Caterpillar reaffirms recent $1 million commitment to Purdue by establishing office at Convergence Center

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) on Tuesday (April 4) formally opened an office at the Convergence Center in Discovery Park District at Purdue to establish a permanent presence near campus and reaffirm its recent $1 million commitment to the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.

Caterpillar, a longtime corporate supporter of the university, made its gift to the Polytechnic Institute – which was first announced in December 2021 – to name a laboratory in the former Engineering and Polytechnic Gateway Complex, now called Dudley Hall and Lambertus Hall. The newly named Caterpillar Smart Foundry represents a cornerstone element of the Purdue Polytechnic Smart Learning Factory.

“We envision these two new buildings as a flagship component of Purdue’s growing campus landscape,” said Daniel Castro-Lacouture, dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. “This collaboration with Caterpillar will help transform our concept into reality. It gives us one more piece of an innovative project that we believe represents a leading design for teaching, learning, research and engagement on a university campus.”

The new office at Convergence represents Caterpillar’s first official presence near Purdue’s campus. The company, which has a facility in Lafayette, is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.

“For decades, Caterpillar has had a successful relationship with Purdue University,” said Karl Weiss, senior vice president of the Integrated Components and Solutions Division at Caterpillar. “This relationship strengthens and aligns the innovative capabilities of both organizations involved by allowing new ideas and knowledge to easily flow from initial research into application.”

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

About Caterpillar

With 2022 sales and revenues of $59.4 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, Caterpillar has been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and is committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. The company’s innovative products and services, backed by its global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – construction industries, resource industries and energy and transportation – and provides financing and related services through its financial products segment. Learn more by visiting caterpillar.com or joining the conversation on the company’s social media channels.

Writer: Aaron Martin

Media contact: Derek Schultz, schul221@purdue.edu