Perkins, a Caterpillar subsidiary that makes diesel engines, recently reached a big milestone with the production of its 20 millionth engine.
The 20 millionth Perkins engine, a 1206 two-stage turbo Tier 4 diesel engine, rolled off the assembly line at the company’s manufacturing facility in Peterborough, UK, eighty-one years after the brand was founded.
At a small celebratory ceremony attended by roughly 70 employees, Vice President Ramin Younessi said, “Twenty million Perkins engines is a huge achievement of which we’re all very proud.” “Perkins is now one of the industry’s leading suppliers of off-highway diesel and gas engines.” Our engines are produced on four continents and are used in over 800 various applications in the construction, power generating, agricultural, material handling, industrial, and marine markets.
“Our global manufacturing facilities have all contributed to this 20 million milestone for the Perkins brand, for which I extend my sincere thanks to the team,” Younessi said. “Of course, our global customer base has made their contribution as well, by continuing to value their ongoing relationships with us as their power provider, as much as we value our partnerships with them.”
- Perkins engines have been produced in large numbers, with at least 4.5 million still in use.
- Perkins’ production plants in Peterborough and Stafford, the United Kingdom; Griffin, Georgia, the United States; Curitiba, Brazil; and Wuxi, China, have the potential to produce 800,000 engines each year.
- Perkins engines are used in over 800 different applications worldwide by major equipment manufacturers in the construction, power generation, agricultural, material handling, industrial, and marine markets.
- Perkins is a global leader in off-highway diesel and gas engines with outputs ranging from 4 to 2000 kW (5 to 2800 horsepower).
Are Perkins diesel engines any good?
They have a high level of dependability and efficiency. When you buy a Perkins marine engine, you can count on these four features to come standard.
Water pumps with gear drives provide lower maintenance costs and less downtime.
Does Caterpillar own Perkins engines?
Perkins, a world leader in diesel and gas engines, has been offering the most comprehensive range of innovative and reliable power solutions tailored to meet the precise requirements of our customers since 1932.
Caterpillar Inc. owns Perkins Engines Company Limited, which has plants and offices in Brazil, China, India, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
PRODUCT OFFERINGS
Perkins manufactures diesel and gas engines in the 4-2000 kW/5-2800 hp range, with a capacity of up to 800,000 units per year, for the following markets:
- Perkins engines can be found in telehandlers, access platforms, excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, compressors, and any other type of construction machine. Compact designs with great power densities characterize these engines.
- Perkins electric power engines are capable of operating in the toughest of locations and under the most demanding situations. These engines provide instantaneous response and thousands of hours of trouble-free operation.
- Agriculture – Whether it’s for farm applications, forestry, or lawn and garden maintenance. Perkins offers a wide choice of dependable engines that fulfill various emissions regulations and have a low total cost of ownership.
- Perkins engines are well-suited to the diverse demands of the rental industry, producing class-leading power in everything from tiny welders, aerial work platforms, and power generators to dewatering pumps and earthmoving equipment.
- Marine – Perkins engines provide extra power for on-board electrical generation and power commercial vessels and leisure crafts. They provide marine clients with dependable power, longevity, and low noise and pollution.
WHY PERKINS
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users respect Perkins’ trusted reliability and customised technology-powered solutions as a leading manufacturer of industrial engines. Perkins works closely with its customers to provide engines that are exactly tailored to their needs.
Perkins’ global product support network, which includes 3,500 distribution parts and service facilities, ensures that all of its engines remain operational wherever they are utilized.
Did Caterpillar buy Perkins?
Caterpillar Inc. confirmed on Thursday that it had completed its long-rumored acquisition of Perkins Engines, a LucasVarity Plc diesel engine subsidiary, in a $1.325 billion deal.
The addition of Perkins to Caterpillar’s current engine business will create a global full-line manufacturer of reciprocating and turbine engines, according to Caterpillar. “Caterpillar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Donald V. Fites said, “The combination of Caterpillar and Perkins strengthens our strategic position in the global engine business, ensures our ability to leverage critical engine technologies for future leadership, and allows us to compete with other full-line producers.” “Caterpillar will leverage its financial, technical, and logistical skills to help Perkins expand its product line with new offerings, applications, and technology. Because our firms have such a good strategic match, this is a natural extension of our goal to be a worldwide leader—and to create value for our shareholders—by making strategic investments in or around our core businesses.”
“According to Victor A. Rice, CEO of LucasVarity, “the on-highway and off-highway sectors of the diesel engine business are converging, driven mostly by growing emissions legislation.” “Perkins has a minor on-highway presence, whereas Caterpillar is a full-line engine manufacturer dedicated to creating small- to medium-sized diesel engines, which is Perkins’ size range. Caterpillar is uniquely positioned to carry Perkins ahead as a highly successful engine manufacturer long into the twenty-first century.”
Perkins’ facilities and activities in Peterborough, Stafford, and Shrewsbury, England, as well as its involvement in various worldwide alliances, are among the assets Caterpillar will acquire under the terms of the agreement. The deal goes into effect on February 1, 1998, pending LucasVarity’s shareholders’ approval and other relevant approvals.
“Caterpillar group president Richard L. Thompson stated, “Perkins’ product line of 200 hp and smaller engines is an exceptional addition to Caterpillar’s engine business.” “The addition of those engines will improve our ability to sell engines to others as well as power our own equipment. We are familiar with Perkins engines as a long-time customer.” When sales to F.G. Wilson (which Caterpillar owns jointly with Emerson Electric) are included, Caterpillar is Perkins’ largest customer, according to Thompson. Perkins also receives parts distribution via Caterpillar’s logistics business. “Michael J. Baunton, managing director of Perkins Engines, stated, “I’m quite happy with this merger, which will bring together complementary technology and engine business knowledge to enable Perkins and Caterpillar to service customers and grow in ways neither of us could without.” “Perkins gains access to Caterpillar’s financial, technological, and logistical strengths and resources, allowing it to continue to expand and improve.” Caterpillar engine sales make up nearly a quarter of the company’s total revenues, which were over $16.5 billion in 1996.
Who is the largest diesel engine manufacturer in the world?
Cummins’ (NYSE:CMI) engine market leadership is one of the company’s most important competitive advantages. It is the world’s largest diesel engine producer, and most of the trucks on North American roads today are powered by its engines.
Where are Perkins engines used?
Perkins diesel engines are used for continuous power generation in the industrial, agricultural, construction, material handling, marine, and power generation markets, while Perkins gas-based engines (natural gas, landfill gas, digester gas, bio gas, and mine gas) are used for intermittent power generation.
During the 1950s and early 1960s, Perkins’ 4.99 1.6 litre (99 cubic inch) and P4C engines, which produced 45 or 60 hp (45 kW), were popular in Europe and Israel for taxis and commercially driven cars; many cars, including American imports, were retrofitted with these engines for taxi use, using Hunter NV of Belgium kits. In the 1960s, Perkins engines were also standard equipment in Jeeps and Dodge pickups in the United States. They were also popular in European trucks from its original customer, Commer, as well as other manufacturers.
Despite its in-line six-cylinder architecture, the Perkins 6.354 medium duty engine was meant to be compact enough to replace petrol/gasoline V8 engines in trucks. It had a small jackshaft driven by the timing gears for the auxiliary drive, and the oil pump was powered by a quill shaft so it could run auxiliary equipment at engine speed with easy couplings. It produced 112 horsepower (84 kW) in early years (eventually rising to 120 hp).
Perkins built engines for JCB until 2004, but since then, JCB has built their own engines.
What color are Perkins engines?
Perkins Marine Blue paint is now available in a compact 12 ounce spray can, thanks to popular demand. This is the Perkins OEM color for all Perkins marine engines manufactured between the late 1960s and the mid 1990s. The 4.108, 4.154, 4.236, and 6.354 engines are among these maritime engines.
Where are Caterpillar engines manufactured?
Hydraulic excavators, track-type tractors, wheel loaders, soil compactors, motor graders, paving products, medium and large diesel engines, and generator sets are among Caterpillar’s primary goods made in China. Caterpillar also produces components in China at a number of locations.
Caterpillar is committed to offering world-class goods and technology solutions to our Chinese clients in collaboration with our dealers and suppliers.
When did Caterpillar acquire Perkins engines?
The diesel engine was a heavy, slow-revving workhorse at the time, and in the eyes of the motor industry, it was the poor relation of the petrol engine. Charles reasoned that by redesigning it as a high-speed vehicle, he could give it the performance of a gasoline vehicle while saving money on maintenance.
In turn, the enterprising Frank saw the impact that such an engine would have on the automobile industry, and he went to work aggressively marketing it. He recognized that Peterborough’s outstanding transportation ties would result in speedy deliveries, allowing him to keep his clients’ waiting times to a minimal.
The Vixen, a four-cylinder high-speed diesel engine, debuted shortly after the firm was created. The Wolf, a more powerful variant, was developed later, and Humber began using it in its popular Commer trucks.
Humber was the company’s first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
“To achieve the most efficient and effective engine integration, Perkins engineers still confer face to face with equipment makers, just as they did in the 1930s.” Product marketing manager Mike Cullen
A growing company
The company manufactured only 35 engines in its first year, all of which were destined for trucks and cars. At the 1933 Commercial Vehicle Exhibition, one of them was on display. Perkins became the first business to hold six world diesel speed records over various distances three years later at the Brooklands circuit in Surrey. With the arrival of the diesel engine, the industry was able to quickly expand into the agricultural sector.
Production was relocated to the Eastfield location near Peterborough in 1947. However, the focus was on expansion, and Simpson and Co. of India became the first of hundreds of licensees and distributors around the world six years later. Perkins was on its way to become the multibillion-dollar corporation it is today.
Manufacturing and components distribution centers would be built throughout Europe, North and South America, and Asia during the next few decades. More than 3,500 stores were signed up by distributors in 171 countries.
Today, a globally varied and highly experienced team of employees understands the unique issues that your region and company face. We remain focused, as Frank was, on fast, efficient delivery thanks to our modern manufacturing facilities and distribution centers positioned across the world.
International engineering giant
Perkins now operates in five major markets, in addition to its primary focus on the automotive and agriculture sectors:
Links with other multinational engineering behemoths have helped the company develop its engine portfolio, unrivaled technical competence, and global reach throughout the years, most notably Caterpillar’s acquisition of Perkins in December 1997.
We have the potential to produce up to 800,000 units per year at our production facilities across the world, ensuring Perkins maintains one of the world’s top providers of diesel and gas engines in the 4-2000 kW (5-2800 hp) sector.
A modern company with traditional values
Perkins has a long and illustrious history. On four continents, we now have manufacturing and parts plants. However, we maintain our initial concentration on engine development and manufacturing, as well as our commitment to using the best and most up-to-date technology to improve our products on a continuous basis. We continue to collaborate closely with our customers throughout the world to develop the best and most reliable solutions.
Frank and Charles may not recognize the scale and diversity of the business that has evolved out of their original concept today. But they’d fit right in with our attitude, beliefs, consistently excellent performance, and commitment to putting the client first in everything we do.