new totally electronic 3412E marine diesel engine with ratings from 530-1,400 bhp for commercial marine application. When compared to previous Cat 3412C engines, the 3412E has more horsepower, improved emissions control and dramatically enhanced midrange performance, with faster acceleration, more available power and torque and improved cruising characteristics. Superior reserve power allows the engine to respond quickly to increased load caused by adverse conditions such as swift currents, loaded nets and hard turns. Test engines rated 624 bhp at 1,800 rpm have shown excellent results in two 70 ft. (21.3 m) twin-screw inland waterway tow boats.

Caterpillar's Engine Products Division offers worldwide availability of a new totally electronic 3412E marine diesel engine with ratings from 530-1,400 bhp for commercial marine application. When compared to previous Cat 3412C engines, the 3412E has more horsepower, improved emissions control and dramatically enhanced midrange performance, with faster acceleration, more available power and torque and improved cruising characteristics. Superior reserve power allows the engine to respond quickly to increased load caused by adverse conditions such as swift currents, loaded nets and hard turns. Test engines rated 624 bhp at 1,800 rpm have shown excellent results in two 70 ft. twin-screw inland waterway tow boats.

To recognize the "best of the best" Cat Marine Dealer service technicians, Caterpillar Engine Products Division developed the TEC Masters Top Gun Competition. Throughout the past year, 211 North American Cat Marine Dealer service technicians completed three training modules on electronic diesel engine systems. The 19 scoring the highest competed against each other in a national finals competition that included a written exam, hands-on diesel engine troubleshooting and a test on customer service skills. The day-long event provided contestants with 45 minutes to correctly troubleshoot twin "bugged" Cat electronic engines aboard a mid-sized sportfishing boat. An example of the problem they were faced with was low power. They needed to identify the problem and correct it.

Caterpillar Inc. has acquired Sabre Engines Ltd., a family-owned company in the U.K. specializing in high-performance marine diesel engines. "Caterpillar is proud to announce this acquisition and welcomes Sabre into the Caterpillar family," said Douglas R. Oberhelman, Caterpillar vice-president with responsibility for the company's Engine Products Division. "Sabre is a well-managed company with dedicated people, state-of-the-art design and technology, and a solid customer base. Sabre has had an established Cooperation Agreement with Perkins Engines Company Ltd. since 1991, whereby Perkins sells core engines to Sabre for marinization.