Caterpillar reports record sales and profit for 4Q and full-year 2011

Driven by outstanding execution and stronger global demand, Caterpillar Inc. delivered record-breaking 2011 sales and revenues of $60.138 billion, an increase of 41 percent from $42.588 billion in 2010. Profit in 2011 was $4.928 billion, an increase of 83 percent from $2.700 billion in 2010. Profit per share of $7.40 was up 78 percent from $4.15 in 2010. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Bucyrus International, Inc., 2011 profit was $7.79 per share, up 88 percent from a year ago.

Fourth-quarter sales and revenues in 2011 were an all-time quarterly record at $17.243 billion, an increase of 35 percent compared with $12.807 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010. Fourth-quarter profit was $1.547 billion compared with $968 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Profit of $2.32 per share was 58 percent higher than the $1.47 per share in the fourth quarter of 2010.    

"Our strategy is squarely focused on customers, and in 2011 our employees, suppliers and dealers delivered.  We improved product quality, invested significantly in manufacturing capacity and product development, and improved our market position.  We completed two large acquisitions—Bucyrus and Motoren-Werke Mannheim Holding GmbH (MWM)—in important growth industries that are a great strategic fit and provide our customers an even broader range of products," said Caterpillar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Oberhelman.  

"The 2011 increase in sales and revenues was the largest percentage increase in any year since 1947, and much of it was driven by demand for Caterpillar products and services outside of the United States.  As a result, 2011 was a record-breaking year for U.S. exports at nearly $20 billion, which supported thousands of jobs in the United States, demonstrating the tangible benefits of free trade.  Sales and export growth creates jobs, both in the United States and around the world.  Not including acquisitions, our global workforce grew by more than 14,000 in 2011, and since the start of 2010, we have increased our workforce by more than 33,000, with more than 14,000 of those jobs in the United States," Oberhelman added. BD+C