Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Donald V. Fites
Caterpillar Tractor Company
1990–1999
1990–1999
Caterpillar Tractor Company
1990–1999
1990–1999
- Industry: Construction & Real Estate
- Era: 1990
During his tenure as CEO, Fites grew Caterpillar, the world’s #1 producer of earth-moving machinery, from a $10 billion company to a $20 billion plus company. Fites successfully implemented a $1.8 billion modernization program to cut costs and raise profits. Fites’ campaign to decentralize Caterpillar and motivate managers by tying their compensation to return on asset targets was hugely successful.
Personal
- Born-Died: 1934
- Birthplace: Indiana
- Race: White
- Gender: Male
- Father: Farmer / Rancher
Education / Military
- Graduate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Undergraduate: Valparaiso University