Caterpillar Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois (Sept. 3, 2024) – Caterpillar Inc. today marked a significant milestone at the University of Illinois Research Park – 25 years of the Champaign Innovation Center.
Caterpillar first opened an office at the Urbana-Champaign campus in 1999 to work with Caterpillar product groups, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and University departments. Since that time, the Champaign Innovation Center has developed into a leading engineering hub for virtual product development, advanced simulation, data analytics and design solutions, while simultaneously contributing to Caterpillar’s recruiting efforts and talent pipeline building.
“We are proud of our long-standing relationship with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Research Park,” said Otto Breitschwerdt, Caterpillar Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President. “The Champaign Innovation Center is a place where academia and industry meet, and these diverse perspectives result in the development of new and exciting technologies.”
Caterpillar has engaged students across campus to tackle the company’s core innovation challenges, providing experiential learning opportunities through an apprenticeship approach. Students learn and grow alongside full-time Caterpillar professionals in Champaign and on site at other company locations. The model has provided a blueprint replicated by many other corporate innovation centers at Research Park.
“This milestone anniversary signifies the deeply intentional and impactful relationship between Caterpillar and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, truly one of our cornerstone industry partners,” said Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “As we look ahead to the future of innovation, we are confident that, together, we can provide opportunities for the next generation of talent and technology.”
The company marked the anniversary with a celebration at its Research Park offices, bringing back past interns and company alumni.
About Caterpillar Inc.
With 2023 sales and revenues of $67.1 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, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our 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 & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels at caterpillar.com/en/news/social-media.html.
About the Research Park at the University of Illinois
The Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a technology hub that cultivates startups and advances corporate innovation. Within the Research Park there are 120 companies employing both students and full-time technology professionals. More information at researchpark.illinois.edu.