Caterpillar
Corporate Bias Rating
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Risk Level:
Summary:
Caterpillar is Lower Risk. The company does not yield to political activism in shaping corporate governance, preventing initiatives that potentially alienate consumers, divide employees, and harm shareholders. The company elevates merit, excellence, and integrity ahead of race and identity-based policies. Caterpillar does not embrace corporate initiatives that redirect its central focus from business goals to partisan policies and divisive issues. This approach protects free exercise, free speech, and free enterprise.
View Full Corporate Bias Ratings ReportHas canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.
Caterpillar has not publicly canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (1).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Caterpillar does not match gifts to “tithes, church-related commitments, religious organizations classified by the IRS” (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against viewpoint or other discrimination and/or are ideological in nature.
Caterpillar does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Caterpillar had a history of using its reputation to support divisive causes, organizations, and policies and scored a 40 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index. However, in September 2024, the company pledged to have all speakers and events “approved at the executive level to ensure that nothing is divisive or politically charged” (1)(2)(3). Caterpillar’s CEO, James Umpleby III, is a member of the Business Roundtable and signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders (4)(5). Otherwise, there are no publicly known cases of the company using its reputation to advance ideological causes or policies (6).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Caterpillar had a history of using its funds to support divisive causes, organizations, and policies. However, in September 2024, the company pledged to no longer donate to any divisive events (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). The company has not used corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies (8).
Board Bias
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CEO of Caterpillar
D. James Umpleby III
Summary:
Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caterpillar is a member of the Fortune 250 operating in the Capital Goods industry. D. James Umpleby III serves as CEO/President and Chairman, leading the company’s C-suite executive team and the board of directors. Amongst these teams, the collective leadership is responsible for $282,716 to Republican causes and $66,100 to Democratic causes. Under their tenure, Caterpillar currently holds a 'Lower Risk' risk rating.
View Full Board Bias ReportPolitical Contributions of Leadership:
$282,716
$66,100
Republican
Democrat
China Risk Database
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Total Estimated Sanctions (3-year Avg.)
$2,198,342,905
Average Annual Revenue
Global
$51,965,666,667
China Revenue
21.95%
$11,406,666,667
Annual Average of Total Assets
Global
$79,592,000,000
China Assets
22.18%
$17,651,089,860
Shareholder Proposals
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| Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/12/24 | Governance | John Chevedden | Independent Board Chairman | Against | 31.17% |
| 6/12/24 | Governance | Myra K. Young | Lobbying Disclosure | Against | 22.98% |
| 6/12/24 | Governance | National Center for Public Policy Research | Director Board Service | Against | 1.54% |
| 6/14/23 | Governance | Myra K. Young | Provide Disclosure on Direct and Indirect Lobbying | Against | 28.90% |
| 6/14/23 | Environmental | John Chevedden | Report on how Caterpillar Lobbying and Policy Activities Align with the Goal of the Paris Agreement | Against | 28.10% |
| 6/14/23 | Social | Wespath Benefits and Investments | Report on Business Activities in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas | Against | 14.18% |
| 6/14/23 | Social | National Center for Public Policy Research | Audit Analyzing the Impacts of the Company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies | Against | 1.70% |
| 6/8/22 | Environmental | As You Sow | Report on Long-Term Greenhouse Gas Targets Aligned with Paris Agreement | Against | 95.50% |
| 6/8/22 | Social | Myra K. Young | Report on Lobbying | Against | 44.28% |
| 6/8/22 | Governance | John Chevedden | Special Meetings - Reduce Ownership Req. to 10% | Against | 43.22% |
| 6/8/22 | Social | Wespath Benefits & Investments | Report on Activities in Conflict-Affected Areas | Against | 10.37% |
In the News
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Caterpillar
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Caterpillar