Caterpillar’s mining division head Steve Wunning has announced
his retirement from the company, and will step down early next year.
The manufacturer has already appointed current group
president Ed Rapp as Wunning’s replacement.
In a Caterpillar career
spanning 41 years of outstanding service, Steve played a crucial role in the
development and success of Cat Logistics and our product support business,” Cat
CEO Doug Oberhelman said.
“In addition, Steve’s
executive leadership and long-term vision was critical to Caterpillar’s largest ever acquisition in 2011, the purchase of Bucyrus International. That
acquisition positions Caterpillar with and industry-leading range of surface
and underground mining products and solutions for global mining customers.
It’s no secret the mining industry has gone
through a tough period the last couple years. In the face of that challenging
environment, Steve has provided outstanding leadership and guidance for our
global mining employees, dealers and customers, and his acute focus on cost
management will have us ready for the mining upturn,” Oberhelman added.
Following Wunning’s
retirement from the position Rapp, who currently resides in Singapore and
oversees Cat’s construction industries, will relocate to Peoria, Illinois.
“Ed has led the
reinvigoration around the world of our construction business, which has
resulted in improved profitability and performance in recent years,” Oberhelman
said.
“He’s also provided
outstanding leadership in developing a strong core of local leaders across the
Asia Pacific region, setting the stage for our future growth and success in
that part of the world.”
Cat has also carried out a
number of other changes at the top, with Cat customer and dealer support head
Stu Levenick stepping down, and Cat’s head of Solar Turbines, Tom Pellette,
moving up to replace Rapp’s now empty role.